jayallen

iTrader: (31)

As much as it is annoying i cant believe its even open to debate, whats next a ban on pictures of members cars with overly large wheels and the wrong kind of lights...

PaulC72

I imagine so, but that said enough of the people who have voted to ban it seem to know enough themselves to make fun of it surely if they felt that strongly about it they would not lower themselves into using it for comical sake.
Start as you want to go on.

Also I try to encourage my daughter to not use it especailly when she sends me messages but it is her choice i have to adapt.

I suppose I could flog her for not pronouncing words correctly too especially as she has had some of those correct talking lessons at school and they pull them up for using slang words

I don't think there will ever be an answer but if the same question / poll was done in a few years time the results I imagine could be quite different and if it was done a couple of years earlier the result would probably be unanimous.

PeteBrant

I can't stand text speak...

However, worth pointing out that Moderators are the ones that are going to have to enforce it and it will add to thier workload... How do they feel about it?

s1lko

Ah, elocution lessons. Reminds me of my public school days.

Removed.

Sleeping in boxing gloves and a fear of communal showers

mickywrx

iTrader: (29)

Why should you addapt to laziness?

dynamix

iTrader: (3)

Ban it. It is lazy and unreadable and in situations where people are asking advice it renders the question void IMO.

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

In all honesty, I'm unsure whether I'd vote for a ban on text speak. Not because of my feelings on it, I hate it, but purely because I'd worry about how it would be policed, if it even really could. I think we have enough infractions going about as it is, and something like this could get way out of hand, also, if it were just moderated, that would be some workload.

Personally, I think it should be actively discouraged in some way, but I'm not convinced an outright ban would work.

As for those defending text speak, especially those in favour, I just don't get it. It's not simply language evolving, it's just plain lazy. The reason so many complaints get made about it, is because there are probably more people who can't understand what is being said, than can. I think why it causes such an issue, is that most of this goes on in General, where people are wanting or giving out advice. It's a bit frustrating if you asked for advice and you haven't a clue what the response is, or if someone is wanting help, and the bulk of people haven't a clue what the question is. Then of course, the comments start coming about 'why is nobody helping me', possibly because they don't understand a word you're saying.

I am totally against picking people apart at every opportunity for their spelling or grammar, but I don't think it's too much to ask for people to use a little effort, even more so when they're wanting advice. I'm a Geordie, and proud, but I wouldn't dream of coming on here, and typing in a way, very few would understand, so why is it acceptable to type in a manner so many people struggle with?

Maybe, if we decide text speak is fine and should be accepted as a form of communication within a very large and diverse community, we should then allow free reign for people to type thing out in their own regional dialect (if they can), see how long it takes before it becomes just as annoying.

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

I don't use txt speak on my phone so I certainly wouldn't use it on the web

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

From my point of view text speak makes posts harder to read so I'd be happy to see the back of it on here as wading through a load of it only serves to increase my workload.

overlord

text speak is for lazy ****s

s1lko

Sorry, I should have pointed out it was mixed...

Cream

I just can't get it into my head that you guy's would actually want someone banning just for using text talk. Now abusive language, child **** etc. I can understand. But surely the answer would just be not to respond to a thread you can't be bothered trying to work out. Kind of self moderating. If people don't get responses they will start writing in a manner that gets a response.

c_maguire

You'll get some vociferous replies to any attempts to prevent text speak, as those attempts are akin to questioning the masculinity of the users (excuse me ladies). Because however it is dressed up, the implication will always be that the users are uneducated dimwits and most people aren't going to respond well to that suggestion.
I voted yes because I have no problem accepting or suggesting that the majority of people using text speak are mentally challenged, and if text speak is a symptom of an evolving society then the sooner that asteroid smashes this place to bits the better.
Kevin

Torquemada

Ah, thems were the days

Seriously though, text speak is not evloution of the English language, quite the opposite!! Mainly, I talk of what COB was, i.e. when words are more difficult to understand and when words are often not shortened, rather messed with, 'cause it looks cool

Oh, and please don't compare things like i.e. and e.g. to text speak, as said, abbreviations etc. are quite different to what is actually being discussed here.

I have voted yes, although I am in opposition to censorship, I don't count this as such. My brother is seriously dyslexic and has never reverted to text speak, or what would have been the point in trying to learn the English language at school and use varying methods/techniques to ensure he, as a dyslexic, could operate well in future employment etc.
What is the advantage of using text speak on a forum, anyway?

Bast@rdising of the English language to this degree should annoy people.

Also, this is not a debate on class or how educated you are either,
I think some have gotten that confused and some have also got a massive chip on their shoulder or are over-paranoid of such accusations, be they real or not.

Pretty unenforceable as a rule, yes, good thread though.
Updating filters might make the forum unusable to be honest
and banning people is waaaay over the top to most (although I wouldn't be that bothered, it could be in the t&c's that you would need to agree with before joining, put text speak at the top or something, or use a banner that pops up every now and again)
Infractions are just a joke as there are so many over-sensitive types on here, if they were used correctly then fine, it's not the best system though, due to abuse.

It'll be interesting to hear some views from mods, in answer to some of the questions etc. posed so far

Cheers,

Tom

jayallen

iTrader: (31)

You have hit the nail on the head there fella. In my opinion if a post is made up of text speak then we have to options, the first a polite reply suggesting rewording the question would get a positive response or secondly ignore the post and move on.

People would soon get the gist of things.

Bubba po

Cream, I don't think anyone wants users to be banned for using text speak, just that the practice of text speak ought to be discouraged. Offenders should be given the chance to mend their ways.

