Watch for chatspeak please

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July 17th, 2006, 10:44 AM
[email protected]

Hi all. I just skimmed the board a little and found a bit of an apparent outbreak of the dreaded chatspeak virus. [img]wink.gif[/img] That would include lack of punctuation, lack of capitalization where it's needed, misspellings, and abbreviations (like using "4" instead of "for"). So I'm just asking that those of you who are succumbing to this dreaded disease please take your chatspeak antibiotics, take 2 aspirin, lie down with a cool cloth on your heads, take a nap, and call me in the morning. I hope you recover soon, and that it's not too contagious. [img]wink.gif[/img]
Joy

[ July 17, 2006 07:47 AM: Message edited by: djsnjones ]
July 17th, 2006, 08:33 PM
dornroeschen

Thanks Joy! This is highly appreciated from non-native speakers. It can be really difficult to figure out what is being said - especially with abbreviations.

On that note: I've been wondering what the second F in BFF for Best Friend stands for, which quite a few have been using - haven't found a solution yet: Best Faithful Friend? Best Fantastic Friend? Best Funny Friend?
July 17th, 2006, 08:34 PM
Avione

I think it stands for "Best Friend Forever." [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ July 17, 2006 05:35 PM: Message edited by: Avione ]
July 17th, 2006, 08:51 PM
bgeurtz

I've been wondering that myself, but figured someone would ask one day.
And I always thought BF was boyfriend, go figure.
Maybe we need a recap of what abbrevations are allowed so we're all on the same sheet of music. [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img]

I remember now I thought BFF was "Best Friends Father". HAHA! I learn something new everyday.

[ July 17, 2006 06:43 PM: Message edited by: Boop0415 ]
July 17th, 2006, 10:23 PM
Sakurako

Using spell check would certainly be a bonus, too.
July 17th, 2006, 10:42 PM
DaisyDee

BF generally does stand for Boyfriend. That's why best friend is BFF- "best friend forever" to differentiate the two.
July 17th, 2006, 10:55 PM
Katie148

Yeah, I've heard BF used to mean both "best friend" and "boyfriend." Personally I don't see why it's so difficult to just type out "best friend" or "boyfriend" so people know what is meant without having to guess. How much time does it really save to abbreviate it - half a second?? Maybe it's the English major in me, but I much prefer plain old proper English with complete words, even if I do know what the abbreviation stands for. So thanks for this reminder about chatspeak, Joy!
July 17th, 2006, 11:19 PM
GreyMyst

Quote:

Originally posted by Sakurako:
Using spell check would certainly be a bonus, too.

Most browsers don't have spell check.

On my computer it requires copying each and every post to the clipboard, opening word(which takes several minutes) spell checking, then pasting back into the board. All that for one or two mispelled words? I don't think so.

When I used AOL boards, spell check was built into everyone's post box and IMO there was no excuse not to use it. There are a wide variety of computers and browsers using this board, most of which don't have spell check availible for web forms.
July 18th, 2006, 12:05 AM
Katie from IL

Quote:

Originally posted by Kit 1934:
But some abbreviations like LOL are very well known, so I can understand why they would be allowed. Others, however, like LMBFBO are just stupid. Does it really save you that much time?

What does LMBFBO stand for anyways? And what about IMO/IMHO? I see that here all the time.

Did you realize we have one of thes netspeak things in our smileys? ----> [img]graemlins/asl.gif[/img] <------ I've always wondered what that stads for. What does it stand for anyways?

In addition, we use a lot of our own special abbreviations on this board? AG, AGP, AGPC/AGPNY/AGPLA, NIB, LE, BT, BB, JYL/AGT, HSH, ....
We assume everyone knows what they mean including me [img]redface.gif[/img] , because of the nature of the board. But if we're talking about netspeak and abbreviations, can you please clarify what is OK and what is not, including using our own special American Girl abbreviations? For the longest time I never knew what MCM stands for!

I'm not being sarcastic or trying to be a pain or give anyone a hard time, I try to respect the rules as much as possible. I usually spell out most of my words. As someone who tends to take too many things too literally, I genuinely need to know where the rules lie. Thanks.

