Spelling

http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/?id=20061112

Ice

I can't understand the motivation for someone who sits at their computer for hours to type their messages in this terrible short-hand when it only serves to annoy the majority of people attempting to read it, and they have the time to at least attempt a fuller message, even if their spelling and grammar aren't very good. I'd rather read a message with a few mistakes than one written in txt.

I think it boils down to "there's a time and a place". A messageboard like this - that gets used for discussion (and dissention) needs good grammar and well thought out arguments. For a quick message personally telling someone that you'll be home soon - a shortcut is fine. Unfortunately many people don't differentiate between the two.

Kathleen

I don't abbreviate when sending sms, only takes a few more seconds to type a full message, and the more you do it the faster you can do it.

well first of all i dnt look on this board as a place were you need to use proper english. Its the internetr where sms talking started sao get used to it. i find it a lot easier to type txt whys and a lot faster.

as i have already pointed out englis isnt my first langauge so to be honest i dnt care how my spelling comes out. Everyone seems to know what im trying to say anyway.

No, it was for sms messages on mobile phones, hence it is known as txt language I can probably type full messages as fast as you can type txt ones, it isn't difficult. No-one here would criticise you for your spelling and grammar if English isn't your first language, but for being lazy and using txt language they would.

Many people here are not as confortable as you are with English. If you want your ideas to get across and understood, the least you can do is write as well as you can. It's a matter of respect.

If people from India, Brazil, Finland, France, Germany or Iran can do it, surely an Irishman can.


Ponrauil

This is a typical text from my 16 yr old sister:

Hi C Cn u pk me up 2nite cuziav to mt my m8 etc etc

Its annoying and lazy!

I struggled to read that. It really is lazy, it takes mere seconds more to type out a more full message.

Ouch

To be fair, I have to add that I am always blown away by how well the non-english speaking people do here. I would not fare as well on a non-english board at all. It's something I admire and I wish the US schools did a better job preparing us to speak to the rest of the world - or at least to our closest neighbors.

Kathleen