How important ...

[Leo]

How important do you consider your use of the language, especially on discussion boards?

I ask because a poster was recently complimented for his mastery of language at another place - a compliment with which I entirely agree.

Not only does he not make grammatical and spelling errors (American spelling accepted) but he uses precise and interesting language.

So, how many of you appreciate a level of linguistic precision and artistry, as opposed to the perhaps more usual 'get the message across and sod the artistry' style of internet messaging?

I think it is great, and it induces me to read everything that poster writes (whether I agree with the sentiments expressed or not.) Also, being the educated, well-read and intelligent man he appears to be, his posts are not merely a triumph of form over substance. So should we all not try to write in a similar manner, or is just getting our point across sufficient for these purposes?

I think it was Doctor Johnson who said: "That which is written without effort, is seldom read with pleasure."

[HelenaHandbasket]

Leo it don't matter much do it really?

[Pookie]

The posters here are pretty much articulate and they get their points across quite well. I never thought about that, Leo, but you have a good point. You will see here that we do put much thought into our posts (well, except in off-topic, anything goes LOL!!) and truly, my experience here is reading those posts and seeing what they are saying. If something is cloudy to me, I'll ask if I am reading this correctly, and everyone here knows to explain further if it's cloudy.

They have to do that with me, I'm an idiot sometimes. I have gotten reps and PMs for things that in others' opinions, were well said.

Basically, folks here do pretty well. I'm a happy camper.
Purrs,
Pookie

[AnnEsthesia]

It depends. Typing mistakes and grammatical errors can sometimes be distracting, but often it is because someone is typing the way they talk. I do not mind that very much. But we have had some people (most of whom have gotten themselves banned) who had a hard time putting words together in such a way as to make themselves understood. If someone has spelling, grammatical, verb tense, word order, punctuation, word and sentence spacing and other errors all lumped in together... urgh! It gets too hard to read their nonsense and people wind up skipping that person's posts.

[Pookie]

That's true, AnnE. And it seems that those who were banned were so "out there" that had they posted like you and I, with proper grammar and all, they still would have been banned.
Good point.
Your whelp,
Pookie

[AnnEsthesia]

I try not to judge people on how they spell and all of that. However, it does get tiring if you have to try and figure out what they mean. After all, it is not like people do not have access to word processors where they can have it spell and grammar checked before hand.

[Pookie]

Yup. Then again, some folks are sharp as hell but spelling and grammar eludes them.
It don't matter, and I dunt care. Just tel whut ya think and we be goin from there.
Purrs,
Pookie

[azzig]

Yup. Then again, some folks are sharp as hell but spelling and grammar eludes them.
It don't matter, and I dunt care. Just tel whut ya think and we be goin from there.
Purrs,
Pookie

i've had complaints about my syntax and grammer, as well as my obsession with arial black font. Depends on how many glasses of wine I've enjoyed sometimes too. But on a consistent level, people who post stuff that's full of spelling and grammar errors (with the possible exception of the chronically dyslexic) really provide major insight into the IQ of the author. what's wrong is "our" (well, yours, not mine) KIDS "graduating" from secondary schooling and beyond that can still not put a coherent paragraph together.

[jafar00]

I type a lot better when I'm not typing with my left hand and holding my baby daughter in my lap with the other. ;)
That said, when English is your native language, you should try to be as coherent as possible to get your point across, and avoid localised colloquialisms where possible.

[NIOSA]

Leo it don't matter much do it really?

whut yer tawkin bout lucie? :nana:

[NIOSA]

That's true, AnnE. And it seems that those who were banned were so "out there" that had they posted like you and I, with proper grammar and all, they still would have been banned.
Good point.
Your whelp,
Pookie

ah nevah tawk with anythang less than purrrrrfecshun. hurmph

[NIOSA]

Leo-Of course the proper use of language is important, when it's an important matter. Now while I do enjoy a good ol chat on these types of sites, it isn't a real earth shattering matter if someone doesn't use the proper language, spell correctly, etc., etc.
BTW-Your abilities are fantastic....so are your writing & language skills. :D
Yer mah babee. :love:

[Buck Laser]

I guess I have to admit that I'm a language/spelling nazi. I mostly just can't help it because I've lived all my life among people who'll jump on a grammar felon like a duck on a june bug. When someone catches a mistake, it's paraded for all to see. No one's feelings are hurt because each of us respects the others' skill with the language.

