what r u talking 'bout?

[jackofallgeeks]

It just occured to me that while seeing things like, "u r 2 weird" posted all around the internet bugs the HELL out of me, I still continue to used 'shortcuts' like "t'morrow" and "S'alright" and the like. It seems to me, then, that this in itself could be similarly vexing. Granted, on my side of things it's an attempt to "type as I speak," in which case I do tend to slur "tomorrow" and such. Still...
I haven't decided if I'm going to reform my online 'speach pattern' or not, but I'd be interested in anyone else's opinions -- (a) do things like "u r 2 weird" bug the hell out of you, too, and (2) is my tendancy to slur words and phrases online a bother which necessarily should be rectified.

Mom always laughs and says it's a good thing I'm not an English Major, because I break all the rules. I'm thinking, though, that I may have potential yet.  ^_~

Comments

[surichan.livejournal.com]

Dude, I "slur" too. But I don't think that's a bad thing - it's typing like you speak, as you say, and I don't think it's inapppropriate except in places where formality is a must. On the other hand, the use of "u" for "you" and "r" for "are", etc. etc. is just an eyesore. It fosters a look of total laziness and unintelligence. It screams, "Lookit me, yo, I'm so dumb, I can't type three letters; I have to settle for one."

It's just stoopid.

[oceans-of-jade.livejournal.com]

I think phrases like "u r 2 weird" are irritating (as opposed to "S'alright") because they are so freakin' ugly! ^__^; No, but really.. "S'alright" and "t'morrow" are slurs you often say and so writing them in an IM chat seems natural, because you're simply typing exactly how you would be thinking those words. Using "u" and "r" and "2" strike me as retarded because "u" is not pronounced any different than "you", so I see no need to shorten it.

(Of course, I could just undermine my whole point by saying that when taking notes in class or writing stories I often use shortcuts like "b/c" for "because" and "w/o" for without. Recently, I also seem to have picked up the habit of using "@" for "at". But I won't point that out, because that'd be just silly! ^_~)

There is a time and a place for such language: (a) when you're making fun of those people and (b) when you're just plain being silly. ^___^;

But to answer your other question, I can't say I've ever noticed or been bothered by your use of shortcuts.

[angeliccelestia.livejournal.com]

Nothing wrong with typing as you speak. I tend to use things suchs as "t'was", myself. I must probably come off as some strange hybrid of Olde English and some valley dude when I talk online, and post in ye olde journals. ^_^;;
And yes, I find ye olde "newbie speak" extremely annoying - glad I'm not the only one! "t'morrow" sounds far more intelligent than "2morrow". And, "y r u" gives me a headache to no end! x__x Does it take that much effort to type "why are you"? Didn't think so!

[mockette.livejournal.com]

i absolutely HATE people using "u" and "r" for YOU and ARE. its drives me insane!!! and all my friends use it too! blech! and personally andrew... I ADORE your little shortcuts! every time i see them i just have to smile! ::giggle:: it makes it seem more like i am actually talking to our andrew portner. go right on ahead and keep on using them! :)

1337 20x02z j002 |30x02z . . . or not . . .

[naughtjennifer.livejournal.com]

The occasional use of 1337 is fun, especially when I'm arguing facetiously(ie. butter is better than jelly because it's "|3\/7732," which is cooler than "j311!3"). I'd consider 1337 a different language because a)idiots can't read it. Yuo need to know a little about 1337 to understand it and 2)it 0wnz0rz j00. Also, it's fun to make fun of 1337 (see reason 2). Newbie speak's just that, though. I can't respect someone who thinks that's an acceptable way to converse when not using a cell-phone. It's ok with cell-phones because it's hard to type messages on one of those things.