A message sent by a newly employed administrative assistant in Accra illustrates a growing challenge in Ghanaian workplaces: “Gud morning, pls note dat our meeting is tmrw @ 10. Tnx.”
The meaning is clear, but the style may be unsuitable for an official email and could influence how the writer’s professional ability is judged. As social media platforms change everyday communication, questions are emerging about whether their informal language is affecting workplace writing.
WhatsApp, Facebook, TikTok and other digital platforms have made communication faster and more immediate. Abbreviations such as “u”, “ur”, “pls” and “tnx”, as well as unconventional spelling and sentence structures, are now common online.
That does not necessarily mean users have weak grammar. Crystal (2011) describes internet communication as having developed its own linguistic practices, while McCulloch (2019) argues that digital language is used creatively to express meaning, emotion and social relationships. In Ghana’s multilingual society, online conversations may also include code-switching and indigenous expressions, reflecting linguistic flexibility rather than a decline in standards.
The difficulty begins when people carry informal habits into professional correspondence without adapting their language to the audience or purpose.
For example, “Pls send me d report asap. Tnx.” communicates the same basic request as “Kindly submit the report as soon as possible. Thank you.” However, the second version is more suitable for formal communication.
David Hymes (1972) described communicative competence as including the ability to understand when and how language should be used. A graduate may be highly effective in informal WhatsApp exchanges but struggle to write a memorandum because of difficulty changing register, rather than a complete lack of language knowledge.
Research also cautions against blaming social media alone. Plester, Wood and Joshi (2009) found positive links between children’s knowledge of text-message abbreviations and some literacy skills. Tagliamonte and Denis (2008) likewise found that instant messaging followed recognisable linguistic patterns instead of representing grammatical disorder. Although neither study focused specifically on Ghanaian workplaces, both challenge the belief that digital informality automatically damages conventional literacy.
In professional settings, accurate writing supports administration, accountability and credibility. An accountant must record financial transactions precisely. An administrative officer must distinguish between decisions already taken and actions still pending. An information technology officer must make clear whether a system failure continues or has been resolved.
The difference between “The payment has been approved” and “The payment will be approved” could alter a recipient’s understanding of a transaction’s status. Poor punctuation can similarly create ambiguity in contracts, official notices and administrative instructions.
Universities should therefore connect Communication Skills teaching to workplace tasks, including emails, memoranda, reports and minutes, rather than relying mainly on examinations. Employers can reinforce those skills through clear communication guidelines, constructive feedback and professional development.
Informal language still has a legitimate place in personal conversation. The central requirement is knowing when professional standards apply. Good communication is not about using formal English everywhere, but selecting language appropriate to the audience, purpose and circumstances.
