|
Media
Every communication form uses words differently. Spoken communications uses different words to written, and standard written communication uses different words to technical manuals. Every media has different style. SMS and colloquial internet chat has a different style too.
Why do some people make annoying posts that correct other's spellings, or oppose the use of Internet slang in chat rooms and online groups? I think a large part of it is snobbery or pretentiousness, or perhaps insecurity.
Snobbery because they think their way is somehow right, because they are capable of talking correctly in _one_ area (such as written English) they think everyone else has to follow *their field's* rules. But they're wrong... in SMS and Internet chat, shorthand is the normal way to communicate. Even if you choose not to use it (I choose not to) it is part of basic human understanding and empathy that you should learn and understand what it all means, and accept it. Trying to infringe on a communication medium that they don't understand portrays ignorance.
Pretentious because the things they're complaining about really aren't that important. As long as the message is clear within its medium it parses correctly. Who reads a technical manual with an aim of correcting its English and turning it into "normal" English? It would be seen as stupid and stubborn to do that!
Insecure because I think that these people don't admit that perhaps they're not fully understanding the communication medium, they're hiding behind some set of rules they understand in order to hide the fact that they're too stuck up to accept "new" forms of communication.
Pros of abbreviated, internet speaking: It's fun, friendly, fast, easy, quick and efficient. In real time chat, these are essential.
Cons: It's associated with youth culture, there is a small learning curve in order to understand some bits of it.
Conclusion:
Criticizing people in informal computer chat rooms, forums, usenet, other informal Internet areas or mobile media is misguided.
© 2003 Vexen Crabtree. All rights reserved.
|