Writing on forums has sharpened my own writing skills a bit. About the only time I go after someone else's writing or spelling is when something has struck me as funny, or when the error has changed the meaning from what the writer actually intended. Then I'm merciless. Sometimes it's unkind, and for that I'm sorry, but I delight in words so much that I don't always realize that others' feelings might be hurt.

My favorite situation is when someone tries to correct my writing. If I've made the error, I'm appropriately apologetic, but if they make an error while correcting me, then all the stops are out. I have a couple of opponents on other fora who've tried to nail me, and it's always fun.

Anyone can make typos, though. I like Firefox because it underlines words it thinks are misspellings in red, thus cutting down on the typos. But they still get through.

[Milton Bradley]

Hey, I'm the victim of a public school education.

[Blueneck]

I appreciate someone's creativity when using language. Leo is a good example of someone who's posts are a pleasure to read. I think I like it cuz he's so ... British. It reminds me of when I was a kid I'd watch that stupid Beatles cartoon just because I loved the accents.

On the other hand, some people go on and on with perfect spelling, punctuation and a great vocabulary, but don't have squat to say, or worse, too much detail about nothing.

Content trumps style and even accuracy in my book. I also love it when people use abstract means to communicate. Sometimes you can get your point across better when you don't make sense than when you do.

[Osborn F. Enready]

I prefer constructive, clear and concise language usage. Nobody is perfect though, and I know many who speak well but don't type well.

I try to do what I can to be proper both in grammar and punctuation, but we all make mistakes so I try not to get hung up on it..... unless it really gets difficult to understand.

[NIOSA]

I appreciate someone's creativity when using language. Leo is a good example of someone who's posts are a pleasure to read. I think I like it cuz he's so ... British. It reminds me of when I was a kid I'd watch that stupid Beatles cartoon just because I loved the accents.

On the other hand, some people go on and on with perfect spelling, punctuation and a great vocabulary, but don't have squat to say, or worse, too much detail about nothing.

Content trumps style and even accuracy in my book. I also love it when people use abstract means to communicate. Sometimes you can get your point across better when you don't make sense than when you do.

yer lahks mah spalin? :nana:

[Buck Laser]

Hey, I'm the victim of a public school education.
That's a piss-poor excuse, Milton. It sounds pretty typically libertarian, too. If you want to play the "victim" role, then be my guest. All of my family have had our educations in public schools, and we learned our lessons pretty well. If you want to start an argument about public school education, why don't you open a thread on it instead of trying to take this one off topic?

[Milton Bradley]

That's a piss-poor excuse, Milton. It sounds pretty typically libertarian, too. If you want to play the "victim" role, then be my guest. All of my family have had our educations in public schools, and we learned our lessons pretty well. If you want to start an argument about public school education, why don't you open a thread on it instead of trying to take this one off topic?


LOL


Do you ever say anything genuine? Anything that doesn't necessitate that you be put in your place? Ever?


I'm gonna let this slide, but you need a good verbal smackdown after that Liberal diatribe.


To think, a Liberal willing to lecture others about "the victim" mentality. Particularly after the "consequences of your actions" speech. :shame: :unreal:


:sick:

[Osborn F. Enready]

Milton said:
To think, a Liberal willing to lecture others about "the victim" mentality. Particularly after the "consequences of your actions" speech.

ROLFMAO......really. :madlaugh:

[Milton Bradley]

ROLFMAO......really. :madlaugh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8TnhNxKNlU


This is exactly what I envisioned when I read Bucks post.

[NIOSA]

LOL


Do you ever say anything genuine? Anything that doesn't necessitate that you be put in your place? Ever?


I'm gonna let this slide, but you need a good verbal smackdown after that Liberal diatribe.


To think, a Liberal willing to lecture others about "the victim" mentality. Particularly after the "consequences of your actions" speech. :shame: :unreal:


:sick:


Um, I have to disagree with you on the "liberal attitude", sounds more elitist than anything else, IMO. ;)

[Buck Laser]

LOL


Do you ever say anything genuine? Anything that doesn't necessitate that you be put in your place? Ever?


