h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

My pet hate is people who write something that is, at best, slightly humorous, which nobody would ever laugh out loud at, and then write "lol" at the end of it.

Anyway, Prince was using text speak in his song titles before text messages were even invented. "I Would Die 4 U" anyone?

Prince was a L33T H4X0R DUD3Z

Ummmm...

Shoot me?

Am I supposed to know what that means?

*Shooting with tomato gun*

To be honest when I see txt spk on h2g2 I find my gut reaction assuming that the user is lazy and can't be bothered making a serious argument. I know this is wrong, I shouldn't assume that.

I know people could read some of my posts and think that if I can't be bothered to spell properly then my opinion shouln't be taken seriously, so I try not to think this.

I do find that numbers inserted in words, and words mispelt on purpose to be annoying, and no I don't enjoy chatting to people on MSN who do this. I do of course still take the time to chat to these people, I just tend to find it a less enjoyable experience.

I wonder if people who use text speak realise that some people just assume that they are stupid and lazy.

Would I give a job to someone who applied in textese? well if the job involving written commication, such as taking down phone messages, or typing internal e mails then I wouldn't. If it was a job that didn't then I would feel temped to give them a chance on the grounds that someone who applied in textese wouldn't get a job elsewhere, so I would feel duty bound to empoly the unempolyable. I have a feeling that most people who aren't fully paid up socialists would have a different opinion on this.

"Prince was using text speak in his song titles before text messages were even invented."

And Slade were doing it even earlier - 'Cuz I Luv You', 'Mama Weer All Crazee Now'

N0ddY H01D3R r001z 0k

WarEZ RUleZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry couldn't resist.

133t sp33k thr34d!

J00 411 PWNED!!

GR8!

k08813rz.

Call me an old fuddy-duddy if you like, but I genuinely don't understand a good part of what's been posted in this thread. That being so, those of you posting using these constructions have failed to communicate with me. I know that most of the text speak posts in this conversation are intended as a joke, but the point remains. I am a native English speaker who uses text messages and computers on a daily basis - I generally find I can understand what is posted here.

I seem to recall lots of heated debate not long ago about posting on this site in languages other than English. I've been reading English for years - I simply don't recognise this stuff. On private message boards, in chat rooms, on mobile phones - if people wish to use this code to speak to each other that's entirely up to them - but on a public BBC forum like this I think it's totally inappropriate.

I'm not having a pop at those of you posting in text speak in this conversation by the way, I know it's intended as a joke. At least I think it is - one of the problems with communicating in text of any kind is the ease with which you can be misunderstood. But in any case I don't get the joke because I can't understand the text speak.

?

i use abbreviations in texts when it's a long message, but otherwise i find it generally incomprehsible. it all looks like a bank password to me.

xx

I can explain "k08813rz" if anyone really cares...

ok, what does it translate into?

xx

I worked that out. Had to think about it, though. What's 133t?

Well, I can't pretend to understand the logic behind it, but...

the "k" translates to a "c"
the number "0" translates to a letter "o"
the "8"s both translate to "b"
the number "1" translates to a letter "l"
the "3" translates to an "e" ( That one particularly baffles me)
the "r" is a real "r"
and the "z" is apparently cooler than an "s"

...so "k08813rz" translates as "cobblers".

I have to slow down my reading to sound out all those wacky text messages, and it really bothers me. I usually *start* doing it, and then give up quickly.

i use txt alot on my fone n yes i admit sometimes i do shorten words on here but i try to keep it to just 'n' instead of and. anyone ggot a prob with that? n as for the person who doesnt like 'lol' well theres loads of people who overuse n abusee smilies. iv seen some posting with as many as 20 smilies. is that really necessary? if people are gonna complain abut txt speak then perhaps people should think about the overuse of smilies. i admit having some on posting does show exactly what the person is feeling like or .

im not gonna stop the way i type just cus a few people dont like it. dont see why i should. im ME n NO way will i change for anyone. i have stopped using words like 'wud' for would or 'ppl' for people etc etc cus it seems alot of people take offence to it but at the end of the day if you can understand the message then whats the harm in it? personally it seems alot of people are making a mountain out of a molehill it really isnt that important to rant over is it? come on lighten up people

Online people only have the words you write to judge you on, if you're chatting with your mates you can talk how you want. But if you want to impress someone online then using real words is showing that you're spending time talking to them.

I've noticed more digibox users are using textese I expect that it must be more difficult to type if you are using your TV rather than a computer which is set up be in a comfortable position for you to type in.

Diddy-

No one's asking you to stop. I'm glad there's more diversity on this thread, instead a bunch of old fuddy duddies.

I, and apparently several other people just find it annoying

Z

to be honest im not out to impress anyone on this site they can like me or not like me. i certainly wont cry over it if people dont like what i say. i believe in freedom of speech if its not abusing people.

jodan

well as you can see from my postings i dont really use txt talk. i certainly wouldnt use words that people cant/dont understand. i can understand how you would find it annoying when people overuse txt talk. my gripe is with people who use wors like tHiS. theres absolutely no need whatsoever to put capital letters every other letter. does anyone else agree with this? now that does look messy doesnt it

oh Z yes im a digibox user. we have to use an infrared keyboard which isnt_that_good. doesnt mean we have to overuse txt talk tho. oh thats another word i abbreviate 'tho' surely thats acceptable isnt it?

Diddy!