Cream

Exactly, it hardly need to be added to a banning rule. Just crazy IMHO.


IMHO is urban slang Urban Dictionary: imho

LOL internet slang LOL - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

both used regular even by the 'best' members

e.g. is an abbreviation Dictionary of English - e.g. <i>or</i> i.e.


point is where do you draw the line.

I use m8 for mate on a regular basis on several forums where I'm know better, Hardly seems a basis to ban some one.

dynamix

iTrader: (3)

there's a big difference between acronyms and slang or just laziness.

taffyboyo

this thread is about people who cant accept the fact that the car they own is now available to youngsters etc who do what youngsters do, in no way does it actually "hurt my eyes oooh I cant read it"

so to add to the list of pathetic things poeple complain about
1,spelling
2,grammar

and now

3,text speak

Sonic'

Txt speak can't be laziness, it takes me hours to read it, decipher it and reply in the same manner

nothing lazy about that, its damned hard work

Baker

I vote to ban it.

It really annoys me when I come across a post with deliberate text usage.

I can understand why people use it on mobile phones as characters equal money, but when using this forum it doesn't cost or hurt anyone to actually make a half decent attempt at spelling something correctly.

s1lko

Sorry, temptation and boredom is a potent mix...

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

Just as an add on, from my previous long and boring post. I think at least part of the issue is there is a time and a place, it's not about censoring, just showing a bit of respect and adapting to a certain environment. I personally would never swear in front of my parents, nanna, ceratain people I know or strangers whom I don't know how they'd react, yet I'd think nothing of it amongst friends.

I don't deem that as censorship, or not being allowed to be myself/individual, I just have enough respect for the various situations or company I can be in, to make the effort not to offend. Just the same as I talk quite 'posh' apparently, on the phone at work, as I am making the effort to be understood.

Torquemada

Prime example of what I was talking about.
The debate is not about that at all!!!
I don't care who has what car, I do care that people think it's ok to type messages in some bizarre and pointless way, effectively joining in in the devolution of the language.
I tell you what, I'll start speaking in Swahili as all my mates really love that, you guys can just adapt....

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Firstly, I'd like to distance myself from the kind of person who derives pleasure in pointing out every single spelling, grammar or compositional mistake that some poor sod has made in their post. Being overly pedantic serves little purpose and makes a person look smug.

BUT

Being critical of text speak is not being a language ****; it is about taking the time and effort to articulate what you have to say in a manner that can be easily understood by others.

First, I don't want SN to be yet another showpiece for the "yoof" of today to desecrate the English language. It's being butchered extensively enough in other aspects of life, thank you very much. The least we could do is make an attempt to uphold some standards on here.

I'm not a snob: so you're not Shakespeare, fine. So you make the occasional spelling or grammar mistake, fine. So, your composition isn't what it might be, fine; this isn't an English degree! But, whatever your level of attainment, for the love of god, please at least make an effort. It's just common courtesy!

The use of text speak is the height of laziness, makes you look ignorant, and conveys a lack of respect for other members of the forum who put in the time and effort to compose comprehensible posts.

Text speak is a royal pain in the *** for an English speaker to read, and can be even worse for those who don't speak English as their first language. Then you have dyslexics, who often really struggle with it.

It's not especially hard to enforce. It simply becomes an infraction worthy offence - it is therefore enforced by the community and moderated where someone disputes an infraction in the normal way. Appeals would certainly be more black and white than some of the calls webby has to make about opinions expressed by some on here.

This is not a petty or insignificant matter; it is an important issue for a website that's primary purpose is to promote communication between like minded individuals, and it strikes at the heart about the kind of community we want to create. We've taken action against other examples of rude/inconsiderate behaviour on here. It's time we deal with this annoyance, definitively!

Be honest, when you see a forum littered with text speak, what immediately comes to mind? Exactly.

Let's raise the game, people!

Ns04

Torquemada

Completely agree. I think some have the wrong end of the stick.
Well said

Tom

frayz

iTrader: (7)

Well said mate. Agree 100%

Removed.

Basically what a number of us have said. The only issue I have is, Infractions? We all know what an infraction fest some threads become, imagine what it would turn into if infractions were also used as a tool against txt or l33t speak. I'd have received 2 for the previous sentence!

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

NS04 makes a valid point and one that is, I am sure, shared by many on here.
(goddammit he is good )

Personally, my take on the subject, is that too often a genuine question or post is subjected to abuse, simply because the OP has used txt speak.
Now it may be that after wading through the post and spending time deciphering the language, I see what the OP is trying to say and indeed I may have the answer to the question, but simply because it is done in txt speak, means
a) I usually cant be bothered to reply because the OP cant be bothered to make an effort
b) I know that the OP may have a problem in working out my carefully worded reply as it may contain some long words
c) I know that if I do reply, I will probably get an equally confusing comeback. All of which makes me reluctant to help.

See this example



And translated




But what to do about it ? And should it be enforceable ?

ChunkyDunky points out that infractions are not the solution and I fully agree. Infractions are ruining this board and this would be just another reason for the petty minded on here to issue ones at will. The policy section is already full and I doubt it could take any more.

I think the best way would be to add a new Smiley to the list, whcih simply has a NO TXT SPK on it. That way members can reply to a post with a single click, denoting the fact that we cant understand the post in question and would the OP like to rephrase it in such a way that we can read it
Thus we save time, skirt the infraction system, avoid abusive replies and there is little need for moderator intervention. Everyone is happy