grammar and punctuation?
Hi. Do people think that grammar, punctuation and proper english are necessary and preferable on chat boards? Personally, i think it's alot more time and effort, to get the same point across. It may be my age, but on every other online chat and forum service i use, text speak is acceptable, as are multiple punctuation marks. What does everyone else think? And would you class abbreviations such as lol as acceptable? I just think it should be up to the person replying to the thread-as long as it's understandable of course.
Examples:
Yes, i fully agree with you. By the way, i was thinking the exact same thing, "laugh out loud!"
yh, i fully agree with u. btw, i was thinkin the exact same thing lol !
6 Comments:
I had trouble understanding the second version, so yes, I do think that grammar, punctuation and proper English are preferable on chat boards. Not everyone is familiar with text speak.
By ainenei, Jan 14 08 8:08 PM
The purpose of using proper English is to communicate effectively. When you use incorrect spelling, punctuation and grammar, it can obscure or change the meaning of what you want to say.
The problem is compounded when you consider that this is an international site and for many of our members, English is not their first language. When most people learn a foreign language, they learn the correct standards. It's hard enough trying to communicate in a foreign language without trying to cope with incorrect spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Chatspeak might means fewer keystrokes but at the cost of efficient communication. LOL also means little old lady, for example. Personally, I can't be bothered trying to decipher what is essentially a coded message. It might be quicker to write but it's not quicker to read.
And why use multiple punctuation marks? Does using five question marks make a question any more of a question? Multiple punctuation marks are redundant and visually annoying.
By MotherGoose, Jan 15 08 2:26 AM
grammar and punctuation is not a problem for people who are experienced on online discussion forums and chat threads...or even instant messaging or SMS.
you have to get a hang of things. even i was unaware of certain abbreviations and things that people used to type on chat threads. I gradually asked what a particular abbreviation meant and learnt!!!
that's how you go by.
p.s. i could have written the sentence that you have written as:
"ya, i fully agree wid u. btw i ws tinkin' d exct same ting. lol!!
By linkinparksid, Jan 15 08 7:00 AM
Simple answer, moderator or not, seeing the language destroyed like that frightens me. It is designed for instant messaging to save time and no longer needed for texts now they are predictive.
It's such a sad thing you've become so used to it you accept reading it unconditionally. Would you write a thesis like that?
By satguru, Jan 15 08 6:04 PM
English is the language in which Fun Trivia is conducted. Let's use it as effectively as possible.
Some members see this site as an aid to improving their spelling, grammar and vocabulary as well as increasing their knowledge of trivia.
I hate to see my mother-tongue b******ised, and I'm glad Fun Trivia insists on us taking the "time and effort" to communicate clearly.
By auntie1, Jan 18 08 1:00 AM
There are some of us who do not know text speak. Plus, I can just imagine doing work for a corporation and handing something back in text speak. I am very sure I would be redoing the work.
By talentedone, Feb 12 08 3:14 PM