[ July 17, 2006 09:28 PM: Message edited by: Diamond Dragon ]
July 18th, 2006, 12:13 AM
cebula_2005

IM(H)O=In My (humble) opinion.

[img]graemlins/asl.gif[/img] Is a question asking for your Age, Sex, and Location...personal info I would NOT reccommend giving out over the internet.

HTH (Hope This Helps)
Tra
July 18th, 2006, 12:27 AM
[email protected]

If you check the FAQs section for our board, you will see a list of abbreviations that are allowed. We've been planning to update that information soon.

Also, if anyone new doesn't know, AGP is American Girl Place, and the other letter(s) that are added on to the end are for which city they are in. NIB is often used on ebay for "new in box", BB=Bitty Baby, BT=Bitty Twins, JLY/AGT=Just Like You/American Girl Today, and HSH=Hopscotch Hill dolls. I can see that these are also abbreviations that we should add to our list. Thanks.

Joy
July 18th, 2006, 12:30 AM
Katie from IL

Joy

Thanks for the info. Is there any way we can remove the ASL graemlin from our list of graemlins, since that one is encouraging behavior not appropriate for our board? Now since I know what it's for I see why no one ever uses that one.

I just checked the rules and FAQ(frequently asked questions) and I didn't see any rules about not using netspeak. I did see in the FAQ a list of abbreviations (including MCM, sorry that was my fault I didn't realize there was an explanation there), but I couldn't find the rule that says no netspeak. I do agree with it, but I couldn't find the rule.

Oh, by the way can we post a link to what the numbers for the American Girl Today dolls look like? I have been collecting for about 5 years now and I still haven't memorized when someone says they want an AGT 16 or AG 5 or whatever. I only know the 3 I have in my collection by heart. For a new collector, seeing the numbers can be kind of overwhelming. I try to keep a print out of the American Girl Choose your doll page and their number written next to each one so when someone says a number I can look it up. But, unfortunately I still have to look most of them up [img]redface.gif[/img]

Sorry I don't mean to be annoying I am just requesting some things clarified, and I guess I never really took the time to mention about the Today doll numbers, but that's been an issue with me for all the time I've been on this board, over a year.

[ July 17, 2006 10:31 PM: Message edited by: Diamond Dragon ]
July 18th, 2006, 01:25 AM
[email protected]

Sounds like great ideas. I'll pass them on. Thanks.

We are updating the rules and FAQs, so maybe the netspeak rule will be more clear then. Perhaps in the past we've just spoken this rule as the need came up.

Joy

[ July 17, 2006 10:26 PM: Message edited by: djsnjones ]
July 18th, 2006, 01:52 AM
dianasmama

silly me...I really didn't give it much thought before, but I thought that ASL was American Sign Language [img]redface.gif[/img]

Laurie
July 18th, 2006, 02:01 AM
JenniferRobin

Quote:

Originally posted by SaraLovesHerDollys:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Sakurako:
Using spell check would certainly be a bonus, too.

Most browsers don't have spell check.

On my computer it requires copying each and every post to the clipboard, opening word(which takes several minutes) spell checking, then pasting back into the board. All that for one or two mispelled words? I don't think so.

When I used AOL boards, spell check was built into everyone's post box and IMO there was no excuse not to use it. There are a wide variety of computers and browsers using this board, most of which don't have spell check availible for web forms.<hr /></blockquote>Now I'm confused. I thought spell check was built into the reply function of this board. When you click on reply, to the left of the dialogue box (on my computer anyways), there is a "check spelling" option. I use it all the time.
July 18th, 2006, 02:21 AM
muppetquilter

I thought the ASL graemlin was American Sign Language as well. I guess that doesn't really make any sense-- you don't need sign language for written text. I would never have figured out what that one really meant.

I have always used HHS for Hopscotch Hill School as Hopscotch is one word. Do I have to retrain myself? I know it will be hard to break that pattern-- I like abbreviations to be consistent so HHS makes sense to me because that is the first letter of each word.

