Better English please

[Torg_Snowflake]

Look, I'm not a natural english speaker. It took me years, and a lots of practice to understand and be able to make others understand me in english.

I don't have a problem with, let's say, a russian dude who is doing his best.

However... I take it ver bad when someone from an english speaking country goes all "leet" and speaks like an idiot. It's not only hard to understand, but it's also a mockery to all my years of effort learning english.

[tak]

Originally Posted by Zordak

I agree that there are some bad examples of written english to be found in the forums, according to your desired standards im certainly one of them (<-- shift key example at eta -4 + missing interpunction).

But in principle, i disagree: Some persons dont know to write better, to them such a demand must seem arrogant - do you not talk to foreigners because they dont match your language standards? Do you want them to not express themselves because it might have some demands to your braincells?

Furthermore, I fail to see the problem: Language is a medium of transporting information from a sender to a recipient. If you dont want to read a certain forum post (like this one? SHIFT KEY! interpunction!) why dont you just conclude that the attempt of establishing communication failed and ignore the post? Its the beauty of a forum that noone forces you to read anything.

edit:


You know, its not all about interpunction, paragraphing really helps structuring posts, too. scnr.

Z.

While i wouldn't choose you as an example of bad written expression Zord and i do agree on your points of a) people writing to the best of their abilities and b) liberally applying the ignore function to those who are just an annoyance i would like to add a few thoughts of myself concerning the matter at hand.

First of all, when i write something, be it a forum post, a letter or just a cell phone text message i take pride in trying to express myself as clear and concise and at the same time as eloquently as possible.

On the net people do not see your face, they do not really get to know your character, your whole persona.
While you can abstract from what you read, your online ego is formed mainly by how you express yourself.

Somebody who writes like, lets say gigo, will not be taken as seriously as you or me, for the simple reason that his way of expressing himself shows him as the equivalent of the smelly beggar asking for change on your morning commute in the subway.

If you do not take pride in how you write it reflects on you the same way on the net as if you didn't shower regularly in your daily life.

I am not on the side of grammar nazis or similar people, i am just adding that as you should take pride in what you write, trying to formulate as good as you can is something that is in my view required when you post both for the sake of how people view you and your personal pride in your opinion.

Besides, it is a long standing rule on the internet that, since let us say 50 people read what you write, making your post as readable and clear as possible is a courtesy extended to all those who might stumble upon your opinion.

So i am most definitely in favor of, if not perfect english, then at least in taking the time to do your best and trying to improve as you go along.

[Rockwolf_]

Originally Posted by Inkster

Yest, regarding this post did you know that aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

As long as you use proper punctuation, which you did. ^^
It's pretty funny though

As for the post, I appreciate it if people try to speak proper English. If they fail to make themselves clear, no problem, I will try to help out. It's the same thing when I speak Spanish. I mess some words up too, but all I can do is try to be as clear as possible.

What I have a problem with is an extreme use of abbreviations. This can really make a conversation unclear.
It's okay in wars though, or any situation where you have to be fast. But many people use abbreviations in all conversations.