The deterioration of man and the web

[PurpleRain]

Ever read the comments on Youtube and right here on the Escapist whenever Yahtzee posts a new wonderful review. It?s the worst raping I have ever seen on the English language! I admit, I?m a poor speller, but I really do try my best. I try to always use English to the best of my abilities and it hurts to see whenever I read some things over the internet, people have just blatantly thrown away our friend Mr Grammar, and beging to write things such as: yatzee that was so awsom!!1! your funny review burnout next!

Arguing with no real points other then to simple flame the next person or call their mothers fat without the ?ph? has now become normal in today modern world. You don?t write this way when you send a letter, but it seems appropriate to leave grammar, spelling and manners at the door once you enter the world wide web.

I don?t mind the occasional ?lol? or ?brb? and the usual internet talk that everyone has become so connected with in today?s world, and I enjoy lolcat talk when used right, but come on, why don?t people try anymore?! Also, I wonder if this happens in other languages or just english?

 

[Thaliur]

OK, I blame "when used write" on English being a foreign language to you

You are totally right, at least I'd say so.
It'S alright to use abbreviations now and then, as long as the other users have any chance of figuring them out without too much research, but besides the fact that multiple exclamation marks can easily be used to gauge the writer's insanity level (according to the master of English language: Terry Pratchett), most of what seems to be considered "normal" by lots of people online just hurts when reading it. As long as a text is still intelligible, I usually don't care, and if not, I ignore them most of the time, but I do hate it. And it seems to grow.

And - although I don'T think that will make you feel better - it happens in German too, only not as extensive, or not as noteable, since most texts online are written in English.
In online games though, the worst side of modern language is very prominent, as I noticed when I still played World Of Warcraft, shortly before quitting about three months after its release.

 

[PurpleRain]

OK, I blame "when used write" on English being a foreign language to you

Gah. Don't worry, all fixed up now. I blame that on god or me going gonzo. Honestly, I have no idea what that means.

You are totally right, at least I'd say so.
It'S alright to use abbreviations now and then, as long as the other users have any chance of figuring them out without too much research, but besides the fact that multiple exclamation marks can easily be used to gauge the writer's insanity level (according to the master of English language: Terry Pratchett), most of what seems to be considered "normal" by lots of people online just hurts when reading it. As long as a text is still intelligible, I usually don't care, and if not, I ignore them most of the time, but I do hate it. And it seems to grow.

And - although I don'T think that will make you feel better - it happens in German too, only not as extensive, or not as noteable, since most texts online are written in English.
In online games though, the worst side of modern language is very prominent, as I noticed when I still played World Of Warcraft, shortly before quitting about three months after its release.

It just hurts to ready anything on Youtube and I never try to ready anything that's been writen in the Yahtzee review threads. But like you say, it's become normal for people to do this. I can't picture myself writing this way. If I forget to use capital 'I's I always go back and change them. I at least try to use comma's and fullstops when writing to form some kind of sentince structure.

 

[Moroha]

I always write as good as I can.
And I find the same things as you annoying when people cannot spell at all and type like if they were 12 year olds.

But what I've really started to annoy me on is the Yathzee cult followers who insists on typing and thinking EXACTLY like Yathzee!
The diffrence is that Yathzee is fun and they aren't.. They just look silly <.<

 

[NotPigeon]

I always write as good as I can.
And I find the same things as you annoying when people cannot spell at all and type like if they were 12 year olds.

But what I've really started to annoy me on is the Yathzee cult followers who insists on typing and thinking EXACTLY like Yathzee!
The diffrence is that Yathzee is fun and they aren't.. They just look silly <.<

"Type like 12 year olds"
I was typing at 60-some WPM with constant correcting myself at the age of 12.
Also, when Yahtzee writes things, it's usually done in parody of the people who write poorly on the internet.
Also, I don't know about the 'deterioration of man.' I hold true to my theory: Mankind has always sucked, people just don't realize it. I blame nostalgia.

