OMG, txt spk is OK.

Students in New Zealand can now use "text-speak" on national exams, according to a ruling by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. That means phrases and spellings commonly associated with text messaging and Internet chat -- such as "lol" instead of "laugh out loud," "2" instead of "to/too," and "4" instead of "for" -- are just as acceptable on tests as an actual word or spelling.

Although the New Zealand Qualifications Authority stated that it still recommends the use of proper English, the decision worried some members of the Penn State community.

Many of Penn State's professors in the English and communications departments said the allowance of text-speak deteriorates the value of the English language.

"It's frightening," said Lyn Freymiller, a communications arts and sciences professor. "There aren't too many places left for proper spelling and grammar, and they seem to be diminishing as a result. I definitely think academics should be reserved as a bastion of proper English."

Michael Anesko, an English professor, said even though language is always evolving, it is still necessary to use appropriate English when in a classroom setting.

"We have an obligation to teach the standard idiom, not to resort to slang," Anesko said. "You need to consider the message and consider the medium. Just because it's appropriate for text messaging to peers, you need to recognize proper English when writing and speaking formally."

Outside of the English and communications departments, other teachers said they also fear the move will diminish the clarity with which students learn, speak and write English.

"[The ruling] represents the decline of standards of the English language as we know it," James Strauss, a biology professor, said. "The written word and grammar are records of how we communicate. As soon as we allow this, a lower standard is set."

However, not everybody feels that allowing text-speak on exams is necessarily a bad thing. Several students and teachers said the change could be beneficial.

"Text-speak gets to the point and saves time," Dirk Mateer, an economics professor, said. "I would never penalize a student for the use of text-speak on an exam."

He brought up the point that some teachers might not be familiar with text-speak, and therefore the potential for misunderstanding exists.

"I think that part of the reluctance among faculty to accept text-speak is that many do not text message or use chat and therefore do not understand why students naturally default to text-speak in a time-compressed exam environment," Mateer said.

Ed Barbieri (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said he recognizes the classroom benefits of text-speak.

"It's a bit informal," he said. "But it can save time, and that can't hurt on an exam."