The problem with your argument here is that you are talking about the absorption of internet meme and colloquial dialect into everday language, whereas the question seems to focus more on writing sentences correctly. Whilst I agree with the point you specifically made, I do still think that people should do their best to write sentences correctly. It makes the meaning clear and aids the person reading in fully understanding your point (essential for sites such as this). I also think that using poor sentence structure on the internet makes it harder for you to write correctly in the real world; the places where it matters, such as at your job.

So, I think it's possible (infact, necessary for the evolution of language) to include colloquialisms and new terminologies into language, but we should still stick to standard well-formed sentence structure whilst doing it.

It should be understandable, but doesn't have to have full punctuation. It's okay to have the occasional spelling or grammar error, to the point that it's is understandable to 95% of the population.

I have to say yes, even though words sometimes escape me.

They're RanDOmneSS is soooooooooooo like, Wow! You know?

By using Internet or texting shorthand all you do is make yourself more difficult to be understood and thus become an annoyance. Spelling and grammar mistakes are one thing, it's not always convenient to use a spell checker on the Internet (unless of course one's Internet browser has a spell checker built in). But the least one can do is use letters and numbers the way they were intended. I'm sure I'm not the only one that thinks that things like "l33t" are not only difficult to decipher but generally the message that is encoded is not worth reading in the first place.

I agree that context matters in deciding whether or not to use full and complete English or acronyms and internet slang. When engaged in a debate or a similar situation in which specific language is necessary to make a clear point, then I believe that proper English is a must. However, when writing on a friend's Facebook Wall or messaging them through AIM, as long as they understand what you mean then it doesn't matter how you type.

I would like to add that internet slang that actually adds to the length and complexity of a statement isn't helping anyone, i.e. heyyyy howz ur summer goiiinggg????? :]]]]].

Speak correctly. Learn to type faster.

While I agree that our generation should create new colloquial expressions, I don't think people should write unnecessarily complex sentences. "While I agree with the point you specifically made, I do still think that people should do their best to write sentences correctly." That could easily be shortened to "I agree with your point, but syntax and grammar are important." When people (not just you, that was just an example) throw in extra words to sound intelligent. People often misuse semicolons and commas as well -- this just breaks up the flow of the statement. What people need to realize is that typing is just as fast in full and complete sentences with correct grammar, but the best writing is crisp and concise, not wordy and unnecessary.

Yes, I hate it when people type like. "omg hai u r wtf" etc.

that's when understanding comes into the equation, which is exactly what i was saying.

So what are you actually opposed to?

Speaking in full and correct sentences on the Internet should become everyone's habit because it won't make you look like an idiot. Like I always say - don't butcher the English language.

Any inappropriate combination of numbers and capital letters enter into your keyboard should trigger a high voltage shock to the figure tips of the offending typist.

Also, if you type "lol" and you're not actually laughing out loud a hydraulic boot should release from underneath your desk and deliver sweet grammatic justice to your genitals.

How you write is how you think. I've yet to have an example in my classes of a student that could think well and at the same time wrote or spoke in a confluence of jargon.

Hmmm, but doesn't that also link in with purpose and audience? Im not sure what you mean by 'such as the sites that the user chooses to go to', because my understanding is that some sites have more strict guildlines than others, because of it's intended audience and purpose.

However, i must really disagree strongly with your proposition that because you find it incomprehensible, it should be regulated. By the same token, there are many other languages out there that im sure you will not understand, however they are perfectly legitimate forms of communication. Otherwise, you have the right to feel as peeved off at these upstart punks as you like.

iz k1nda har'd understandin u if youz takkin funni but ya i gezz it doznt rlly matter if y0u uze wordz like lol n brb so yah tats wat i think

I don't think it's completely necessary to write out every word. But I am absolutely tired of people using improper grammar. Whether it be on the internet, or on television, or on the radio, it had become ridiculously common these days for people to abuse the English language by not following even the simplest elementary grammar rules. For instance, the other day i was watching a national news station (NBC, I believe) and a man was reporting the weather, talking about how it was "raining heavy in Chicago." Interesting. And pitiful. If a man can go through American school systems, American universities and get a journalism degree, can he please learn to use adverbs? So yes, proper English needs to become much more common in the television and internet worlds.

While I support speaking in good English - or Swahili - in any environment, the Internet provides an invaluable cultural melting-pot. We can observe memes forming in any online community, and I'm sure that even CreateDebate already has some, and excluding these from and discussion for the sake of "proper language" is laughable. Using in-jokes, memes and references to a subculture can enrich a conversation. I recently observed two women on a bus exchanging words in both English and an African language, clearly because some concepts are better expressed in one language than another. Take Chutzpah and try to explain it well without writing several sentences; you cannot. Using every tool we can to facilitate the transfer of knowledge is important, and while a well-structured sentence helps to get a point across, limiting one's vocabulary because of a dictionary does not.

It's all about context.

