A Plea This isn't meant to be rude or critical, but lately I'm avoiding this site a little, and not reading many of the threads, because the writing has deteriorated to such an extent. There have been a lot of very badly spelled posts with absolutely rotten grammar, almost impossible to understand sometimes. Please don't prove to all the video game critics out there that you lose reading and writing skills when you play a lot.
I haven't been avoiding the site but I've noticed a landslide of unreadable posts. I'm sure glad I'm not a high school teacher trying to grade papers. They'd all get 0's. Please, guys, don't use txt spk (or whatever it's called) here. Save it for the cell phone. Practice your grammar skills here. (I do avoid the official game site like the plague because the BBS threads are shrill, use painful colors, poor spelling, poor grammar, and seem to post for the sake of the count, rather than for any real pupose.)
Amen to that! One of the things I've enjoyed about this site has been the literate, witty and thoughtful responses in the threads. Sadly, this has been eroding of late, but perhaps we can pull it back from the brink!
A part of the problem may stem from the fact that there seems to be a landslide of new members joining at around the times when new expansions are set to release. Not all new members respect the wish of older members to write in complete sentences (or using words correctly for that matter). I think this site is absolutely wonderful, because it appeals to simmers who are not just teenagers or pre-teens, but a lot of pre-teens seem to think it is cool to butcher the english language (don't mean to be rude, but that's the way I see it).
I agree with you all. I've been having a hard time coming here as my biggest pet peeve is those who don't read what's right in front of them. This seems to be going on quite a bit around here lately. I'm sure it is due to a new expansion being released and people looking for information. As we all know, this is a great place to get it; however, look, then ask if you don't see it. Search, at least make an attempt.
I totally agree with all that has been said. However, I just want to say that some people may have difficulty with the English language, for example they may be dyslexic or they may have a learning difficulty. A lot of people in my family have dyslexia and one of my nephews has a learning difficulty. I know how it impacts them, particularly when others judge them before they know that they have a difficulty. Now, I'm not saying that we are judging anyone unfairly. It's just that sometimes it's not always easy to tell the difference between lazy language and genuine learning difficulties. So whilst I agree that textspeak and poor spelling/grammar is annoying and off-putting, I also see that there may be another side to the issue. I DO agree that people should try to make their posts readable and understood.
As two of my children have learning disabilities, and one is Deaf, I know all about difficulties with reading, spelling and writing coherently. One thing I know is that those who have these difficulties must learn to recognize the issue, ask for help if needed, and be extra careful - not lean on the problem as an excuse for being lazy. It is quite possible for people with dyslexia and other learning issues to write clearly and articulately - it just might mean a little more work. I'm terrible with math, but that doesn't mean I don't have to balance my checkbook somehow.
THANK YOU! I'm glad someone posted this. I do think it has to do in part with a lot of the new members coming in and generally they don't last long and eventually phase out; but it was starting the annoy the heck out of me. I was getting ready to say something as well. It looks like most of our regulars here have already jumped ahead of you and said thanks! Can I also just add, along with the txt spk to please search the forum for any questions you might have as well before asking us about it.
I agree that if they have difficulties that they should not lean on the problem as an excuse for laziness. I'm an experienced teacher - although an early years teacher not a high school teacher - and I always expect high standards and effort. Some kids are so pooped out though from a day of 'working hard' at things and they relax their efforts on what they see as an informal forum.
I hate text speak. Hate it, hate it, hate it. I can barely understand what my friends say to me on AIM. It doesn't make you look cool to substitute every single word with one or two letters. It's immature and stupid. I also find it annoying when people say lol every other word for lack of anything else to say. It's obvious you're not laughing that much (though I do have a friend that bursts into giggles at everything). I guess it's really a pet peeve more than anything...but does anyone else find this annoying? "lol i wantd 2 ask lol if it was lol psobbile 2 have teens woohoo lol?" URGH! Hopefully after a while the members will start typing correctly...I know a lot of us joined the forum as newbies who didn't use correct grammar, punctuation, or capitalization.
:rotfl: That actually did make me lol! I couldn't agree with you more 123! That or constantly using HAHA in place of lol.
and even more annoying are the ones that don't recognize that their spelling has been corrected in a response. I'm not a teacher, but I've been fighting the urge to edit some of the posts. (Dylan, I'm talking about you...)
Nothing worse than text speak, I just don't understand it and it's so difficult to read. I admit my spelling isn't great, but that's what spell check is for isn't it? It's not the occasion spelling mistake that bothers me, it's the repeated use of the same word spelt incorrectly over and over again. I have a friend that continually uses the word seem, but always spells it as seam (and she isn't talking about clothing) I have mentioned it to her and I am beginning to think she does it to purposely annoy me .
I've just been sick. Promise to add to my stories once I'm well. I hope this doesn't scare off new members. We like to have you. We just have a few preferences we like people to adhere to. Like using actual English. I'm very forgiving of spelling and grammar mistakes if you take the time to phrase your ideas clearly. Also, you're more likely to get an answer if we can understand what the heck you're driving at. Searching for the answer first is just good etiquette. If you ask a "new" question you're more likely to get an answer. That's not to say you can't ask something that you honestly can't find the answer to. Even if it has been asked before we promise to try to be nice.
Amen! Ack my head was about to explode at all the poor grammar. Must be the English lover in me. I've also felt old and grumpy having to read all that and teach proper forum ettiquette. That must be the regular in me too.
I'll agree to this as the poorly written posts with "u r teh Bstest" or similar spelling and grammar are frustrating. They're very hard to understand and decipher - and are made even worse when the person who posted the "1337" like spelling blows up because no one answered their question.
Omgz lyk teh sims 2 rox!!!!11!!one!!eleven!! zomg!! Wuts rong wit typin lyk dis? lol... Yep. Textspeak and abbreviated nonsense is extremely annoying.
I understand the lure of text speak on a phone or Blackberry - trying to type full sentences (with punctuation) on those tiny, limited keypads is a royal pain, so text speak may be forgiven. But on an internet forum - with that lovely full-sized keyboard just asking to be used to it's fullest potential - there is really no reason not to take full advantage!
i speak in text language all the time and i didnt realise it irritates people i will now try hard to break my msn habbits and type properly doing ok already on this post.