I'm glad it is okay to abbreviate AG specific words like Bitty Baby, Just Like You, etc. Those are words we use all the time around here.

I am guilty of not always proof reading my posts. I know I should, but sometimes I am trying to type a response in the 30 seconds my children have given me....

Are things like DD, DS and DH okay?
July 18th, 2006, 04:10 AM
GreyMyst

Quote:

Originally posted by JenniferRobin:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by SaraLovesHerDollys:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Sakurako:
Using spell check would certainly be a bonus, too.

Most browsers don't have spell check.

On my computer it requires copying each and every post to the clipboard, opening word(which takes several minutes) spell checking, then pasting back into the board. All that for one or two mispelled words? I don't think so.

When I used AOL boards, spell check was built into everyone's post box and IMO there was no excuse not to use it. There are a wide variety of computers and browsers using this board, most of which don't have spell check availible for web forms.<hr /></blockquote>Now I'm confused. I thought spell check was built into the reply function of this board. When you click on reply, to the left of the dialogue box (on my computer anyways), there is a "check spelling" option. I use it all the time.<hr /></blockquote>Nope, no link for me on my Mac.

I checked and there is a link when I view the board on my other computer, but it doesn't go to anything. It's a PC though, so I suspect that's my security/popup blocker software stopping it.
July 18th, 2006, 04:26 AM
smwoodsie2004

I too thought the asl was some sort of something for american sign language & until now, did not know what hth meant and guessed a few others. I grew up around computers, but not the internet so I feel slightly embarrassed when I know I don't know as much as others do. This is the first chat place I ever went to, so I was always scared to b/c I knew so little, I can imagine how others feel too, so thanks for the reminder to others that some just aren't as experienced as others!

[ July 19, 2006 10:19 PM: Message edited by: djsnjones ]
July 18th, 2006, 11:32 AM
jlogemann17

Quote:

Originally posted by dianasmama:
silly me...I really didn't give it much thought before, but I thought that ASL was American Sign Language [img]redface.gif[/img]

Laurie

As a sign language interpreter, that was my first thought too. I couldn't figure out why the question mark, and why just ASL? Why not the ASL "I love you" sign or something like that? Just goes to show, you probably won't catch me using a lot of chatspeak- LOL is about as much as I know!

Jo
July 18th, 2006, 03:14 PM
joelanddeborah

Having a daughter that is fourteen and wanting to be on the internet, [img]confused.gif[/img] I am quite amused by all this chatspeak! [img]wink.gif[/img] I hate it, of course, and I like to tell my daughter that attracting intelligent people, even online, will only benefit her.

Thank you for keeping us "intelligent beings."

(Edited)
By the way, I think things like DH, DD, DS, and AG terms are great, [img]biggrin.gif[/img] since we share a common hobby on this board.

[ July 18, 2006 12:15 AM: Message edited by: Deborah and Girls ]
July 18th, 2006, 03:31 PM
thepidget

Quote:

Originally posted by Kit 1934:
But when you are RELENTLESSLY making grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, you look so stupid.

This is absolutely not an attack or anything, but I just wanted to comment on this remark. I think it's a bit unfair to be so harsh on some people who don't use grammar or spelling well. Some people might have real disabilities with writing and reading (like dyslexia), or they might have had a very limited education, or English might not even be their first language. Also, I know some very intelligent people who simply don't recognize when they make spelling errors, and using spell check might not always be convenient if you just want to make some quick comments on HB. This board should be for everyone, and I just don't want anyone to feel bad for having writing skills that aren't perfect. [img]frown.gif[/img]

Just my humble opinion...
July 18th, 2006, 04:08 PM
kitswift22007

When I first came to the board, I was really confused by all the abbreviations as well. We need an index sticky up at the top with all the American Girl abbreviations like "NWOB" and "AGPLA" for users new to the board.

And finally, what is this? [img]graemlins/handcuffs.gif[/img] Oh. They're handcuffs- from what it says between the colons. Haha, never mind.
July 18th, 2006, 04:55 PM
judiaci

We are not looking for perfection. We just want everyone to try their best to use good grammar.

