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Grammar. |
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/ Rating: 7.33/10.00
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| Dictionary.com wrote: |
gram·mar n.
1. The study of how words and their component parts combine to form sentences. The study of structural relationships in language or in a language, sometimes including pronunciation, meaning, and linguistic history.
2. The system of inflections, syntax, and word formation of a language. The system of rules implicit in a language, viewed as a mechanism for generating all sentences possible in that language.
3. A normative or prescriptive set of rules setting forth the current standard of usage for pedagogical or reference purposes. Writing or speech judged with regard to such a set of rules. |
That definition is an eloquent way of stating that grammar is the set of rules that define our language.
However, one might be thinking: why do we have grammar? What is the need, really? Why do they teach us all of this stuff in school, and force us to use proper grammar in our writing conventions?
There are many reasons, but the main reason we learn proper spelling and grammar is to avoid looking stupid. Trust me, it's true.
I'm going to cut to the chase. Many people around the world either do not know the meaning of grammar, or they know the meaning but do not know how to implement it. This may be due to lack of education, or contempt for the academic system, or even reasons beyond human control. Yet, there are some who know the meaning, and the methods of implementation, and voluntarily choose not to follow standard conventions!
With the advent of text-based online chat, a new syntax has emerged, commonly known as "txt" talk. Not to be confused with its more ominous cousin, leetspeak, txt talk was simply supposed to be a shorthand method for typing, a method meant to enhance speed and simplicity. However, when one can type quickly and efficiently, txt talk need not be used. Correct? Apparently, many of today's youth do not seem to think so.
Forums and chat rooms are littered with phrases such as "wat u doin" and "ima prolly go sk8 in a sec". Many people who type like this think that they're doing everyone a service, when in reality they're just annoying everyone who reads it. For every abbreviation, the mind must take extra time to see which meaning correlates with the phrase.
Good grammar is imperative to success in life; if your grammar is poor, it might be helpful to visit Dictionary.com or pay a visit to your elementary school and peruse one of those grammar books. It will help.
However, for the purpose of posting on eryc, I'm going to make some simple guidelines that everyone should follow.
1.) If you know how to spell a word correctly, then by all means, do so! Abbreviations for common words serve no purpose here at eryc. We are all learned people; if you type "you" instead of "u", we will understand what you mean. If you are not sure how to spell a word, spell it the best you can, follow it with "(sp?)" and perhaps throw in an apology for the spelling. The community will understand.
2.) Do not omit words. I'm not telling you to be verbose, but I am telling you to use enough words that we can understand you. Do not type "went cobb skate yesterday billy nollie kickflip hurt".
3.) Use punctuation. Use periods, commas, even colons and semicolons if you are so inclined. Please, please, do not write a sentence consisting of 200 words and no punctuation.
4.) Use paragraphs. If you have a large block of thought and you want to transition to something else, paragraphs are very helpful as a transition tool.
5.) I think this one is optional, but use capitalization. It's a good habit to get into and it makes reading easier. This is a rule I've yet to follow, but I will try to do so in the future.
6.) No txt language. No sk8, l8r, h8r, asl?, w/e, etc etc. As I said above, if it's a simple word or phrase, you don't have to abbreviate it.
7.) Do not, I repeat, do NOT use leetspeak. When one sees something like "0mg 1 4r3 $0 733t ph34r m3 u 4r3 pwn3d", best case scenario they simply don't read it. I know I don't. Worst case scenario, someone gets very angry and bad things happen. Do not use leetspeak.
8.) Almost forgot this one! It doesn't happen very often here at eryc, but do not shout. That means don't type in all caps. Do not type "HEY GUYS MY NAME'S RODNEY, LIKE RODNEY MULLEN I LIKE COOKIES AND MILK WITH MY FRONTSIDE FLIPS". No.
I think that wraps it up. Follow these guidelines; you'll seem smart, and you should be in the clear. Try your hardest to spell well, and to use good grammar; as long as you try, the eryc community will be forgiving. I don't think that I've forgotten anything.
Happy posting! |
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 7:57 pm |
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This is excellent. Nice one Luncheon-Voucher-Meat-Man,
I think this should be something that everyone should be directed to
before they can make their first post, not like a disclaimer, but
it gets the initial point about typing across perfectly, fairly,
and without sounding prudish or patronising, and if newcomers who
cant be arsed to read all of Lunchmeats article, then they wont waste
their time and ours posting incohesive tat on the beautiful pages
of eryc, the will simply say "sod this" and bugger off! I mean, it's
not hard to be a good typer is it.
Top one Meatman, I rated this 10/10 by the way. |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 9:41 am |
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Awesome. Utterly, utterly awesome. I will say one thing though: if you don't know how to spell a word - look the God damned thing up in a dictionary. It'll take you about thirty seconds, and you'll have learned something new. It's almost as good as landing a new trick for the first time.
Well, nearly. |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 4:53 pm |
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Only read the first paragraph of it so far (i'm lazy and angry- like a communist) but i'll get to it later. Right now I want to share something that SHOCKED me earlier.
I walked into science. I sat down. I moved a piece of graph paper out of my way. Girl sitting next to me asks me if its mine. I say no. Five god damn minutes later I look across and it has been written on, and it said something along the lines of "lol! dat paper was sooo funny! ne way omg..." etc etc. That is all I remember of it, but who the hell actually writes ne thing, or omg on paper?! |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:43 am |
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| G'Man wrote: |
I think this should be something that everyone should be directed to before they can make their first post, not like a disclaimer, but
it gets the initial point about typing across perfectly, fairly, |
I agree, slightly.
Many newcomers might not need to be directed to this though, and they may be put off from eryc if they were forced to at-least look at it before being allowed to post. I say we just direct it to the ones who need it.
If we work as a team... we can fight off text talk and leet languages! Lets go!
*Walks off alone with arm raised* |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 1:33 am |
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Great Article.
But are new young members really going to be bothered to read all that? |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 9:41 am |
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| thats great lunchmeat thanks for that very interesting stuff |
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| Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 3:42 pm |
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| Sorry I had no idea grammer meant so much to you guys. From now on I will write my sentences like this. |
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| Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 7:44 pm |
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omg wot da 'ell iz dis mon???
No im joking good work dude!
>-(' ')-> |
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| Posted: Thu May 12, 2005 7:47 pm |
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| Hello i am clo, i'm from england and i don't really get y i have 2 spell stuff rite, coz i h8 that but i will try if i can ... okay i will start again , hello i am clo, i am from England and i luv skating (yes girls can sk8 mwah ha ha ha haaaa) i like green day, red hot chili peppers, korn, AC/DC, and some other things ... if you can be bothered you can talk 2 me ... or wateva...it's your life |
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| Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 3:13 pm |
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| That's a good article, but it's something that everyone who has replied to it would know anyway. And I find it slightly funny that you are using over the top correct grammar, where you wouldn't everyday. |
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