Rant About Slang

1. 84

   Whitney05posted 13 years ago

   When you write a hub, or a few hubs, and throughout the entire thing you use:
   
   * 'da' instead of 'the'
   * 'dat' instead of 'that'
   * 'dere' instead of 'there'
   * 'dem' instead of 'them'
   * 'dan' instead of 'than'
   * other various slang
   
   It's ridiculous. I realize sometimes you may be trying to look cute, but it sounds ridiculous, and the hub just isn't fully read-only skimmed. (Ok, well I skimmed really well for these pointers, but I didn't actually read the thing.)
   
   It's not cute... I promise
   
   
   
   Not only that, there are tons of misspellings throughout the hub... Come on.. There's a spell check for a reason, and it doesn't catch everything, but I promise it will catch:
   
   * pwoduction (attempts to be cute)
   * prwetty (attempts to be cute)
   * beened instead of been
   * organiztion
   * turneded

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   1. 60

      DogSiDaedposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Ya wot manz?

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   2. 76

      Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      
      
      It just goes to show people really don't check their work or don't care.

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   3. 59

      tobey100posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I've been guilty of a few glaring errors in spite of spellcheck.  I try to write like I talk and with a mother, ex english teacher, I try to refrain from any slang unless it makes up part of the storyline.  I do have trouble, due to excessive typing speed with words like there, their and they're.
      For that, I humbly apologize now.  (you can't see me but I'm bowing)

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      1. 74

         cheaptrickposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         The there their and they're thing and the to too and two thing drive me nuts.I never get it right so I keep a fifth of Tequila around.It doesn't solve the problem but after a few belts I don't care.....<---Don't ya hate when I do that lol....

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   4. 50

      warchild75posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Couldn't agree more

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      1. 59

         tobey100posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Same here.  It's the writing to me.

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         1. 59

            tobey100posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Oh, and one more thing.  Anytime, anyone sees an english error or typo on one of my hubs, please, please let me know.  You won't hurt my feelings in any way.  I'll be very grateful.

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2. 0

   Denno66posted 13 years ago

   Huh. These Hubs sound like an interesting read, actually.

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3. 81

   kirstenblogposted 13 years ago

   If you have been goodly edumucated you no mistake spellin like dis
   
   
   
   
   
   Better?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Sorry couldn't resist!

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4. 61

   Alessia Amnesiaposted 13 years ago

   I wholeheartedly agree! I am sick of people who, basically, make a mockery of the entire English language. When I see people who can't spell a simple word like "the" properly, I just can't help but ask "Did you even GO to school?"
   
   Yes, I make spelling mistakes, but I also have this nifty built in thing called a SPELL CHECKER. It's built in to most browsers, actually. When you see a red line under a word, that means it's not spelled correctly!
   
   You know what people think of people who can not seem to spell words like: "the," "that," "then," and "what?" Well, I can't speak for all of society, but I will speak for myself. I think this person must be borderline retarded.
   
   Your hub will then be rated down by me.
   
   Kudos to the OP for trying to save the English language. I'm going to stop now before I get myself all worked up.

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   1. 0

      Justine76posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Im sure some people do it to be cool. I just wanted to let you know, I do not have any sort of spell check. I can't be the only one?
      No lines, no check. nothing.
      Its all me, catching my own mistakes, wich is hard.

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      1. 74

         cheaptrickposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Justine,Try adding Google tool bar and look for the Spell Check feature in its menu.I had the same problem and was surprised that not many have the feature anymore,Don't know why.

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         1. 0

            Justine76posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            oops...just saw this....nice advice, but I cant download anything. Im saving for a new computer...its the only choice 
            oh yeah...peace out

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      2. 0

         Kenrick Chatmanposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Wow. I thought the majority of people used Microsoft Office or at least Word. I have to admit that my use of the spell checker for the past 15 years has had a negative impact on my spelling abilities.
         
         But I use some Southern slang in my speech at times. For example, I'm fixin to go to the store OR What are yall doing?

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5. 59

   Dame Scribeposted 13 years ago

   I won't even finish reading if I have no idea what they are talking bout

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6. 0

   Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

   I can't imagine why anyone would think that that's a good idea. If they aren't native English speakers, they might have picked the wrong source to learn English from. If they are native speakers, they need to re-educate themselves.
   
   I can only imagine what the search engines think of these hubs. Although maybe they have fellow linquists typing that in. I'd be curious how successful these hubs are. My gut tells me that they are a waste of energy.

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7. 74

   cheaptrickposted 13 years ago

   What about Poetic Licence?Does that count as slang?

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   1. 61

      Alessia Amnesiaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Poetic license is much different than trying to write a serious article using words like "da" and "shiznit."

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      1. 74

         cheaptrickposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I'm a bit thick.Please explain.

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         1. 69

            aguasilverposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Who do I apply to for a Poetic license?
            
            and is it permitted to wax lyrically without one?

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            1. 74

               cheaptrickposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               I don't have a clue Agua.Just seems to me there's alot of intolerance about slang.I wrote a nonsensical Hub that had no point at all.A bunch of folks read it and virtually all said they didn't get the point but it made them laugh which Was the point.I understand Sloppy being annoying but we should be careful not to include writing for effect.it has its place to.Wouldn't you agree?

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   2. 0

      Denno66posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I agree. If it's used to further the story, then, yeah, it could be an effective tool.

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8. 69

   aguasilverposted 13 years ago

   What about my dilemma.... do I set my spell checker to English (UK) or English (US).... Arrrggggghhhhh!
   
   

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9. 0

   Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

   Who is your main audience? Does it matter? I can easily tell Britsh English from American English and it really doesn't matter to me.