I'm gonna let this slide, but you need a good verbal smackdown after that Liberal diatribe.


To think, a Liberal willing to lecture others about "the victim" mentality. Particularly after the "consequences of your actions" speech. :shame: :unreal:

You're kinda cute when you're angry, Milt. :shock:

:sick:

[Milton Bradley]

Um, I have to disagree with you on the "liberal attitude", sounds more elitist than anything else, IMO. ;)


FYI, the Liberals invented playing the victim.

[Buck Laser]

FYI, the Liberals invented playing the victim.
But YOU were the one saying you were a victim of a public education. :madlaugh:

[AnnEsthesia]

Oh! Maybe he is trying to tell us he is a liberal?

[Milton Bradley]

But YOU were the one saying you were a victim of a public education. :madlaugh:

I was joking.

[Buck Laser]

I was joking.
Oh. Thanks for explaining it to me. I'm not a victim of anything but advancing age. Does that mean I can't be a liberal?

[Buck Laser]

Um, I have to disagree with you on the "liberal attitude", sounds more elitist than anything else, IMO. ;)
If yer talkin' to me girly, yer right. I am an elitist. I'm also a real liberal, but I don't play the victim game. I don't know any liberals who do, but I sure as hell see a whole bunch of libertarians whining about how the gummint is taking their freedom away from 'em. Conservatives? Seems like they whine all the time.

Just FYI, Milt hasn't ever "put me down." I called him because he wrote something like "I hate this America." He says he meant something else, but I just pointed out what he actually wrote. That may be why he's so pissed. The funny thing was that that situation didn't even occur to me when I put up my first post in this thread. So anyway, don't poke too hard at Milt, 'cause he's sore around the edges.

[Milton Bradley]

Oh. Thanks for explaining it to me. I'm not a victim of anything but advancing age. Does that mean I can't be a liberal?


Do you have a list that you consult that proclaims "when Milton says _____, it really means this ______ instead?


Because you sure spend a lot of time trying to put words in my mouth.


Perhaps the most disingenuous, and deplorable of the message board trolls tactics.


P.S. Appearently your imagination knows no limits, therefore, you can be anything you want Bucky.


Jost don't name yourself a character that we don't all have on our keyboards, like Prince.

[Milton Bradley]

So anyway, don't poke too hard at Milt, 'cause he's sore around the edges.


Nonsense. I answer all legitmate questions.


I just hate the way you always try to twist other peoples words. It's a pathetic cop out becuase you could never get away with it in person.


I know you like to keep your "material" fresh, and creative, but when you cross over into fantastic medicated ramblings, expect to get called on it pally.

[Buck Laser]

Nonsense. I answer all legitmate questions.


I just hate the way you always try to twist other peoples words. It's a pathetic cop out becuase you could never get away with it in person.


I know you like to keep your "material" fresh, and creative, but when you cross over into fantastic medicated ramblings, expect to get called on it pally.
Wull gee, Milton. I think this all started when you wrote "I hate this America." I didn't write it. You did. I realize now that you didn't mean it the way you said it, but instead of saying "I misspoke," you accuse me of twisting words. So suit yourself.

What still amazes me is that you seemed to mean "I hate the America YOU love," referring to me. My idea of American represents pretty much the mainstream view, yet you hate it. Got it.

So far as "never getting away with it in person" is concerned, it's pretty clear that you don't know me. I s'pose you mean that I'd get my ass whupped by people like you. Maybe so. But the harder you try to yank my chain the funnier you get.

[NortheastCynic]

If yer talkin' to me girly, yer right. I am an elitist. I'm also a real liberal, but I don't play the victim game. I don't know any liberals who do, but I sure as hell see a whole bunch of libertarians whining about how the gummint is taking their freedom away from 'em. Conservatives? Seems like they whine all the time.

Just FYI, Milt hasn't ever "put me down." I called him because he wrote something like "I hate this America." He says he meant something else, but I just pointed out what he actually wrote. That may be why he's so pissed. The funny thing was that that situation didn't even occur to me when I put up my first post in this thread. So anyway, don't poke too hard at Milt, 'cause he's sore around the edges.
This is an online political forum, everybody whines.:evil:

E'rybody.

