Typos an age indicator?

[kornpone]

I'm wondering if people out there think that a poster's way of posting is necessarily an age giveaway.

It seems tradtional in cyberculture to assume that people in their teens or younger wl strt typng lk ths LOL bcs thy thk its cute r hip r dnt knw hw t typ r thyr trying to gt the msssg out as fast as they can, and that older posters (like maybe over 21) find this to be annoying, unreadable and pretentious. On the other hand, I've seen posters (including ones on this forum) who have indicated that they're under 21 yet manage to convey their message in a clear and readable manner -- and of crs u cld b n older postr whse trinng to fool evry 1 tht there ynger bi typing this way.

Personally, I try to write the same way I speak, and I think speech patterns are a better age giveaway than all ths elegible hrd t rd typo crp IMHO LOL. But then again, I love books and love to read, so that's why I prefer to write in the more traditional manner.

BTW I wanted to make this thread a poll but don't know how to do that!

 

[slobone]

I'm not sure what kornpone is talking about are typos -- I think people write that way on purpose.

That kind of writing is perfectly appropriate for a cell phone or a short message in a chatroom, etc. But if you're going to post something that's longer than a couple of sentences, it's very annoying to read.

Somebody posted a long message on the Coming Out forum -- a couple of screenfuls long -- and the whole thing was written in "text message-ese". I got through a couple sentences and then gave up. If the person was counting on my advice, he didn't get it.

 

[treanir]

Like with all rules of thumb: there are exceptions. As you also indicated in your post. I'm still a young'un at 21 but I don't use chatspeak. Okay, I use it every now and then, but only with 'standard words' like LOL, BRB (on MSN) and such. I never shorten 'you' to 'u' or anything similar.

 

[slobone]

[EDIT] Boy I really screwed that one up!

 

[slobone]

I never shorten 'you' to 'u' or anything similar.

Even in Dutch?

 

[Andreus]

my typos are a result of thinking in a different language

arabic has no double letters in spript, and so I cant really understand their english usage easily

there are quite a few guys here that dont use english as a primary language. Since using other languages is kind of frowned on here, you get what you get

it has nothing to do with intelligence

 

[treanir]

Even in Dutch?

Well, 'you' is either 'jij' (informal) or 'u' (formal). The latter is not a short form, it's the word. Exactly like you can't shorten 'I'.

 

[KennyD]

Ya' know that some "Typos" could just be a friggin' mistake (s) ... Sometimes; I think ahead of my writting and thus end up with typos/mistakes .

Age may play a part in the manner a person post/types his messages .. but hey .. it's all good . If I can't read it or understand it ... I skip over it .

 

[kornpone]

I'm not sure what kornpone is talking about are typos -- I think people write that way on purpose.

You're right -- I guess the term I should have used was "chatspeak" or "chattalk", only I didn't know them until just now.

ANDREUS - actually you're a lot better in your typing than a lot of native english speakers!

KENNY - I'm with you -- I might find someone who may totally agree with my POV but if they're writing a lot of gibberish I'll totally blank them out.

 

[apdragon]

If English isn't a poster's main language, then we, as readers, should never be tacky enough to point out any mistakes unless something said is unintentionally offensive. I think all the guys who do post in "english as a second language" do a helluva job with translations. Thank you all for trying so hard. Should it be the other way around, those of us that are English only would not fair as well as you all, I'm afraid.
While my punctuation and pure grammar might not be perfect, I do find it much faster and easier to type whole words/sentences without using abbreviations or symbols. I do massive amounts of typing on a daily basis, so my mind recognizes the words and my fingers fly, while "chat talk" takes me forever as I have to think about how to type it.
Pure "chat talk" in posts reminds me of a giggly 13 year old girl.
My opinion only.

 

[cityboy-stl]

No one holds mistakes against someone whose native language is not English. No one holds obvious typos against anyone either. But everyone can hit the spell check button to help themselves out. This abbreviated English may be fine for short rapid fire instant messaging, but this is a written post. It is impossible to read much of that gobbledygook. And please, in English sentences start with a capital letter!

 

[Andreus]

in English sentences start with a capital letter!

i have read that somewhere

doesnt really interest me that much tho

i hate stretching my pinky when i start a new sentence

btw

have i told you guys that im here for fun?

i dont want a grade or a job here, just a few allowances of decency and respect

most of my anal issues take precedence in the bedroom

thank god

 

[slobone]

Thatws reicedicvcuouls. I'm a mer 222 and I nevfer make a tyepo,. Nand what is the starightest town in teh world if I may aseK?????

 

[kornpone]

have i told you guys that im here for fun?

i dont want a grade or a job here, just a few allowances of decency and respect

most of my anal issues take precedence in the bedroom

thank god

hey, we're all here to have fun, y'know? It's just that it's not much fun when you can't understand what's being written, not too funny, either, especially when someone's doing it on purpose.

It's not about being judged on grammar and spelling, it's all about effective COMMUNICATION. Grammar and spelling is just a small part of that.

And I still say you write better than a lot of other guys here.

 

[The_Reaper]

Hardly seems like a scientific measurement to look for typos.

I make the odd mistake here and there, despite my ever tedious comb through of my posts and my nature to strive for perfection in my use of the english language.

But, we all make mistakes here and there.

If something is particularly emotional, or distressing, or bothersome....We sometimes just let the flood gates open and our words become something of a jumble.

 

[trawler69]

I find it takes longer to remember the shortcuts than to type the correct word. Reading "text speak" takes me forever as I have to work out what all the abreviations are for. Sometimes I just give up and ignore it. The worst is when a dyslexic person uses abreviations, then you have no chance!

 

[confusedboy23]

Like with all rules of thumb: there are exceptions. As you also indicated in your post. I'm still a young'un at 21 but I don't use chatspeak. Okay, I use it every now and then, but only with 'standard words' like LOL, BRB (on MSN) and such. I never shorten 'you' to 'u' or anything similar.

I don't think you can shorten too many words in Dutch....man.....how I miss that gutteral sound of "Schhh" (as in Schveningan....or something like that, yeah, it's the beach )!!!

 

[treanir]

I don't think you can shorten too many words in Dutch....man.....how I miss that gutteral sound of "Schhh" (as in Schveningan....or something like that, yeah, it's the beach )!!!

Scheveningen

And no, there aren't many shortened forms in Dutch. The ones that are normal come from English.

 

[confusedboy23]

Scheveningen

And no, there aren't many shortened forms in Dutch. The ones that are normal come from English.

Yup, that's it!!! It was a pretty sight but it was too windy and cold when I was there.

One day, kids will have no idea how to spell properly in English because all they know would be BRB and LOL!

 

[Andreus]

And I still say you write better than a lot of other guys here.

it's my profession. In spite of the fact that I have a stellar education it is still not easy to spell

more importantly

asking me to write and spell perfectly here is kind of like asking a doctor for free advice whenever he shows up

i come here to let my hair down

and THANKS FOR THE COMPLIMENTS!!!

hugs and kisses, Cutie !!!