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   1. 69

      aguasilverposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      It can drive me to distraction.... if I spell (and write) in American do I lose the Brits, and if I write in English (like 'wot' the Queen speaks)I have Americans asking me for translations on some words...
      
      OK I'm not being serious, I can live with 'z's being inserted where there should be an 's' and I can see that color is easier to write than colour, like wise with favor.....

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10. 63

    Wayne Orvisburgposted 13 years ago

    There's a spell check?

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    1. 69

       aguasilverposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Well you may not have noticed it, I didn't until someone told me that the red line under all my words woz not normal!

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    2. 75

       Happyontheinsideposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       hehehe!
       
       Personally I'm a warcraft player, you get all these wee young ones on giving it l33t, zomg, l2p, nub: basically words I DONT UNDERSTAND...Maybe I'm not 'down with the kids' anymore or something, at any rate what is happening to the English language? It's up to us to keep it alive by only using proper words...I say this calls for a campaign! To the library!

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11. 77

    Arthur Fontesposted 13 years ago

    How about text language OMG IMO etc...

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12. 0

    Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

    It can affect SERP results depending upon your niche. Only in that way would I worry about it.

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    1. 69

       aguasilverposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Nelle I apologise, I'm just taking a break from a difficult hub subject and letting off a bit of steam...
       
       I know you are a serious writer here (and commercially successful) but I'm not in your class! so I apologise for being obtuse, I normally use UK English as I am happier with it, but I do wonder sometimes whether I would fare better using a US checker, my hubs are not commercial, they are mainly Christian based, so I don't think my language usage will affect my SERP's 'cos Genesis is Genesis in either spell checker!
       
       Thanks for being patient with me anyway, and trying to help!

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13. 0

    Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

    No problem. Just enjoy your writing.

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14. 84

    Whitney05posted 13 years ago

    As a part of a story, that's one thing, but if there isn't a story, there's no sense in it. If you're not writing a conversation between character's, cut it out.
    
    The particular hubs that started this, were just informative hubs. No storyline. The hubber was really trying to be cute, in my opinion.
    
    I've seen a few hubbers write cutesy bc their avatar is an animal, so I guess they feel like they need to talk from an animal's point of view. Personally, I don't care, it's not cute. It's irritating.. Plus, rabbits can't type, so don't try to pretend you're writing as a rabbit.
    
    I got an email one time just like what I'm complaining about. It was from a person writing from they're gecko's voice; I wrote back I'm not sure what you're trying to say to me, and the person got all pissed off said they thought it was cute and sorry if I didn't get it. I'm sorry I'm not 5 years old and think it's cute...
    
    
    Yes, usually I just ignore them and stop reading when they are like this, but this one was ridiculous. I guess I just needed to make a point.

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    1. 70

       darksideposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       My thoughts exactly.
       
       Writers who can't spell should really have a good hard look at themselves and make an effort.
       
       Or maybe people who can't spell who think they are writers should take a good hard look at themselves.
       
       It's not cute and it's definitely not professional.

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15. 0

    PJ_Deneenposted 13 years ago

    I agree, though I admit that I've been embarrassed by not editing some hubs more thoroughly or being exhausted and publishing something instead of letting it sit overnight to edit later.
    
    Some people purposely use LOL cats language in their online writing when they seem to want to be taken seriously.  Don't get me wrong.  I love "teh kitties" but not in an article unless it's about LOL cats.

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16. 0

    ralwusposted 13 years ago

    Hmmm, is spoonerism Okay?

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17. 72

    William F. Torpeyposted 13 years ago

    For serious writers, it's a good idea to double and triple check for errors of all sorts including spelling and grammar. As a retired newspaperman, I try to follow the New York Times Style Book: http://www.amazon.com/York-Times-Manual … 0812963881
    
    Spell check, in my opinion, is only useful as a double check. A good dictionary, or dictionary.com, is far more useful for spelling and usage. Departure from proper English should be rare and, when used, add to the value of the communication and be justified by the context.

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    1. 70

       darksideposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Class is in!

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18. 72

    sunforgedposted 13 years ago

    As Im 98% certain, i know which "character" ruffled the OP's feathers, Im gonna have to go with "lighten up"...the hubs in question are not "slang" nor the product of an inability to use spellcheck, but rather one writers creative vocabulary used to illustrate a character that she created. We are not here to judge each others creativity.
    
    Ever read Mark Twain or Ralph Ellison?
    
    i giggled a bit at the light hearted prose and the actual content is spot-on as I have a lagomorph who demonstrate that exact behavior

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19. 59

    Mrvoodooposted 13 years ago

    I personally believe it wise to tend to your own garden, and let others worry about theirs, unless they're actively seeking out help or advice.
    
    Perhaps this is how the hubbers target audience speaks?  If you were writing about the pop band 'N-Dubz' in order to promote CD's or concert tickets, you'd probably have more luck using 'text speech' over the Queens, or risk scaring off your young teenage audience.

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20. 78

    manlypoetrymanposted 13 years ago

    I like to go off on a lil' Southern "redneck-ian" binge when I write from...time to time...things like: fixin' ta, and readin'...and Gosh dang it...and ain't...come to mind at the moment. I hope folks know that I do "southern-redneck" stuff in jest.
    
    However, I always believe in getting my spelling right in everything I do...and I always end up picking alot of hard to spell words...in everything I do. I fall back on Dictionary.com...on top of "Spell Check" for alot of things. Grammer is another think...even though I believe in proper grammer...it is too much temptation to switch to redneckian phrases...when I can't get a handle on the proper grammer. But, for the most part...when I write my poems...I can probably get away with alot more stuff...then say...someone writing an article.
    
    I remember one of my English teachers telling me...way back when,
    "You can't use "ain't" in a sentence...when you write." To that I replied, "I thought you told us to write things like we would hear it...in every day language?" Never won those discussions.

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