Animation Source Forums

(Before I begin, the following groups are exempt from most of the things I say here. They are those who do not speak English as a native language, those who have any kind of disabilities that would impair their ability to speak/write in proper English, and preteens.)

The grammar on this forum has been thrown out the window. More and more I see people posting without the use of capitalization, punctuation, proper use of contractions, and horrid paragraph format. Or perhaps no paragraphs at all. I am not talking about those who slip up on the odd contraction. I occasionally screw up it's and its. This is not a nit-picky rant, and if you leave here with that impression, it's probably due to one of two reasons. One, my intentions for this failed, or you're one of the people who consistently type like the example below, and are taking a defensive stance against this because you know you have some things to work on.



That is the kind of thing that I have a problem with. It's not a real quote from somebody on this forum, but I have certainly seen someone with that horrendous grammar. It is easy to tell if someone is genuinely trying to learn English, as their mistakes are different from that of an individual who refuses to apply skills learned in their English class. I have a problem with the latter. It's not that difficult start applying what you learn in school.

Writing in a way that is grammatically correct is now a reflex for me. I have been typing like this since I was around fourteen. it may take awhile to get into the habit, but the earlier you do it, the better. Several good things can come from learning to type correctly.

If you type like the example above and find that no one takes you seriously, the reason is literally right in front of you. It's how you present yourself. Online, we are somewhat limited in how we can present ourselves. Thus, things like our rhetoric are chosen by others to define us. Avatars and signatures work too, as well as the information in one's profile. I'd imagine that rhetoric is one of the most important displays of personality.

Another good thing that can come out of typing correct ties in with the above. People will be willing to carry on conversation with you more often. In my opinion, good grammar is a display of respect to your fellow forumers, and to your opponent in an argument/debate. If I get replied to by someone with poor grammar, I may take it as a disrespectful display.

There are few excuses for using poor grammar. Actually, on a forum, there are none. You have a nice type box in front of you that points out spelling errors for you. You also probably have time to look over something before posting it. The only people on the internet that really have any kind of an excuse for poor/mediocre grammar usage are people who are participating in an online game. Even that is limited though. No use in asking your teammates to grab a tank and come pick you up if they cannot comprehend what you're saying.

I'm sketchy about posting some grammar "lessons" on here, because it's already possible that the people that need an "English awakening" won't see this, or that they will simply disregard it. So in a sense this whole thing is probably wasted.

I don't have much room to talk, cause my grammar isn't all that great either. I do try to the best of my ability to write properly. Not so much in spelling, mostly in punctuation is where I tend to go wrong.

I believe the main source to the problem is; cellphones. People are taking advantage of the computer as a giant cellphone. If you haven't noticed, computers come with keyboards that are fully capable for writing, not texting.

**Taking. Noticed.

But I do agree that mobile phones are the cause. Typing would take a bit longer with those in most cases which is why I think people came up with SMS. (Notice how SMS is the fancy term for 'text talk')

Cell phones and Instant message systems that later got on cell phones. To convey what they wanted to say faster, they invented ever more shorter ways to shorten words. That way, a conversation in text messages or IM conversations done via cell phones could progress rather quickly. I notice myself that when I'm having an IM conversation (and those who have IMed with me know that I ALWAYS type in complete words and sentences) it takes longer to type. Evidently, people who don't want to wait that long to convey their thoughts like to use shorter ways of typing words. I don't get it, really... even typing "lol", I have to stop and look at my keyboard! It's just that foreign to me. I guess it's more natural to the kids who either grew up typing like that or who didn't learn the home row keys on the keyboard.

Apparently, people who type like that don't like typing full words, and therefore take that kind of talking to places like these forums!

We made the rule against it, but it can be hard to enforce, since not everybody reports SMS talk on the forums, since a good deal of people type it, themselves (if you don't type in SMS, well, you know who you are.)

Times sure are changing... I remember learning to type in 4th grade. I never really heard of SMS or the idea of shortening words until I started going on the internet on my own when I was 13.

Geez!
When I go on my mom's cell on these forums I don't type in SMS!
Though I think ones like LOL [apparently I'm told I look stupid when I type out : Laugh out Loud] should be like they are...
Also, if I can get this off my chest; Never,ever,ever use SMS in a Role-Play! That is just plain lazy, and it does make whoever is doing that look stupid. [I'm talking like "u" "R" "4eva" and all those forbidon ones]
Swords Of Wolves: So do you mean should we report /every/ caseof SMS? I just now ignore it. [I see the same people use SMS even ones I report, what's the use?]

As a non English / American / Australian / Canadian / etc member, I have to say that this kind of message is a pain to read when English is not your first language. I actually don't even understand it in my own language.

.......

seriously, if you can write it; you can understand it.

I think he actually meant that SMS speak is hard for him to understand.

Hmm....that didn't cross my mind. I guess we'll have to wait for them to post again.

In the meantime, does anyone agree that those who are leaning English make different mistakes than those who refuse to use correct grammar/spelling?

Yes, I do agree with that. There is a huge difference between:





Sorry about the second example, it's not that good, but you get the idea. Those from foreign countries are usually glad when someone points out there errors, as a lot of them are on here to improve their English skills. People don't generally have a problem with the latter, as you can see that they are genuinely having a problem with grammar whereas the first is simply laziness.

I know that some are used to using MSN and texting each other, like me, but you don't see me posting stuff like:



When I might do that on Bebo or MSN, I don't do it here. Forums are based around writing and sharing your opinions. That's like joining a soccer club and not training because you don't think you need to. You DO!

I think he actually meant that SMS speak is hard for him to understand.[/quote]

Sorry, I've only read the first post of the thread so, yes, I was talking about SMS speak.

PS : I'm a girl.

While I agree with the SMS thing, the whole not typing in correct Paragraphs thing is a bit much..
I don't use the SMS speak here, but I will admit I use it on MSN, and every now and then I fudge up and make a boo boo here .. but not alot.

as for people not spelling correctly or people who have a problem with the english language, don't forget this is a "KIDS" Site , most Kids don't Know how to spell 100% right on the money... Don't know what to say about the people who aren't english speaking. I would imagine its quite hard to read/write, speak a language that isn't your 1st.

But all in all yes I find it rather annoying when lazy people come on here, and don't use proper english (Ones who know how to use it properly, lazyness wont get you very far)

Sorry for posting again, Lacking in spelling in grammar Does NOT make you look cool.
Here is what a person on the Shout box Really did say :

Doesn't that make it hard to read? And he/she even told me not to nag about it, I don't know if other people can keep "Cool" seeing the Same Person make simple mistakes. It just freaks me out.
Just because this is an internet it doesn't mean: Hey let's make myself look stupid! By making simple mistakes a first grader makes!

Words That you shouldn't miss Spell :
Was= Waz
That= tatt
Bored= boredz

Also some cheats:

The ' Button while holding down the shift button Makes... : "
Wow!
The space bar is the longest bar on the key bored.

To use a capital letter, hold down the "Shift Key" for the first letter that you want to Capitalize.
To locate the following keys, : , . ?
For : , Go to the 5th row, and the ninth key is .... : ,
For : . Go to the 5th row, the 10th key is.... : .
For : ? Go to the 5th row, the 11th Key while holding the Shift key is...: ?
A "I" that is alone, or the first letter in a sentence or is the beginning letter of a name is captial. Example : I went to school today.
Hope some people read these cheats.
Also, I even used Word to make sure I didn't miss spell anything, WOW! It took me a full 60 Seconds!

I agree LOL