SMS hrts Lit lang

VILNIUS - Lithuaniansshould protect their language by using Lithuanianletters in SMS texts in order not to become hostages of the convenience offered by mobile telecommunications, said Culture Minister Jonas Jucas on Feb 20.

Jucas spoke in response to media reports suggesting that SMS messages containing Lithuanian letters 's including characters with diacritical signs - could cost twice as much to send as messages containing Latin characters only.

According to the Communications Regulatory Authority, standards of mobile telephones determine that Lithuanianletters contain more information, therefore, SMS containing diacritical signs may include fewer words. According to the individual price plan, the sender may have to pay for two SMS if the message is longer than 160 symbols.

At the same time, the authority said that in most cases SMS are written without Lithuanian diacritical signs due to the convenience and speed of avoiding Lithuanian characters.

The Culture Ministry said that Jucas planned to initiate a discussion among executives and specialists of mobile telecommunications companies, the Lithuanian Language Commission and the ministry in an effort to search for opportunities to promote the use of Lithuanian letters in SMS.

"Amid advancement of technologies, we should remain literate and foster our language rather than become hostages of conveniences of mobile telecommunications. If there are technical possibilities, it would be great to change the current situation in a way that mobile connection clients were not forced to give up Lithuaniancharacters in SMS communication," said the culture minister.