sex!

Auctor wrote:
-------------------------------
>>Languages evolve. Netiquette shorthand is just another adaptation. If you don't like it don't use it.


Hi Auctor

The early pioneer of motivational speakers, Earl Nightingale, wrote that "The One Thing You Can't Hide" is your use of vocabulary. The minute you open your mouth (or type) you reveal to the world your level of competance with language. Regardless of education or social standing, his studies showed that knowing the proper usage of a large number of words, correlated to an amazing degree with success in any field of endeavor.

For a language (the ability to communicate and express thoughts and feelings by vocal sounds, written symbols, or other gestures) to exist, there needs to be a common understanding between the sender of the message and the receiver.

If the rules aren't shared, the communication breaks down and doesn't properly achieve it's aim of conveying meaning. In fact it subverts it, because it introduces misunderstandings.

I have no problem with netiquette, Auctor. It is merely a new form of shorthand and abbreviation. And I certainly do use it when I am chatting online, because it keeps the conversation in real time rather than the lag introduced by clumsy fingers on a keyboard.

My problem is not with its use, but with people who don't seem to know how or where to use it.

ok ne1 can c its ez 2 rite w abbrvs lik this & f u go 2 uni u wd hav no probs w wot it ses but f it gos 4 2 long u cn c y sm ppl thnk it cn b 2 hd 2 c.

Are you sure you wouldn't prefer I made that easier for you rather than just short?

Language isn't just the words or symbols we speak or write, but the art of communicating. I think that's where some of you have got it wrong. There are plenty of different languages I use every single day - colloquial everyday speech, proper written english, technical jargon at work, body language, sign language (I'm a scuba diver), email shorthand, chatroom netiquette, and the way I communicate with infants or even my dog! ...but I'm well aware that if I tried to use the wrong language in the wrong context, I would alienate and annoy the people I was sending signals to, and it would hinder our communication.
If you find that people aren't liking or understanding the way you speak, it's not necessarily their understanding that's at fault, but your inappropriate choice of language you are trying to send to them.

You can vigorously defend the words you write and how you choose to spell them, but your energy is being wasted, because I don't have an issue with that - I'm attacking the lack of thought process behind their use.


Cheers
Craig

<8>-/====/------------




There will little learning die then that day thou art hang'd!