If one is posting comments on a story on CNN, then it follows that one should try to speak in complete sentences. If one is posting comments on something like Gamespot, then the comments probably need not be written to the same standard.

I'd add that, if one is trying to prove something, like how intelligent they are, for instance, then grammer, and even spelling, go a long way towards helping to make one's point.

The question I'd ask is, if it will only take a second or two more to use proper punctuation and spelling, why not use punctuation, and run that spell check?

English (not to in some way depreciate other languages,) depends a great deal on punctuation and spelling.

Consider the following three words:

There

They're

Their

Each of these words means something completely different than the other two. And the only way to tell is by punctuation.

I think that it completely depends on who you're talking to and where. For example, on this site, you want your arguments to be respected, so it's best to use complete sentences. If you're talking to your friend on AIM or something, though, as long as they can understand you, it's much more convenient to use shorthand and acronyms.

Ok, "1337" is just damn ignorant... but as long as people know what the hell your trying to say, "perfect grammar" isn't a necessity. IMHO, people who correct people online, or who even care, are just trying to look and feel superior when they see someone who makes a minor misspelling or grammatical error

The bottom line is that languages evolve. It would be foolish to say that English as we know it today will go on forever. Texting and internet slang is simply the product of the need of people to get across a simple message quickly. I do not believe that it is inappropriate or devaluing to the English language, so long as it is not used in an improper situation.

However, one of the major problems of internet slang, is that it only further dulls a message. It has been said that communication is 55% body language, 38% vocal tone, and 7% actual words used. This is why talking on the phone is less reliable than talking face to face, writing a letter is less reliable than talking on the phone, and improper grammar and spelling is much less reliable than a well written message. Point in case, texting and internet slang is great when their is a need to send a quick, simple message, of which the meaning would be difficult to confuse. But, when the message is more complex and elaborate, and miscommunication is a major issue, then it is very important to write in full and correct sentences to ensure proper interpretation.

But what you've done by shortening that sentence is that you've changed the meaning of it. I was talking about people making the effort to write correctly. We all know syntax and grammar are important, but should people make the effort whilst conversing on the internet? I think yes.

English is a living, evolving language. Every living language has it's jargons and dialects appropriate for specific environments or situations. In this case, the 'environment' is virtual. In intelligent individual should be able to choose the appropriate words to use--be they 1337 or cajun or "colorful metaphors"--in any specific circumstance. So, even though I support the Web-based dialect of English, I also recommend you not use it for your professional online interactions... unless you're professional hacker.

I think it is impossible for youths of today to write in full english sms in asia is high compared to anywhere else in the world and kids need to fit the desires into 160 characters and so there is a new breed of language from sms that is now filling the internet and in social media

You used the wrong "you're" there, said "IMHO" and missed a full stop at the end of that post; I still understood what you meant perfectly. Of course, some "Grammar Nazi's" would have flamed you and ignored everything you say after this, but they've just got a bee in their bonnets about not being able to tell the difference between "Effect" and "Affect".

That's 'grammar Nazis'. :)

I think the most important thing to consider is audience and purpose. If you intend to converse with others who similarly 13375p34|<, then it is perfectally acceptable, however , if you intend to appeal to a wide audience who may or may not understand such cultural phenomena, or are conversing in a more formal setting, effort should be taken to ensure appropriate structure, syntax and rhetoric. I guess what I'm saying is that the Internet is a medium for communication, just like a telephone. Sometimes it is appropriate to use slang with your friends, other times it is not appropriate to use such colloquialisms, say, such as inquiring into the Dean's office for scholarships.

Stop butchering Latin.

On the contrary, If you've been raised on the Internet, such shorthand comes very naturally, it's just like learning a dialect of a commonly used language. However, I do cede that to users of less fluency, it may be difficult to understand, so again it really depends on purpose and context.

It also has to do with other factors, such as the sites that the user chooses to go to. For example, I've used the Internet since I was little, but not only do I not use Internet slang I have difficulty understanding it. What I have a problem with is not so much the slang as the incoherent mess of symbols that often appear.

It's also true that context is important, in some forums it is perfectly fine to be as incoherent as one wants, in others (this site as a prime example) it would be not only out of place but inappropriate.

I know, I used an apostrophe for the plural quite purposefully.

WHO GIVES A FUCK!?

it's the internet

you're not trying to write out a English essay or impress you're future employer in a job application.

u grammar nazi's need to get over it, speakin like this when talkin in a chatroom, commentin a video, talkin in IMs ect. is not harmin neone. quit tryin to dictate the way i type and find sumthin better to do wit ur lyfe. yadadamean? =)

that's a ridicules thing to try to demand the hole word to speak in full sentences because who could enforce something so bid all they could say is hay pleas speak right. but it would be nice if people would including me but im to laysy to put a period here and their like the rest of this country

I thought in the English language you weren't suppose to start a sentience with like. What a hypocrite.