It is fairly obvious when someone is using a lot of chatspeak and not using any uppercase letters, etc. This is what we are trying to avoid - not the inevitable typo.

It has been a long time since I have been in English class and I know I make mistakes, too.
July 18th, 2006, 06:44 PM
[email protected]

I agree with Judi. We are not looking for perfection, but it becomes pretty obvious that it's not just random typos when a person consistently writes in all lower-case letters, or consistently doesn't capitalize when they say "I", or consistently leaves the "e" off the ends of words, or consistently substitutes numbers for words, or substitutes abbreviations for words, etc.
Joy

[ July 18, 2006 03:45 PM: Message edited by: djsnjones ]
July 19th, 2006, 03:38 AM
Felicity_Fan85

Quote:

Originally posted by thepidget:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Kit 1934:
But when you are RELENTLESSLY making grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, you look so stupid.

This is absolutely not an attack or anything, but I just wanted to comment on this remark. I think it's a bit unfair to be so harsh on some people who don't use grammar or spelling well. Some people might have real disabilities with writing and reading (like dyslexia), or they might have had a very limited education, or English might not even be their first language. Also, I know some very intelligent people who simply don't recognize when they make spelling errors, and using spell check might not always be convenient if you just want to make some quick comments on HB. This board should be for everyone, and I just don't want anyone to feel bad for having writing skills that aren't perfect. [img]frown.gif[/img]

Just my humble opinion...<hr /></blockquote>I agree with this, ThePidget. Also, sometimes it's not a matter of spelling or gramatical issues but rather that sometimes when people type, they are bound to make typos. People type at different speeds and in different ways. I know I can't type the "correct way" - I just never got the hang of it. but I understand about not liking mistakes. I think of it almost as if you're talking to someone- you can stutter or accidently stumble on a word but that doesn't mean you're not smart. I think some typos should be okay so long as it's hopefully not every word. That's my honest/humble opinion.
July 20th, 2006, 04:07 PM
[email protected]

I am very glad to see that some of you who were using chatspeak are apparently editing yourselves now.

There are still a few who are apparently continuing to use chatspeak. As I come across it, I will edit, as a way to let you know what we're looking for. If you see that happening with your posts, please either take that as a gentle hint to start editing yourselves, or email me with any questions or concerns or special needs that you may have.

Here are the types of things that I am looking for....

--writing out whole words, instead of leaving out some letters or substituting numbers for some words.

--using periods at the ends of sentences, rather than numerous commas and endless run-on sentences.

--using capitalization for the first word of every sentence, for names of people and places, and for the word "I".

--doing your best to spell words correctly. Occasional mistakes are to be expected, but consistently spelling certain words incorrectly implies that those mistakes are not typos. I'm a pretty good speller, but I keep a dictionary by my computer, to check myself when I'm uncertain on some spelling.

Thanks to all of you for whatever you're doing to make this board a pleasant place to visit.

Joy
August 14th, 2006, 08:40 AM
[email protected]

I'm still finding some people who seem to have this habit or difficulty. If you are one of them, please email me and let me know if you have some kind of special needs that we need to make accommodations for.

Thanks,
Joy
August 14th, 2006, 04:00 PM
XX_Kitkat_XX

Yes,I agree with ya,chatspeak is hard to translate. That's why I try and tell my fellow classmates not to use it, since they are just beginning to use the computer. [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img] But they never listen..*Shakes head*

[ August 14, 2006 02:02 PM: Message edited by: djsnjones ]
August 14th, 2006, 07:06 PM
katherinecusick

Hello Moderators,

After reading through the above, I will definitely try to avoid chatspeak! Are abbreviations like "info" for information ok? That word is one of my common flaws.

Also, would you be willing to send out a thread when the glossary of AG related abbreviations is updated? I've managed to figure most of them out simply by context but it's great to have a reference area too. I'm pretty naive and would never have figured out ASL if it wasn't for this thread--now that I've been illuminated I agree it's not really appropriate for this board.

