Język i funkcje krótkich wiadomości tekstowych (esemesów)

In the era of rapidly developing media, Short Message Service (SMS) could be called a mass phenomenon. Unlimited by distance and highly effective, SMS communication epitomises the modern lifestyle. SMS texts are expressive and epigrammatic (thus creating multiple meanings), reflecting the changes in interpersonal communication that are taking place in high-tech societies. SMS texts could be treated as a fashion fad, but as they also allow for instantaneous communication one of their most important function is to provide emotional comfort. The article makes an attempt at analysing the language and culture of SMS with the focus on their inherent problems (such as conciseness or information redundancy). Hence, SMS texts are treated as rooted in modern social mores, setting new trends rather than being limited to a means of communication.