Level of English on Internet Message Boards. Is "Txt Spk" a Good or Bad Thing?

[dj150888]

I'm just wondering what everyone thinks of how bad spelling, punctuation and grammar is on the internet. I, for one, absolutely hate having to spend ten minutes attempting to decipher a message that would've taken the originator an extra thirty seconds to type out properly?

I understand that this is an international board and I take into account that for many, English is not the mother tongue, but if anything, I find the non-native speakers are much less guilty of this than those who have English as a first language. In fact, it saddens me to admit its mostly my age group who are responsible. I blame the "txt spk" style communication for the loss of writing skills.

Are we doomed to either lower ourselves to this horrible mutation of language or spend time trying to work out what the hell other people are saying?

The board I mainly use has a No "txt spk" rule, which I find tends to keep the level of conversation more understandable and doesn't put older people or people like myself, who just plain don't like bad English, off.

So, do you all think "txt spk" is a good thing or a bad thing on message boards? I think the majority will agree with me and 99% of disagreement will come from people under 25, but lets see where this goes.

[Mark Wilson]

wut r u tlkin bout?

[KeithBMI]

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

wut r u tlkin bout?

lol i no rite?

But seriously, I try to type out all of my sentences. I think the poster comes across as more intelligent.

[Mark Wilson]

Originally Posted by KeithBMI

lol i no rite?

rofl ur 2 funy

[dj150888]

....so far my last point has been supported quite well.

[Mark Wilson]

Keith you sold out on me!


Anyway, I'm with you two. Just busting your chops.

I'm a grammar freak. I text message a lot (upwards of 2,000 a month, easy) and I still type my full words, I use proper grammar, commas, apostrophes, the whole sh-bang.


k but srsly. *** r u tlkin bout?

[dj150888]

I just really don't see the benefit of it outside text messaging, even then, I'm one of the crowd who hates the idea so much that I'll write out the full words and punctuate it properly. Its sad, yes, but it makes me feel all warm inside!

[fenderhutz]

'Nuff Said

[dancehallclasher]

I don't think the internet has brought down the general level of literacy, it has just given the heretofore-unseen non-literate population a much broader medium for demonstrating their writing skills.

[FingeringAm]

Outside of Instant messaging or text messaging it is utterly ridiculous.

[Jereth]

Has anyone else actually heard people say, and yes I mean say, 'LOL' in person...
'Cos I have
I don't hang around with these people thank god...

But I do type out my sentences on the internet and stuff, but I understand text-speak's place.... IN TEXTS!
I do use it all the time in text messages, it is just convenience, but I'd feel like a fool typing on the a computer..

[Stumbo]

There's a list of over 100 abbreviations/slang words in a FAQ that are used extensively on TB. I've never seen anyone complain about them. They save time and are easy to type in. IMO, Txt Spk is just an extension of that type of communications.

It also demonstrates that English is full of words that have letters that add nothing to the pronunciation. Many people have proposed that English wud b much ezeer to lern if it wer mor fonetikly speld. If everyone wrote in txt spk, then it would "normal".

That being said, I'm not used to it, so I don't use it much. I even have an clam shell cell phone that I keep around because it open up into a miniature full keyboard so I can type as I do normally. If txt spk does become the norm, then the historical link with great works of literature would be less accessible as well.

[dj150888]

But on an internet board, especially one that spans the world, does it not make sense to you to use one standardised language? Call it prejudice if you will, but I automatically assume that if someone doesn't have the inclination to spell properly that its some sort of ape behind the computer screen. It may be wrong but I do associate bad and/or lazy spelling with low intelligence.

The only benefit mentioned seems to be a few seconds time saved, which I disagree with, I think this time is lost even moreso by those trying to read these messages. Does the refusal to type properly point to my generation just getting lazier?

I just think its a sad state of affairs when people can't be bothered (and thats what it boils down to) spending an extra few seconds to spell words properly, especially when asking for advice, to make it clearer to those who might read the message.

[bassist 4 life]

lulz, teh language of teh internetz.

[René_Julien]

Originally Posted by dj150888

I understand that this is an international board and I take into account that for many, English is not the mother tongue, but if anything, I find the non-native speakers are much less guilty of this than those who have English as a first language.

English isn't my native tongue.
I do type a lot of typos because of that and because I have slight dyslexia.
Luckily I also have OCB and spell check a lot, even go back editing and even give the reason in edit.

What I've been accused of many times is that I often use slang that isn't appropriate for a non-native-english speaking person.
But I have a pretty good ear (and eye) for english and to me it fluently translates to slang (or dialect) in my own language, so I translate back when I post something.
I mean words that between english speaking person can be distinguished if the person is from US, UK or Australia for example.
Sometimes it gets frowned upon.

Some slang words are a perfect translations for slang words in my own language, so I use them. I haven't got an english dialect to back me up, so I have to make up my own.

On the spelling thing, one thing makes me glad: I've seen many who have english as their first tongue and make more mistakes then me.

Originally Posted by dj150888

But on an internet board, especially one that spans the world, does it not make sense to you to use one standardised language? Call it prejudice if you will, but I automatically assume that if someone doesn't have the inclination to spell properly that its some sort of ape behind the computer screen. It may be wrong but I do associate bad and/or lazy spelling with low intelligence.

Why thank you. Perhaps I am an ape, who knows.
Mastering a language has nothing to do with intelligence (if we are talking about someones native language, mastering foreign languages perhaps has something to do with intelligence.)
I know you didn't implied that. I'm not putting words in your mouth.

These issues are the pros and cons of an international forum.





On the poll: I got confused and voted good.
I meant bad actually. I got confused after reading the OP.

Eh, one vote doesn't matter.

[Croox]

Text talk stays on my cell phone. leave the lol speak for 4chan and the 10yr olds that thrive there.

[afinalfantasy]

I hate when people use internet speak. It's annoying as hell and makes people look less mature.

[Atoz]

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

Keith you sold out on me!


Anyway, I'm with you two. Just busting your chops.

I'm a grammar freak. I text message a lot (upwards of 2,000 a month, easy) and I still type my full words, I use proper grammar, commas, apostrophes, the whole sh-bang.


k but srsly. *** r u tlkin bout?

I'm with you on this one. Proper capitalization, spelling, and punctuation on all text messages. I am amazed at your disclosure that you send upwards of 70 text messages a day, however.

[Captain Chaos]

wat?

[ryco]

Text talk doesn't bother me at all. I don't speak text. I think it's funny! I like to use good grammar/punctuation just 'cause I learned it -- might as well use it.

But it doesn't irk me in the least if others don't. When I communicate on boards I figure it's "spilling" instead of spelling. As long as I get the gist of what the writer is trying to get across, it's fine. I'm more into ideas than rules.

I'm not a big fan of emoticons at all. I avoided using them for a long time. I thought they were like the MTV of writing -- I needed 'em about as much as I needed a video to tell me the story of a song. I figured if a person writes well the appropriate emotion will be apparent. Not so. I use them now to avoid miscommunication and unintentional hurt feelings , anger .

Now, if I could just learn to type faster!