Here, because, according to science, you should not use too many abbreviations in your messages

What really communicates a message full of abbreviations like “cmq”, “qlcs”, “nn”, “resp”? In an era in which digital communication is omnipresent, abbreviation seems like a harmless habit, if not necessary. But according to a recent academic research signed by Sam Maglio, associate professor of marketing and psychology at the University of Toronto, These abbreviations can compromise the sense of authenticity of the message and the quality of relationships interpersonal.

The results, published on The Conversation, They question a widespread prerequisite: that abbreviation is equivalent to simply writing more quickly. Actually, Those who receive messages full of acronyms and severed words tend to perceive them as less sincereand to believe who writes them less involved.

The initial starting point arises from a personal observation of Maglio himself: why did the messages of his brother, full of abbreviations always play a little cold? From there a series of experiments conducted together with colleagues Melody Ko and Yiran Zhang was born, with the aim of analyzing the impact of abbreviations on the emotional perception of the reader.

In an investigation conducted on a sample of 150 US adults (aged 18 to 65), 90% of respondents said they usually use abbreviations in messages, e 84% believed that this did not negatively influence communication. But the experimental data denied these beliefs.

In a series of laboratory tests, 1,170 participants evaluated couples of almost identical messages, differentiated only by the linguistic form: one written in extensive form, the other full of common abbreviations. In all cases, Those who received the abbreviated version considered the sender less sincere and the less worthy message.

The effect proved to be transversal: Age, content of the message and type of relationship between the two interlocutors made no difference. Even among close or boyfriend friends, abbreviated messages were less authentic.

For example, in an experiment of Speed ​​dating Conducted online on Valentine’s Day, the participants received “romantic” or at least “interested” messages, with or without abbreviations. Those who had received messages contracted were much less inclined to continue contact. The reason? “It seemed that the other is not putting enough commitment”have reported many.

In another test, the researchers replied the investigation into Discord, a platform widely used by young, digital natives, who are presumed to be more comfortable with abbreviated language. Also there, the requests written for extensive received more answers and more attention. This suggests that This is not just a generational or communicative style issue.

According to Sam Maglio, “Abbreviations were born as a practical solution in a time to write on the phone was complicated: the same button had to be pressed to obtain a letter three times. But Today we really don’t really need it». Despite this, they continue to proliferate.

The point, explain the authors, is not that every abbreviation compromises friendship. It is the repeated and systematic use of abbreviations that send An implicit message: “It is not worth dedicating yourself more time or more jokes”. And if this message passes too often, the cumulative effect can erode the sense of connection.