Literacy

[animelover32]

I right in slang every now and then. But I don't write you as u. Or are as r. I can be a bit of a grammer nazi. When I type and I see I mispelled something I usually go back and fix it. I'm definitly not the best speller in the world, but I'm not illiterate.

[MMM]

On a forum like this, where we only see each other's words, how you use language is how people will form an opinion of you. Fair or not, that's the way it is.

Because I want people to understand what I am saying, I write clearly without a lot of misspellings and slang.

I am sometimes surprised at how some posters here really butcher the English language. I cannot see how typing "PPPLLLLEEEAAAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ" is easier than typing "please". It's a style, and that's fine, but there is little value in being skilled in writing computer-speak, and great value in being able to write in proper English.

[Aota]

I read and write at a senior college level, or at least that's what my teacher says.

[yuujirou]

Originally Posted by MissMisa

I know that's the case. But I can't help instantly looking at a piece of slang text and thinking that way, it's just a habit now.

Why do people write in slang in the first place and why is it easier? Just because it's about 3 seconds quicker?

tehe x3
3 seconds, when typing..is a long time actually >.>'''


buuut nee~ i've noticed, that a lot of people tend to type the way they talk~
>.>"'
thus the incorrect syntax that is occasionally present in posts are due to the lack of a fundamental understanding of the english language >.>'''

buut meh :3
that's about the only excuse i can come up w/ for this internet illiteracy that so plagues all the forums >.>''
x3

^---not fully thought out, and at hte moment of typing it...it feels kinda shallow...but ..not in the mood to revise everything atm >.<'''
bells about to ring and school ish about to end~ <33

[Slykaz1]

Originally Posted by Amnell

Hehe...

Yeah, when I first started into chat rooms, I quickly learned all the abbreviations, acronyms, anime smilies, and slang terms. Then when I started on forums, I found out that using them in an intelligent conversation is a detriment to your position.

The big break for me from low literacy to "better" literacy was when I started learning Spanish, oddly enough. I found that understanding grammar in a different language helped me understand my own language's grammar better o_O . Odd, I know.

And don't feel embarrased.

Literacy matters... depending on what you're talking about and to whom. If someone like MMM completely ignored grammar, I wouldn't debate with him. Ever. I would think he was too stupid to REALLY know what he was talking about, and I would most likely get the impression that he was a twelve year old mimiking the things his parents tell him. I also don't like to RP with people who don't at least act like they have some semblance of literacy.

I know that sounds elitist of me, but hey :P .

Spanish really? Hmmm....I for one flunked spanish But I can read and write it. But then like in english many words even slang have different meanings.

I sometimes just write what I'm thinking in my head and it naturally comes out long versed. In the RP's, to me would depend if your mini RPing I can understand the slang put into it. But in the art of RP...well to me that's a whole other matter. It's like you can't savor the work if it's been butchered.

No. you don't sound like that, just someone who appreciates what they write.

[Amnell]

I sometimes modify my writing a little so sound more like how I speak. I suppose that might count as slang... I don't typically do it if I'm trying to say something important, though :P . I think my worst thing is my use of smiliies ^_^; . I have to remember not to use them in my essays for English class.

When I do use internet slang, it's usually sarcastically.

Other people that do it compulsively, though... It's bothersome to read their stuff.

Mer, I should have included the misuse of homophones in the op! Like its vs it's, their vs they're vs there, right vs write, our vs are, etc. That bugs me a lot, too.

MMM: That was well said.

[AmbeRz]

I use smilies often too, but If I want to be taken more seriously, I try not to use them...I dont think I've ever had to remind myself not to use them in my English essays though

Others have habits of typing in slang, I have a habit of typing in proper English..which is a better habit I guess ;]

[Tsuyako]

I used to use internet slang but then I stopped. I prefer writing properly because I find it is easier when talking to people who have English as their second language, plus I prefer it as I'm a writer and receive high grades in English class at school =]

[Amnell]

Originally Posted by AmbeRz

I use smilies often too, but If I want to be taken more seriously, I try not to use them...I dont think I've ever had to remind myself not to use them in my English essays though

Others have habits of typing in slang, I have a habit of typing in proper English..which is a better habit I guess ;]

Lucky... XD

I would have to agree.

As far as smilies go, I do have somewhat mixed feelings about them. On the one hand, they're not something you'll find in MLA Handbook Ver. 6, but on the other, they can serve to disambiguate a statement, even in serious conversation.

E.g., I can say:

That's great! (Which is ambiguous)
or
That's great! ^_^ (clearly happy)
or
That's great! -_- (clearly sarcastic)
or
That's great! <_<; ("awkward...")

and so on.

So, I'm kinda torn with smilies :P .

^ Hah, example of me making my writing sound like my speech: "kinda" probably isn't even a word outside of California and Northern Nevada :P .

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Amnell

That's great! (Which is ambiguous)
or
That's great! ^_^ (clearly happy)
or
That's great! -_- (clearly sarcastic)
or
That's great! <_<; ("awkward...")

.

Funny. There is nothing "clear" about the differences to me. (I guess the sarcastic one looks sarcastic, but I don't usually try and translate the smilies. Maybe I should.)