Spelling in text messages

sundewgrower · Aug 27, 2015

Unlimited texting is normal now a days. So I just type all I want.
If cost is an issue I get it, but if not going the extra mile isn't bad.
Maybe I'm weird, but I can type 45 words per minute on a normal sized smart phone to the point the keyboard freezes up on some of them so maybe that's why I don't abbreviate. Plus, i don't have to look at the screen, and usually most errors are correct. Yeah. I'm not normal...

Tess · Aug 27, 2015

Super irritating when people can't text!

Txt tlk is rly annoyin but its even worse wen ppl cant spel ether.

whois · Aug 27, 2015

Citanul said:
What if it's a short message to begin with. I gave the example of "Wats for lunch", and adding the extra three characters to make it "What's for lunch?" would still have been under the character limit.

Or what if it's some other text messaging service which doesn't have a limit?

i hardly use text speak at all, but i can see its merits.
in regards to what you said, my particular phone has an unknown number of symbols under the "1" key.
the period is the first, the comma is the second, and so on.
i can honestly see why someone would exclude the apostrophe in cases like this.
yes, i'm somewhat of a "spelling nazi", i try to at least show a semblance of correct punctuation and grammar.
even in my texts messages.
yes, it bothers me too when my friends do this sort of thing, i come away thinking they might have an inadequate education.
just try to remember, at least on my phone, you gotta cycle through these letters, and it can be a pain sometimes.

i see your point though.

ReesePiece23 · Aug 27, 2015

Tess said:
Super irritating when people can't text!

Txt tlk is rly annoyin but its even worse wen ppl cant spel ether.

U orite m8? iz gt u sorted wit a 10 n ting. u gt me ya bludclut?

TheGirlOnFire · Aug 27, 2015

If I know someone has dyslexia then I understand slightly but I know my mum is and she always double checks with me on how a word is spelt etc.

Cearbhall · Aug 27, 2015

Citanul said:
How big a turn off is poor spelling and grammar in text messages for you? I'm not talking about the occasional typo as we all make those and don't always catch them before hitting Send (and I'm hoping that I haven't made any in this post), but rather regular misspellings and mistakes. Depending on your preference, that could also include the use of abbreviations like "ur" for "your".

I don't consider intentional abbreviations and shortened words to be the same as misspellings.

Now, if it were over the top and I had to ask what things meant on a regular basis, then it would get annoying, but I don't see any reason to avoid convenience. Language is always changing. There are plenty of words in the dictionary that are just lazy versions of old words and phrases. Language is meant to help us communicate, not lord over us.

whois · Aug 27, 2015

ReesePiece23 said:
U orite m8? iz gt u sorted wit a 10 n ting. u gt me ya bludclut?

this is the best example yet that proves the point of the OP.
this is the next step up from totally incomprehensible.

Owlette · Aug 27, 2015

Citanul said:
How big a turn off is poor spelling and grammar in text messages for you? I'm not talking about the occasional typo as we all make those and don't always catch them before hitting Send (and I'm hoping that I haven't made any in this post), but rather regular misspellings and mistakes. Depending on your preference, that could also include the use of abbreviations like "ur" for "your".

Is it being overly picky/anal/shallow to find poor spelling unacceptable? Or is it justified given the existence of predictive text and auto-correct to expect a reasonable level of correctness?

To add a further aspect to this question (which takes it out of being just a hypothetical situation for me), what if you had yet to meet them in person? So your only communication up to this point had been either through online chat/email or text messages.

Would you be more forgiving of someone you'd met in person meaning that you weren't just relying on their messaging style to shape your impression of them? Or is poor spelling a no-no regardless?

Bah. It's not a big deal to me. I know I don't always have perfect grammar, and I make my fair share of mistakes. I've had friends that use abbreviations in their texts and never felt annoyed by it. I usually will take the time to type my words out and use punctuation, but I've used abbreviations too. Especially when I'm in a hurry. Even if it would have taken me two seconds longer to type the word out.

If I had never met them in person, I wouldn't feel any different. Sometimes it's hard to shape your impression of someone in real life, yet alone online, lol. I just think that basing my impression on something like spelling or grammar isn't really enough to go off of. I see where your coming from though.

redblue22 · Aug 27, 2015

I'm only bothered by those who are bothered.

redblue22 · Aug 28, 2015

I would love to hear some perspective on why punctuation is outside the quotations.

Cearbhall · Aug 28, 2015

redblue22 said:
I would love to hear some perspective on why punctuation is outside the quotations.

Which type of punctuation do you mean?

MehGuy · Aug 28, 2015

Not really. I have problems processing language so my grammar and spelling has never been very good.

As long as it's not obnoxiously bad, I'm fine with it.

redblue22 · Aug 28, 2015

well, some are bothered by problems in grammar and spelling of others. why aren't they bothered at their own grammar and spelling problems?

Cearbhall · Aug 28, 2015

redblue22 said:
well, some are bothered by problems in grammar and spelling of others. why aren't they bothered at their own grammar and spelling problems?

You mean the OP? He's from South Africa, where I assume they follow the British default of placing punctuation outside the quotation marks. He would only place it inside if it were part of the quote.

Citanul · Aug 28, 2015

Cearbhall said:
You mean the OP? He's from South Africa, where I assume they follow the British default of placing punctuation outside the quotation marks. He would only place it inside if it were part of the quote.

That's correct. We generally follow British English spelling and grammar rules, although there may be some instances where the American version is the norm or either one gets used equally.

Citanul · Aug 28, 2015

redblue22 said:
well, some are bothered by problems in grammar and spelling of others. why aren't they bothered at their own grammar and spelling problems?

I'm not sure if this was directed at me, but I do get bothered when I make a mistake which I didn't pick before I sent the message/made the post. I'd never claim that I always get everything right, but I do make an effort to do so and that's why it can bug me when other people don't, although it does depend on what the mistakes are.

Citanul · Aug 28, 2015

whois said:
in regards to what you said, my particular phone has an unknown number of symbols under the "1" key.
the period is the first, the comma is the second, and so on.
i can honestly see why someone would exclude the apostrophe in cases like this.

That is true, and I did acknowledge that as an understandable reason for using abbreviations. Although the example I gave was sent from a smartphone, which means that a proper keyboard would have been available.

Miss Howard · Aug 28, 2015

I'll admit that I am exceedingly shallow when it comes to texting and messaging. If someone cannot put in the effort to type properly or form a coherent statement, then what kind of thought are they putting into their messages? I think having a great conversation with friends or getting to know someone is worth it. It should be noted that this is not something I actually express to the txtspk offenders.

Travelers.Soul · Aug 28, 2015

As long as I can understand what they are trying to say then it doesn't bother me too much. However if I am left completely clueless or have to repeatedly ask for clarification then it becomes distracting and problematic.

Cute Tink · Aug 28, 2015

I have a real issue with some. I hate seeing "ur" when I'm texting with kids from my youth group. I don't say anything, but I roll my eyes a lot.

My biggest issue is when I get "K" as a response. Feels like I didn't deserve the "O" that goes with it. Mostly because it was my ex that did that to me all the time and I really didn't feel like there was any consideration involved.

Spelling in text messages

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