An SFU rsrchr wants 2 know how u txt 2 get yr msg across. If you can read that, you may want to take part in a study looking at the language of text messaging.
Text4Science is a collaboration between researchers at Burnaby's Simon Fraser University, the Université de Montréal and the University of Ottawa, and they want people to donate their text messages to science.
"We hope to see how text messages change with languages and dialects," said Christian Guilbault, an associate professor with SFU's French department.
Guilbault said the project's first phase found differences in texting depending on the type of French spoken, and now researchers want to see if the same thing is happening with English-speaking people.
"There are some differences between the French used in France and in Quebec, so we expect to see significant difference between different dialects in English," he said.
According to Guilbault, people who use abbreviations and shortcuts while texting are not lazy illiterates; they're creative and imaginative, BTW.
To get involved, forward your text message 202202 via cellphone (your regular charges apply).
There's also an online survey to complete at www. text4science.
SHARING CULTURES
The South Burnaby Neighbourhood House is holding a Sharing Cultures dinner on Friday, Jan. 27.
The dinners were designed to showcase various cultures, along with their cuisine, and the first one for 2012 will be Chinese.
The dinner is at the Gordon Presbyterian Church, at 7457 Edmonds St. Doors open at 5: 30 p.m., and dinner is served between 6 and 6: 30 p.m.
There will be fried rice, chicken with soy sauce, and gai lan (Chinese broccoli) with mushrooms. There will also be entertainment.
The cost is $3 for adults and $1 for children. To register, call 604-431-0400.
LITERACY WEEK
Literacy Week is fast approaching, and Glenwood Elementary is inviting some well-known Burnaby folks to read to students on Jan. 26.
Mayor Derek Corrigan, school trustee Baljinder Narang and Chelsie Isobe, the school's liaison officer, are among the guest readers.
"(The students) get to meet members of our community and see other adults that value literacy," said school librarian Lisa Nerpio.
This is the school's first guest-reader event. Family Literacy Week is a Canada-wide initiative that runs from Jan. 23 to 27.
The week highlights ways families can introduce informal learning through play and activities. For more information, go to abclifeliteracy. ca.
FRENCH INFO
Speaking of schools, there is a parents' information session on French immersion on Thursday, Jan. 19 at Alpha Secondary.
The district is holding the event to let families know about available French immersion programs.
The session is at 7 p.m., and there is child-minding available and activities to keep the kids busy. Alpha is at 4600 Parker St.
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