If there are spelling errors usually it is because I'm typing fast & just don't catch them.

Katie
August 14th, 2006, 07:13 PM
[email protected]

If you check our FAQs page, there is a list there of the abbreviations that are allowed, although I have noticed that some of our common AG abbreviations aren't there, like....
AGP=American Girl Place
AGPC=American Girl Place Chicago
AGPNY=American Girl Place New York
AGPLA=American Girl Place Los Angeles

Does anyone else remember any others of our common AG abbreviations?

And "info" is so much a part of our everyday language that it is also allowed.

Welcome, and if you have any more questions, please let us know.

Joy

[ August 14, 2006 04:19 PM: Message edited by: djsnjones ]
August 14th, 2006, 07:20 PM
bethmn

I use www.iespell.com
Works well for netscape.
August 14th, 2006, 07:41 PM
TaffyCheerful

Quote:

Originally posted by SaraLovesHerDollys:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Sakurako:
Using spell check would certainly be a bonus, too.

Most browsers don't have spell check.<hr /></blockquote>If you reply to a message, right there on the left side of the page, there is the "Check Spelling" feature...

Taffy
August 14th, 2006, 07:47 PM
AGStefanie

Hi,

I dont mean to be a pain or anything, but all the rules are kind of making me "afraid" to post on this board. I for the life of me cannot type with capital letters at the beginning of sentences on boards like this. I am 23 years old, I grew up talking to all my friends on instant messenger, and it is very difficult to remember punctuation, etc. I think I am a very good speller and use periods where they belong but i tend to forget to capitalize. I can type very very fast and even throughout college, when i wrote my papers, the program would capitalize words like "I" and words in the beginning of a sentence for me. It just goes faster, you get more done. I can type everything as someone is saying it to me without pausing or asking to repeat.

I am not trying to debate whether this is right or wrong, or makes kids today lazier, etc. but thats how it is for me. That does not mean that i dont know that the first letter of a sentence should be capitalized, or that im being careless, and always do it in regular writing.

I dont think not using capitals takes away from the understanding of my writing either. Other things that have been changed in my writing werent abbreviations and i feel like they were completely understandable.

Thats just my opinion, but I feel like i will be more reluctant to post now. there have been a lot of times where people have typed incoherently on here or with way less than perfect grammar and i read it and skipped over it. or, if it was a topic i was very interested in i tried to figure it out. I just think this is seeming very formal to me with these rules.

Sorry if anyone doesnt agree.

edited to say that i think the board is so helpful! if anyone doesnt understand a certain abbreviation, the board usually clarifies it in a few minutes. my opinion is that as long as it doesnt get too out of hand with pluralizing a word with a Z instead of an S or something, that everything is fine.

[ August 14, 2006 04:58 PM: Message edited by: AGStefanie ]
August 14th, 2006, 08:03 PM
[email protected]

Thanks for explaining your perspective, AGStefanie.

I notice that you did succeed at doing much better with the capitalization and punctuation in this post.

While I can now understand your discomfort much more clearly, our standards are there for good reasons, and we need to request that all of our members do their best to follow these rules. Otherwise, more and more members will be tempted to slip back into "chatspeak".

I have been trying to contact various members privately, as I notice which members are having difficulties in this area, but since we moderators are only human, we will not necessarily read every post, or notice every habit of incoherence, or others of the aspects of "chatspeak". We can only contact those that we do happen to come across. So you will still occasionally find someone who hasn't gotten "into the groove" yet, but hopefully as time goes by, and people get more accustomed to writing this way, those slip-ups will be fewer and fewer.

Fortunately, speed is not necessary when we are typing on a message board.

We would love to have you stay and post with us. Perhaps you might become more comfortable with the rules as you continue to practice this new kind of writing? Or perhaps you might enlist a friend to edit your posts for you every 12-24 hrs?

