Writing Patterns of Persian Language in Instant Messaging Applications (A case study of Telegram application)

The recent exponential growth and development in communication technology are markedly influencing the forms of writing specially in social networks and instant messaging applications (IMs). These forms of writing do not follow formal norms and a certain fuzziness is observable in them. In order to understand changes in writing forms and patterns, this study made use of qualitative content analysis and as such it analyzed almost 6000 messages from four channels and one “group” in telegram instant messaging application: two entertainment and joke channels, two channels dedicated to formal information and news, and a family group. Analysis of the messages in this application demonstrates different patterns such as representation of verbal language in writing, various forms of abbreviating, wrong spellings, different styles of writing, which can be categorized into two groups. First, those patterns which do not have an equivalent in formal writing. Second, patterns which somehow represent verbal structures. This study shows that patterns of writing in these instant messaging applications are not merely a new style of writing, but many of them are strategic mechanisms to convey meaning and intonation, representing the verbal form in written language, maintaining language economy and also bypassing filtering systems. At the same time, findings show that these styles of writing are observed only in entertainment channels and family and friend groups, and formal channels in instant messaging applications follow the standard norms.