 

[stompy]

Yeah, I'll agree with you PurpleRain. My time at the GT and Mass Effect forums were bad, especially the GT ones. Here at The Escapist though, you guys and the mods have sort of created a haven of sorts, like a floating city. Unfortunately, the rest of the internet is a breeding ground for idiots who choose to ignore the etiquette of the English language.

Though, at times, I believe improper use of English, or whatever, is acceptable, back in the days where there was no VOIP. Or in MSN.

 

[Erana]

My method of reading is entirely phonetic. This renders me pretty much incapable of reading most forms of leetspeak. I am also irked by people writing in a way that suggests that you can read their minds. Especially when they are describing something. Ah, well. Better to be ostracised for something you believe in, like proper English, right?

 

[Necrohydra]

Does poor grammar irk me? As I read through any and all posts and emails, I subconciously correct any and all mistakes in them that I am aware of. If it's outright horrible, I don't even bother reading it and discount the view presented. I constantly check my grammar and spelling, and welcome any and all criticisms to it. I've always felt that if you want to be taken seriously, take your writing seriously.

@Purplerain and Moroha - I have never bothered reading the responses to yahtzee's reviews due to thinking that would happen, and from what you just stated, I never, EVER will. One person shows some comedic talent, and he'll have 50 impersonators within 3 days...
I'd hate to have to read through Yahtzee's email.

 

[The Reverend]

Aye, I don't need someone else to tell me that Yahtzee'a reviews were funny. And I don't think he needs us to tell him either, his success is testament to that fact. As for grammar, I use it when I can, (well I hope) but complaining about other people's grammar and spelling is like complaining that the sun rising in the east; no matter what you say, people still will. Just fight the good fight and type well.

 

[josh797]

i belive this effect is seen because of the advent of spell checking. Maybe not all of the problems, but I know that I have a hard time capitalizing due to the autocorrect feature. additionally I would like to say that this problem is not prevalent but it is evident on these boards, often times poeple use acronyms to abbreviate names of games. i often dont recognize the names, just from the abbreviation. when you use acronyms you should first use the full name of the game before the abbreviation. other than that i agree with you purple rain, its really irritating, and nowhere is it more evident than on 4chan. kinda the antithesis of the escapist. most of those posts are just a string of memes with porn interspersed.

 

[John Galt]

I always try to use proper grammar when talking and posting on "teh Intarwebz". The normal 120 words per minute the grammatically challenged seem to type at doesn't quite match up with the length of their statements. Normally, you find 10-20 word comments on most youtube videos so I don't understand why they feel the need to type so fast. Come on, cutting corners is sort of irrelevant when you don't have that much in the way of corners to cut.

 

[Erana]

I always try to use proper grammar when talking and posting on "teh Intarwebz". The normal 120 words per minute the grammatically challenged seem to type at doesn't quite match up with the length of their statements. Normally, you find 10-20 word comments on most youtube videos so I don't understand why they feel the need to type so fast. Come on, cutting corners is sort of irrelevant when you don't have that much in the way of corners to cut.

If there were siggies here, this would be mine.

 

[PurpleRain]

Does poor grammar irk me? As I read through any and all posts and emails, I subconciously correct any and all mistakes in them that I am aware of. If it's outright horrible, I don't even bother reading it and discount the view presented. I constantly check my grammar and spelling, and welcome any and all criticisms to it. Always felt if you want to be taken seriously, take your writing seriously.

@Purplerain and Moroha - I have never bothered reading the responses to yahtzee's reviews due to thinking that would happen, and from what you just stated, I never, EVER will. One person shows some comedic talent, and he'll have 50 impersonators within 3 days...
I'd hate to have to read through Yahtzee's email.

Plus they can't spell. This is why you go onto Yahtzee's website and some of his ZP he makes mention of it as well, of how much he despises the hundreds of people that send this kind of crap to him. It's just nice if people take the time to structure their sentinces properly.

When people send me emails using this amazing 'web talk' I like to correct it like a teacher and send it back to them until they get it right.