-NC

[Buck Laser]

This is an online political forum, everybody whines.:evil:

E'rybody.

-NC

Agreed. Everybody but me...:shock:

[NortheastCynic]

Remind me to whine about that.

-NC

[Buck Laser]

Remind me to whine about that.

-NC

Nnnnnnhhhh! Nnnnnnnhhh!

[ilikegw]

Why you always gotta be tawkin bout people's writin, Leo? Yous just a punk, know what I'm sayin?

[Milton Bradley]

This is the word twisting I was refering to. ( Or, at leat what I percieved to be an attempt at word twisting. )


Oh. Thanks for explaining it to me. I'm not a victim of anything but advancing age. Does that mean I can't be a liberal?


Upon rereading it, I may have misread your intent.


Sorry Buck. I wasn't atempting to open up that old America hater argument.


I offer my humble apologies if I was way out of line.

[ECW]

I don't write like I talk. I leave out most of the street language. I try to express complex ideas with more than ten cent words but sometimes it just doesn't happen. That's just me, tho.

[HelenaHandbasket]

Now look! Ya'll have gone off and scared Leo away!!

I'll have to say spelling and punctuation counts when someone emails to you, from a forum where you've pissed them off, stating:

"Your a stuid idit. Why dose not you go back too schoo?"

[NIOSA]

Now look! Ya'll have gone off and scared Leo away!!

I'll have to say spelling and punctuation counts when someone emails to you, from a forum where you've pissed them off, stating:

"Your a stuid idit. Why dose not you go back too schoo?"

whut's rong wif dat?

[NIOSA]

Why you always gotta be tawkin bout people's writin, Leo? Yous just a punk, know what I'm sayin?

yeah, n'furtjermore....um, what was I going to say? :dizzy:

[Blueneck]

yeah, n'furtjermore....um, what was I going to say? :dizzy:
It just amazes me how many times and how slowly I have to read to understand that. I'm unnacustomed to having to work so hard just to be annoyed. :dork:

[ilikegw]

Who invited them rednecks!?!?

[Buck Laser]

I don't write like I talk. I leave out most of the street language. I try to express complex ideas with more than ten cent words but sometimes it just doesn't happen. That's just me, tho.

Wull ECW, having heard you express yourself in person at the Shit Stirrer's Summit, I can safely say that all of us are grateful that you DON'T write like you talk!:nana:

[ECW]

Wull ECW, having heard you express yourself in person at the Shit Stirrer's Summit, I can safely say that all of us are grateful that you DON'T write like you talk!:nana:

Damn straight for that, Buck. They are still airing out the restaurant... ha, ha!

[HelenaHandbasket]

whut's rong wif dat?

Ida know. OO look! Shahnee noo awbjecks!! :ecstatic:

[ilikegw]

Imma talk like the guidos I went to HS wit:

Why yous always gotta do stuff like this? Yous is so stoopit. Stop tawkin so stoopit and like, get a brain or something.

[NIOSA]

It just amazes me how many times and how slowly I have to read to understand that. I'm unnacustomed to having to work so hard just to be annoyed. :dork:

awww shaddup, yer nose yer lahks it. :nana:

[NIOSA]

Who invited them rednecks!?!?

yer sistah. :nana:

[NIOSA]

Ida know. OO look! Shahnee noo awbjecks!! :ecstatic:

:lmao:
shaddup

[ilikegw]

My sista ain't no redneck, even tho her mama was a hillbilly from Kansas!!

[HelenaHandbasket]

Whar wuz yer mamaw frum?

[ilikegw]

My mama was from Brooklyn baby (born in Chelsea but raised on the mean streets of BK).

[HelenaHandbasket]

How yer sister git a different mamaw?

[ilikegw]

My daddy went and got himself two wives! Not at the same time, tho, he ain't Mormon.

[HelenaHandbasket]

Iz yer mamaw, yer sistur tew?

[Milton Bradley]

Oh great, now we get to fish the the actual conversation through a bunch of hillbilly leet speak.


