Texting Spelling and Punctuation

[Jodah]

So, I was reading another thread about kids these days pausing their video game to text and all that nonsense. That thread isn't important here, however. What I want to know is how careful you folks are about spelling and punctuation while texting, iming, tweeting, facebook posting, etc. Anything that deals with short messages using electronic means. Even forum posts could count, though those tend to be somewhat lengthier than the average text message.

Personally I take my time (not that it takes much) and make sure my texts are spelled and punctuated correctly. Granted I have a Droid 3, which much like Firefox and Chrome, has built in spell check and auto correct. But even before I got a smart phone I took care with my spelling.

Most of my friends are the opposite. Their texts are gibberish for anyone not used to using such communication methods. I've spent enough time on the internet that it doesn't bother me or slow down my comprehension in any meaningful way but I do notice it. I've never commented about it, as there is no real reason. They type and write differently when it is something important such as an exam or essay.

So my question for all you Escapistites is how well do you spell and punctuate when using informal electronic communication methods.

 

[Phlakes]

i thnk txting speech is da worst ting 2 hppn 2 da world n histry

...I need a shower just after writing that. No, I need to bathe in bleach.

Here, let me quote Cracked-

Spoiler

Kids, never forget that anything you type on the internet can wind up etched in granite for the rest of eternity, for all to see. One impulsive post on Facebook can get screengrabbed and saved and passed around until long after you're in your grave. Keep this in mind when you are posting anything online, anywhere.

If later in life an employer decides to Google your name to find some free background on you, he or she has access to every little retarded thing you ever posted on Facebook or Twitter. It's not like having a conversation in Meatworld, where everybody will forget what you said by next month, or remember that you were drunk when you said it. Once it's in text, on the internet, every last word is there to read by anyone on the planet with a computer. There are even websites that archive web pages that have long since been deleted from their hosting servers years ago.
I've already broken my own rule here by cursing so much, and using the word "retarded" above. Uh, don't do that.

But curse words aside, learn your own goddamn language. Once upon a time you could get away with not knowing the difference between "their" and "they're" because in spoken conversation they sound the same. Online, everybody can see that you weren't paying attention in fourth grade when you mix up "your" and "you're."
Remember that text is going to be how you make your first impression over the internet; if every third word you type is misspelled, people will automatically assume that you're a moron. Even if the public school system fails you, there are browsers that come with spellcheck built-in. Me, I used Microsoft Word to type this article, simply because it checks my spelling as I type.

Also, keep texting shortcuts confined to your cell phone. Everybody understands when you use "2" instead of "too" because you were typing with your thumbs on a number pad. But you cannot let that habit sneak into your work or school emails or even message boards. And there's no reason for it, you have all the time in the world to construct and proofread your message. If you are so pressed for time that you can't spend the extra quarter of a second to type out the full word, you need to get up right away and finish your responsibilities. Don't even worry about closing the window - that would take almost a full second.
It matters. Once you type it, it's there forever.

Oh, and if you use "lol" in every sentence you type (and I've seen people who use it multiple times, ie, "lol I like dolphins because they're cute lol") I'm picturing you as this cackling moron. If you're really laughing out loud that much you need to be on some kind of medication.

 

[twistedmic]

I rarely text, but when I do I take the time to use proper spelling and punctuation. I also make sure to use proper spelling and punctuation when I post on message boards.

 

[DeadlyYellow]

I try to write correctly, but my keypad is worn and has a problem of sticking on preceding letters.

 

[Avatar Roku]

I text a lot, mostly with my girlfriend, and we both use good grammar (I converted her to that, though she only really used bad grammar before because she had never really texted much). However, I don't hold it against friends when their texting grammar is bad unless I literally cannot understand it.

 

[ChildofGallifrey]

As annoying as it is typing on a good 'ol flip phone after 4 years of having a full keyboard, I still make sure to write properly. I understand using some of the text shortcuts (even if it's inconceivable to me that typing 'you' instead of 'u' is just too time-consuming), but it's just not something that I do.

i thnk txting speech is da worst ting 2 hppn 2 da world n histry

...I need a shower just after writing that. No, I need to bathe in bleach.

Scrub hard with steel wool and fire. That's all that can help you now.

 

[The Virgo]

I always take the time to make sure I use good spelling and grammar. I've never been really great at either, but thanks to spellcheck, it's easier. That doesn't mean that a word never gets misspelled or left out every now and then, but I at least make an effort.

