Practicing Japanese on Mixi just got a lot harder. Now that people can use "emoticons" (絵文字) they can now type without using real words. Even in English, it's bad, but it's worse in Japanese for me.
I can already see that girls are the worst offenders with this stuff... Don't deny it, ladies. You know it's true.
SMS type is just as bad in my opinion -- but in a different way.
If you're using a phone or some other portable messaging device, I can tolerate SMS type. However, I see people using it in e-mails (actual e-mails written at a computer) and IM clients.
I think everybody is messed up on the English Slang icon. I think slang is not the same as "coined word". Plus, I don't think "emoticon" is a slang, or even a coined word. LOL.
You'll probably be happier reading Japanese that's been written by others. As far as I know, after a certain
age it's seen as more cool not to use too much slang or
icons, etc. But it can be fun if you want to keep a
young mind. :)
As you know, emoticons are added to the end of a sentences to express emotions. I would say, these emotions that expressed by emoticons are understood by only Japnese or foreigner who deeply know Japanese culture.
I think emoticons are sort of artistic..
By the way, will you please let me ask a question?
Is "emoticon" the word you made up or the word English speaking people use?