How precious.

[AnnEsthesia]

Hillbilly's have computers?

[Buck Laser]

Oh great, now we get to fish the the actual conversation through a bunch of hillbilly leet speak.


How precious.
There are writers out there who are absolute masters of writing dialect. Right now, only William Faulkner comes to mind. But real dialect dispenses with the cutesy spelling and goes straight to the way the words are spoken.

I can write as I talk--I write "gonna" for "going to," because that's the way I say it. Same with "wanna." But I use "gummint" instead of "government" just to be ornery.

[Condorman]

How important do you consider your use of the language, especially on discussion boards?

I ask because a poster was recently complimented for his mastery of language at another place - a compliment with which I entirely agree.

Not only does he not make grammatical and spelling errors (American spelling accepted) but he uses precise and interesting language.

So, how many of you appreciate a level of linguistic precision and artistry, as opposed to the perhaps more usual 'get the message across and sod the artistry' style of internet messaging?

I think it is great, and it induces me to read everything that poster writes (whether I agree with the sentiments expressed or not.) Also, being the educated, well-read and intelligent man he appears to be, his posts are not merely a triumph of form over substance. So should we all not try to write in a similar manner, or is just getting our point across sufficient for these purposes?

I think it was Doctor Johnson who said: "That which is written without effort, is seldom read with pleasure."

I really don't notice spelling errors, and I think that as long as the point is made and is easily (and I stress easily, not just possible after reading 3 times) readible, then I think all is well, so long is it is not full of 'r' (are) and 'u' (you) and '2' (to) and a bunch of short hand. After all, the entire purpose of language is to allow others to understand what you want them to, and it doesn't have to be pretty to be successful.

[HelenaHandbasket]

Oh great, now we get to fish the the actual conversation through a bunch of hillbilly leet speak.


How precious.

I am quite contrite and with deep remorse for speaking at a level of communication far below the par of your literate standards. Although I cannot and shall not give the promisary it will not occur once again in a forthnight, please, do rest assured if one simply does not take akin to the nature of another's writing one may simply and mercifully skip over the unbidden montage and save himself the dispensable grief. Have a portentous evening. :blah::innocent:

[HelenaHandbasket]

Hillbilly's have computers?

Why yes, yes we do! This'ns in mah paw's baysmint!



http://static.flickr.com/1131/1402612467_dd0061a523.jpg

:lmao:

[AnnEsthesia]

Well shucks. I always thought they were out huntin' coon and skinnin' deer.

[HelenaHandbasket]

Oh they iz, they iz...now we kin jes keep track a owr stawk inna mor suhfishint way.

[Comrade]

I dan't fink it m4tterz dat much az l0ng a5 deres stuff said l0lzzz!


...he said with all the eloquence of a morphine addicted pikey.

I do like to see thing written properly (eg caps, punctuation) but I think writing as you talk and even the odd mistake adds character to posts, it lets me remember its a person writing something and not just a computer.

[Leo]

I dan't fink it m4tterz dat much az l0ng a5 deres stuff said l0lzzz!


...he said with all the eloquence of a morphine addicted pikey.

I do like to see thing written properly (eg caps, punctuation) but I think writing as you talk and even the odd mistake adds character to posts, it lets me remember its a person writing something and not just a computer.

Well Comrade - me old china plate; all I can say to that is your posts are brimming with character! :madlaugh:(Sorry, couldn't resist it - you did walk straight into that. :D)

[Comrade]

Well Comrade - me old china plate; all I can say to that is your posts are brimming with character! :madlaugh:(Sorry, couldn't resist it - you did walk straight into that. :D)

Yes yes I did well done Leo. You damned 18th century English gentleman you!

[HelenaHandbasket]

Would you blokes take it to the fisticuff room? Really...

[Comrade]

Oh please it would never come to that.

[HelenaHandbasket]

I know that! I was just wanting to see a fight! I took bets and all...

~Skips out on all those bets refunds~

[Comrade]

I thought it would come down to you wanting to see two young men in their prime fight it out. But me and leo are interlekualz don'cha know.

[HelenaHandbasket]

I needs mah ennertaynmint!! WCW wasn't on tonight!!