Seriously, I FUCKING HATE IT when people use "ur", "u", "cuz" and all those other textisms on the internet. That's fine if you're texting from a non-qwerty phone, where you have to push a button several times to get the right word. But when you have every goddamn key in front of you, YOU SHOULD BE FUCKING ABLE TO HIT EVERY ONE OF THOSE MOTHERFUCKERS! I don't text, but that's exactly why I got a phone with a qwerty keypad. That way I can answer emails with proper spelling and grammar.

Sorry about the rant there. I would go further, but I just got off of suspension for a low content and I don't want to actually do something that would have me deserve another one. Oh, and speaking of which, I notice that PC Gamer magazine has had a lot of issues along those lines. Much more than what should be acceptable.

Off-Topic: "errren of"? What kind of captcha phrase is that?

 

[Deadlyveggie]

i alwayz rite in propa grama n shit.

im well inteljant me

 

[Jodah]

Punctuation, spelling, and grammar are fairly important to me. I don't think I've ever used text speak to type out anything. Hell, most phones nowadays spell words out for you while you type; there's really no excuse to mess that up.

I saw this somewhere on some random site - the importance of punctuation and grammar. They can make all the difference -

A - I helped my uncle, Jack, off a horse.
B - i helped my uncle jack off a horse

Yes, it can be that crucial.

A. Lets eat, Grandma.
B. Lets eat Grandma.

 

[Mr Thin]

Regardless of the format I'm writing in, I put in the effort to spell and punctuate correctly.

And if you don't do the same... I judge you.

 

[Elo125]

I always try to use proper spelling and punctuation. When I don't it's mostly due to the fact that I'm 95% self-taught when it comes to the English language and that means I have minor gaps in my knowledge bank here and there. I also slept/slacked/stared out the window during all my language classes in school, be it Swedish, English or German, so I never really got to learn how to properly punctuate. I just figured it out on my own and hoped I got it right. Yay for having been a lazy teenager.. Do-over, please?

 

[AwkwardTurtle]

I've actually become extremely paranoid about my spelling and punctuation on the internet. I do my best to make sure that my posts are coherent for all. Seriously, I can feel the eyes judging my post and it worries me to think that I might make myself look like a fool.

I play the grammar police sometimes, but only if something is really bothering me.

As far as texting goes, I pay slightly less attention to punctuation occasionally leaving out a period here and there. However, I am well aware of the importance of the comma and I definitely don't leave those out.

I do judge people based on spelling and punctuation. I don't see why I shouldn't. :3

Oh one more thing! I really don't like the argument people who say when they don't want to use proper spelling and grammar. They all claim "BUT YOU GOT THE POINT I MADE. >.> GAWD STOP COMPLAINING". Anyone got a wonderful comeback to that claim?

 

[CyanideSandwich]

I always, ALWAYS properly spell and punctuate. I also make sure I use correct grammar at all times. I don't even add people on Facebook if they use "u" instead of "you" and the like. My friends are somewhat like this, but they don't seem to care about it all that much. I hate text-speak as well ("lol", "omg", etc.). I don't remember ever using it, and, no matter how mainstream and socially acceptable it becomes, I never will.
Spelling and grammar are all but dead as far as I can see, among the youth at least, and that constantly shits me. I know the English language is "alive" and constantly changing, so I fear what will come next.

 

[evilneko]

"Txtspeak" is forgivable in a text message: you have a limit of 160 characters AND it's pretty hard to type with only a number pad if your phone doesn't have a keyboard. Even I did that before I got a phone with an actual keyboard.

Anywhere else it's just annoying and makes you look like an idiot.

 

[Wuggy]

I try to use proper spelling, grammar and punctuation in everything I type, texting is no exception. I just like to give the impression that I put some thought and effort to what I type, a courtesy that a lot of people seem to lack these days. I do however use colloquial language when I'm texting, but Finnish "street vernacular" is a whole lot different from it's English counterpart.

 

[CityofTreez]

I've been called "old" by my family because I always write with acceptable grammar.

I always want to say, "Would you kindly fuck off you moronic fuck?" but never have.

 

[Count Igor]

Aaaaalways.
But I have an advantage of being ninja-fast on keyboards or phones. :3
I don't tend to speak with anyone who types "liek dis. cos ur dum"
It took me 4 minutes to read through a 3 line text once. That's how bad it was.