 

[L.B. Jeffries]

Ironically, someone made an RPG about this that's free on the web:

www.forumwarz.com

One of the funniest things I've ever played. Highly recommend you try it.

 

[Larenxis]

Always felt if you want to be taken seriously, take your writing seriously.

You should have begun this sentence with 'I've' or 'I have', otherwise there is no subject, and it is an incomplete sentence. Also, putting a 'that' before the 'if' would be a minor improvement.

Since the dawn of time, I have been bothered by misspellings and awful grammar. I'm okay with improper grammar, as I'm supportive of writing the way one talks, but that does not apply to everyone. When I find I typo in a novel my heart sinks. I'm surrounded by misspellings though, as I frequent on the internets and go to a school full of... differently focused individuals. It is quite the curse. (The spelling thing, not the school.)

I suppose it depends on how much people care, and not many people do. Personally, I reread anything over two sentences before I post and I have automatic spell checking from Firefox. It's American though, so it doesn't think 'colour' is a word.

NotPigeon: I agree. I'd rather read spelling mistakes than have slavery around.

 

[Lord Slavik]

Srsly guyz i dont c wut ur problem is wiht ppl not tyipinh corerectly.


On a side note I also have to say that I dislike the other extreme as well. The people who go around thinking they are suddenly part of teh ingenious literary elitist group just 'cause they can spell.

However, on the other hand I don't really care too much...unless if its really just ridiculous(with the bad spelling and grammar)

lol! Only after posting did I realize that this thread was dead, at least I'm guessing it is based on the date xD

 

[burnit999]

In general it is only natural for language, both written and spoken, to change over time. Every great societal change has caused this to some extent. From the colonizing of new lands, to wars. The more recent globalization trends spurred on via the internet are no exception. With easy access to peers and the ability to make your voice heard, in many cases completely anonymously, things were bound to be changed. For the most part I believe people actually try to write legible English though there will always be those out there that either just don't care or enjoy writing 1337 455 comments and what not. Ultimately I think this is good for society and that it is simply the natural flow of things. After all no one speaks ancient Egyptian any more, least not to my knowledge . It is my belief that eventually there will be one language on this planet and it will not be any language that exists today, but a sort of hybrid. Just my two cents.

 

[Necrohydra]

Always felt if you want to be taken seriously, take your writing seriously.

You should have begun this sentence with 'I've' or 'I have', otherwise there is no subject, and it is an incomplete sentence. Also, putting a 'that' before the 'if' would be a minor improvement.

Since the dawn of time, I have been bothered by misspellings and awful grammar. I'm okay with improper grammar, as I'm supportive of writing the way one talks, but that does not apply to everyone. When I find I typo in a novel my heart sinks. I'm surrounded by misspellings though, as I frequent on the internets and go to a school full of... differently focused individuals. It is quite the curse. (The spelling thing, not the school.)

I suppose it depends on how much people care, and not many people do. Personally, I reread anything over two sentences before I post and I have automatic spell checking from Firefox. It's American though, so it doesn't think 'colour' is a word.

NotPigeon: I agree. I'd rather read spelling mistakes than have slavery around.

Fair enough. I felt that the "I've" was implied, but it seems I was wrong.

Now, I enjoy a good laugh at internet jokes like anyone else. I also don't expect everyone to be as anal retentive about grammar as I tend to be. I'm fully aware english is NOT the only language on the internet. I was just stating that yes, poor grammar does irk me personally.

@burnit999 I personally feel that if we do wind up having a single, universal language, it will be very far off in the future, if at all. Languages are considered a part of cultural identity. Sure, the Frenchman may learn english to communicate as part of his job or hobby, but you can bet he'll never forget the language of his homeland.

Also, I believe they did try to create a universal language. I don't think anyone uses it.

 

[Haliwali]

I can't wait till Moogly stumbles across this thread.

 

[Conqueror Kenny]

well i am very bad a spelling myself but i at least try and if you d have a look at youtube and find; a full stop, comma, colon, quote marks or any kind of punctuation whatsoever then you are the proud owner of a good pat on the back.