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Text talk - TheSite.org's stance
**helen**
Deactivated Posts: 9,235 Supreme Poster
in General Chat
A thread in relationships reminded me that there are still some really out-dated and harsh views on text talk that are no longer welcome on TheSite.org.
After a big debate at TheSite.org towers, the Good Manners Guide now states:
Now we're happy for people to discuss the matter here, but please remember the above conclusion is part of TheSite.org's fabric and suggesting that someone is 'illiterate' or 'stupid' because they use text talk just isn't a reflection of the real world anymore.
Thanks for reading.
After a big debate at TheSite.org towers, the Good Manners Guide now states:
For some people it's the most natural way to type, while others get annoyed by it. Whether you like 2 tlk lyk this or write your words out in full, here's a quick guide for text talk on TheSite.org.
1. Do type in the way that feels most comfortable and natural to you.
2. Do offer to decipher other people's posts if someone says they can't understand them.
3. Don't diss someone for typing in a way that doesn't seem right to you. If you genuniely can't read a post or thread, then politely ask the person to summarise what they've said in full.
Now we're happy for people to discuss the matter here, but please remember the above conclusion is part of TheSite.org's fabric and suggesting that someone is 'illiterate' or 'stupid' because they use text talk just isn't a reflection of the real world anymore.
Thanks for reading.
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Comments
Incidentally, I don't agree with your claim that it 'isn't true any more' that using text speak is stupid or illiterate, but that's neither here nor there. The point is, even if someone is stupid or illiterate, they are still entitled to help and advice here, right?
Me too. It's harder for me to read because of my visual difficulties - reading is hard enough already. I sometimes use talking software - using text speak means that the words don't get pronnounced properly. (words like "u" do; but "ur", sounds more like "er")
kl wer loud 2 use txt spek rite yes/
But there is a difference between someone writing in text talk and only getting a few replies... and someone writing in text talk and pretty much getting insulted for it.
:yes: Doesn't affect me and I know this is a UK site; but I imagine it's very hard for people whose first language isn't English, to read and understand. It also makes searching harder.
I agree with you guys 100%.
if u lyk ;P
Oh it was my thread I has started in the relationships coloum called omfg. Oh so thats what all this brought on. And I don't really care if I don't get no replies. I will commit suicide soon so I wont be using text talk.
But look my first launguage was Bengali then French then Pakistani and then English and I'm using text talk easily.
Anyone who can speak four languages is impressive in my books anyway.
I think the point helen was making was to remind everyone on the boards that people can post how they like and shouldn't be ridiculed or teased or patronised if they don't live up to other people's standards, which it appears from my very brief perusal, you were.
Stay around though
:yes: I was looking for an example to challenge Melian's post, but this is it. Shyboy, thanks for your accurate interpretation too.
hollyboo, if you want to talk about suicidal thoughts then please do go ahead and post a thread in the health forum.
Yeah but I would never start a thread with suicidal thoughts people would just think I'm plain wierd.
slang version
yeh bu i wud nver strt a thred wid suicidal thouughts ppl wud think im a freak
which 1's easier 2 understand
which one is easier to understand.
I didn't say they necessarily only get a few replies, merely that people would be less likely to try to understand before replying - so it's likely to reduce both the quality and quantity of responses.
But that said, the anti-txt ranting that took place in the OMFG thread was entirely out of place, and I was entirely appalled by it - even though I have no sympathy whatsoever for the poster's situation - largely due to the posters self centred writing style
Interesting. For those of us who haven't been around here long, in what way has it changed?
Really they wouldn't, if you do a search for suicide in the health forum then you'll see it's exactly the kind of issue people come to somewhere like TheSite.org for support with.
Nobody will think you are freak if you start a thread about suicidal thoughts, don't worry x
The first one.
Seconded.
I personally would just move on from a thread with text talk, i found it easy to decipher when i was about 13 but now it just confuses me!
There is still a lot of what there used to be, banter, debating, gossiping etc but I often do forget that it's not "just a message board" but it's a charity run facility with a specific focus aimed at a demographic that I'm not really in anymore. I have just been posting here for SO long and a lot has happened since I was 15 that I feel like I use thesite for something that isn't it's primary purpose.
ach I'm just waffling on now!
nb none of that is bad, by the way, I think that thesite is great and it's really good that it's doing so well and it's clearly helping a lot of people. I often feel like I don't really fit anymore but because I've been here for so long I don't want to leave.
Hi exactly I probaberbly wouldn't even get that many responses because I might use text talk but I didn't no about text talk I cba (cant be asked) learning it but I picked up on it on the 3rd year I had lived in the UK because I write it down and studied on it I even asked ppl (people) to teach me it I'm actually 11 not 12 my carer got my birth certificate wrong. but if a 11 year old noes txt tlk I'm sure other older people should to dnt u (dont you). c txt tlk is simple if u practice it.
And I am not going to start the thread on my suicidal feeling can't someone else start one for me.
we cannot start a thread for you as we do not know whats going on and as most suicidal threads have reasons or something that the person writing it wants help with it would be quite impossible to write one.
Plus, yes most people do know how to read text talk but its just WAY easier to read propper english language as many people have said. x
it's not that simple:
Many people for whatever reason, struggle enough with reading and the English language.
I can read some text speak; but find a lot of it hard to understand. I refuse to attempt to learn it or try to decipher someone's post.
Plus, it does make someone look illiterate - probably harsh; but true.
To me, using text talk makes one look childish, lazy, and an inability to use the appropriate form of language for a given situation. It's text talk. Use it in a text message, or even facebook if you must. But on a forum where there is no character limit? (2000 anyway) there is no point.
This isn't aimed at anyone in particular, and I'm not trying to insult people or anything like that, but that's why I don't like using, or reading text talk. The responses in that thread were nasty and out of order, but if we're discussing text talk here, that's my opinion of it. It doesn't mean that someone IS lazy and childish for using it, that's just how it makes me think of them.
Bad spelling or grammar, that's fine, not a problem. Not everyone is good at English. But text talk is just annoying and lazy.
But it's not my forum, and if people are going to be put off from posting because they are not allowed to use text talk, then fine, allow text talk.