Quote:
Originally Posted by Anguissette
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[quote:34d26] L337 vs. Internet Shorthand:
Both of these... forms of writing... are rather annoying. I contend that there IS a difference which makes one less grating than the other. L337 (where “w007” and “teh” come from and so on) was a “language” designed by hackers way back when so they could talk about their projects and no one would have a bloody idea what they were talking about. L337 (leet) is actually supposed to be short for elite, indicating one's status as a hacker. It truly is a geek language. Internet shorthand, on the other hand, is simply laziness (and the attempt at being cool) manifested in writing. An example of this shorthand would be, “OMG, CN U BELIEVE WUT THOS 2R UP 2? THEY R2 MUCH!” This format is favored by 12 year olds hanging out in forums online.
It is entirely possible, now that the much more annoying form of shorthand leaked into mainstream society after the advent of text messaging on cell phones. My issue with this, as opposed to l337, is that it pervades every part of life. Some of it while instant messaging is acceptable and appropriate (AFK, BRB, BTW, and the occasional LOL) but it has begun to pervade every aspect of the English language.
- I have heard people say “LOL”... and pronounce it “loll” as in, “Her head lolled backward.”
- I have received emails from prospective dates on Yahoo! Personals who substituted “U” for “you” and “2” for “too, two or to”. There is no character amount restriction for the site. Instead, these people choose to present themselves as drastically less intelligent than they possibly are (which wins an instant trip to the TRASH folder).
- There is an excessive overuse (is that redundant?) of the shorthand on AIM. If someone says, “AFK, making a sandwich,” that is immensely different from, “What RU doing 2day?”. The former doesn't bother me but the latter grates against every single exposed nerve.
So in summary, l337 has a somewhat noble heritage though my tolerance his its limits, while internet shorthand is the lazy-person's way of typing. I beg of the people who read this to consider what they gain by omitting one or two characters.
**NOTE 8JUN04: I was watching TV this afternoon and I saw the first use of internet shorthand in a commercial: RU instead of Are You. I immediately ran to the bathroom and retched.**
**NOTE2 18NOV04: Here's an interesting article about internet shorthand, "Does IM Make U Dum?"**[/quote:34d26]