Thanks again,
Joy

[ August 14, 2006 05:16 PM: Message edited by: djsnjones ]

[ August 14, 2006 05:20 PM: Message edited by: djsnjones ]
August 14th, 2006, 08:13 PM
AGStefanie

I am sorry, I will try harder. It is just a habit for me and thats how I type without thinking. Like, if i read a topic and want to reply, I just start typing as I'm thinking and it happens.

I think I can type the right way as long as I remember (thats the problem though!). Some other members have been very very nice and explained to me that it takes them longer to understand. Hope I can get it right!

-Stefanie
August 14th, 2006, 08:18 PM
[email protected]

Thanks, Stefanie!

We certainly can't ask more of people than that they try!

Thanks again,
Joy [img]smile.gif[/img]
August 14th, 2006, 08:21 PM
smwoodsie2004

I kinda agree with Stephenie. I should feel comfortable here, not feeling like someone is looking over my shoulder, as if I am in school, critiquing everything I write. This whole topic makes me feel uncomfortable and feel as if the mods think we are children that need to monitered in regards to our English skills. Beleive me, when I say I am new to "chatspeak", but we learn and adapt. Everyone here, never seem to have a problem explaining anything. I want to feel comfortable here, but if it begins to feel as if this board is analyzing everything I write and edited it, then I wouldn't want to be here. This is not a paper or a school/work site that needs to represent proper English skills, this is friends talking to each other. Another thing is if the moderators are going to decide what is acceptable in terms of shortened words, then it should be all words. Why is it a pick and choose option? Either let abbrivations in or non at all. Another thing, my screen for posting a reply DOES NOT have spell check, and when I am talking to friends, I don't look at a dictionary or type a sentence to see if it is grammatically correct before I speak, that is what school and work is for, not conversing amoungst friends. That's my two cents about this.
-Lorelei
August 14th, 2006, 08:24 PM
only1genevieve

The more you practice, the easier it will get. Just think, this is good practice for all of the e-mails you will have to send at and for work later on in life [img]smile.gif[/img] .
August 14th, 2006, 08:38 PM
[email protected]

As we explained earlier in the thread, we are not looking for perfection. We are mainly looking for the basics, and they would be as follows.......

--capitalization at the beginning of sentences
--capitalization of proper names
--capitalization of the word "I"
--periods at the ends of sentences, instead of paragraph-long run-on sentences, with commas where periods should be
--apostrophies for words that are contractions, like "don't", "they're", "I'll", "can't", etc.
--absence of the substitution of various numbers and letters for real words, like "c" for "see", and "4" for "for", etc.

And we aren't editing for occasional slip-ups. What I watch for is what a person's habitual way of writing is. When I see a post that is full of problems like those I have listed just now, I then look at other posts by the same person. "Full" means that most or all of the contractions are minus apostrophes, most or all of the capitalization is missing, or most or all of the punctuation is missing. If all of their posts are full of the same problems, then I contact them.

We also have a list of approved abbreviations in the FAQs page, for all of you to refer to if you have questions. Hopefully we can update it soon, to add the common AG abbreviations that we all use, so that the newcomers and non-English-speakers will not be so mystified.

So please, everyone, please do not start to feel paranoid. The occasional slip-up is not at all a problem. None of us is perfect, and we all make mistakes sometimes, and that's ok.

Joy [img]wink.gif[/img]

[ August 14, 2006 05:41 PM: Message edited by: djsnjones ]
August 14th, 2006, 08:42 PM
AGStefanie

Quote:

Originally posted by for_my_rose:
This whole topic makes me feel uncomfortable and feel as if the mods think we are children that need to monitered in regards to our English skills.

I dont mean to keep this topic going or anything, but I think that is kind of what bothered me at first. It is kind of uncomfortable, but I am working on it if people can understand me better. People who did grow up doing everything on the computer tend to type different, and I dont mean to offend in any way. It tended to make me feel young to be corrected.

I can completely see both sides- at first I thought that it didn't matter because everyone can understand me either way. But now it has been called to my attention that not everyone does understand without the capitals. So- I'm working on it for that.

And that's all I have to say on it!

[ August 14, 2006 05:46 PM: Message edited by: AGStefanie ]

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