Comments on: Is It Internet or Is It Oral? http://belletra.com/editor-at-large/is-it-internet-or-is-it-oral/ English Translation from German, Spanish and Catalan; English Editing and Writing Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:41:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Belletra » Raise Your Hand If You Hate Emoticons http://belletra.com/editor-at-large/is-it-internet-or-is-it-oral/#comment-348 Belletra » Raise Your Hand If You Hate Emoticons Wed, 07 May 2008 18:27:52 +0000 http://belletra.com/?p=71#comment-348 [...] However much I disapprove of out-loud LOLs and OMGs, I did always love how ROTFLMAO reverberated in my brain after I would [...] […] However much I disapprove of out-loud LOLs and OMGs, I did always love how ROTFLMAO reverberated in my brain after I would […]

]]> By: Casey http://belletra.com/editor-at-large/is-it-internet-or-is-it-oral/#comment-280 Casey Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:46:18 +0000 http://belletra.com/?p=71#comment-280 @sylvia: O-M-G, it's unbelievable. I think I may have to stay in Germany forever. @sylvia: O-M-G, it’s unbelievable. I think I may have to stay in Germany forever.

]]> By: sylvia http://belletra.com/editor-at-large/is-it-internet-or-is-it-oral/#comment-278 sylvia Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:51:30 +0000 http://belletra.com/?p=71#comment-278 O-M-G, I never heard it. Thanks for the post ;) O-M-G, I never heard it. Thanks for the post ;)

]]> By: Gabriel http://belletra.com/editor-at-large/is-it-internet-or-is-it-oral/#comment-277 Gabriel Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:51:44 +0000 http://belletra.com/?p=71#comment-277 There are situations in which imperfect grammar is appropriate. For older persons, past the age of puberty at least, those are probably restricted to making the occasional mockery of the younger folk for whom this sort of thing is just another casual idiom. Among those children, however, owing to the prevalence of the abbreviation and the universal apprehension of its meaning, I don't consider "omg," when spoken aloud, to be any more objectionable than a contraction. So long as the younger generations remain capable of verbal formality when the situation calls for it, I find it difficult to judge any evolution of the language categorically; and if any generation may be found incapable, the blame lies with the parents and educators rather than with the casual language of the day. There are situations in which imperfect grammar is appropriate. For older persons, past the age of puberty at least, those are probably restricted to making the occasional mockery of the younger folk for whom this sort of thing is just another casual idiom. Among those children, however, owing to the prevalence of the abbreviation and the universal apprehension of its meaning, I don’t consider “omg,” when spoken aloud, to be any more objectionable than a contraction. So long as the younger generations remain capable of verbal formality when the situation calls for it, I find it difficult to judge any evolution of the language categorically; and if any generation may be found incapable, the blame lies with the parents and educators rather than with the casual language of the day.

]]> By: Casey http://belletra.com/editor-at-large/is-it-internet-or-is-it-oral/#comment-274 Casey Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:55:20 +0000 http://belletra.com/?p=71#comment-274 @Jason, I did a triple take too while watching that video I link to up there. I don't recommend you follow it. @Mireia, I know, that video is insane. But it's good to know exactly what's out there, isn't it? At least once in a while...and if you look at Dan's comment I think there he shows the slippery slope between using it for fun and "crossing the boundary," as he says. @Gabriel, I think you're right. We're constantly looking for ways to simplify language, facilitate faster speech. It doesn't mean it's attractive, though. Or do you think it's laudable? @Ken, I think the key is in Gabriel's observation that it would "probably be naive to assume that this was the uttermost depth to which the spoken language could possibly be sunk." At least we know I won't hurt for blog material. @Dan I agree with you: usage is usage, irony or no. @Jason, I did a triple take too while watching that video I link to up there. I don’t recommend you follow it.

@Mireia, I know, that video is insane. But it’s good to know exactly what’s out there, isn’t it? At least once in a while…and if you look at Dan’s comment I think there he shows the slippery slope between using it for fun and “crossing the boundary,” as he says.

@Gabriel, I think you’re right. We’re constantly looking for ways to simplify language, facilitate faster speech. It doesn’t mean it’s attractive, though. Or do you think it’s laudable?

@Ken, I think the key is in Gabriel’s observation that it would “probably be naive to assume that this was the uttermost depth to which the spoken language could possibly be sunk.” At least we know I won’t hurt for blog material.

@Dan I agree with you: usage is usage, irony or no.

]]> By: Dan http://belletra.com/editor-at-large/is-it-internet-or-is-it-oral/#comment-273 Dan Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:13:38 +0000 http://belletra.com/?p=71#comment-273 Some of my co-workers say "Oh-em-gee" aloud, but only ironically. Still, they say it when surprised or excited, so it's already crossing the boundary between irony and slang-in-use. Some of my co-workers say “Oh-em-gee” aloud, but only ironically. Still, they say it when surprised or excited, so it’s already crossing the boundary between irony and slang-in-use.

]]> By: Kenneth http://belletra.com/editor-at-large/is-it-internet-or-is-it-oral/#comment-271 Kenneth Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:03:40 +0000 http://belletra.com/?p=71#comment-271 Gabriel: "We're refining the art"??? Please. Lazy people are bastardizing language rather than speaking in full and coherent sentences. I fully understand and accept "current slang", but saying "OMG" is just laziness. Gabriel: “We’re refining the art”??? Please. Lazy people are bastardizing language rather than speaking in full and coherent sentences. I fully understand and accept “current slang”, but saying “OMG” is just laziness.

]]> By: Gabriel http://belletra.com/editor-at-large/is-it-internet-or-is-it-oral/#comment-270 Gabriel Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:58:57 +0000 http://belletra.com/?p=71#comment-270 I'm certain that the occasional person caught in the cauldron of linguistic alteration that was England during the 16th century was confused and astonished by "zounds." Abbreviations, like everything else related to language, are just increasingly simplified. We're refining the art. I don't know how casual usage will manage to contrive shorter verbal abbreviations than "omg," but it would probably be naive to assume that this was the uttermost depth to which the spoken language could possibly be sunk. I’m certain that the occasional person caught in the cauldron of linguistic alteration that was England during the 16th century was confused and astonished by “zounds.” Abbreviations, like everything else related to language, are just increasingly simplified. We’re refining the art. I don’t know how casual usage will manage to contrive shorter verbal abbreviations than “omg,” but it would probably be naive to assume that this was the uttermost depth to which the spoken language could possibly be sunk.

]]> By: mireia http://belletra.com/editor-at-large/is-it-internet-or-is-it-oral/#comment-269 mireia Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:46:00 +0000 http://belletra.com/?p=71#comment-269 Sad as it sounds, I use both Oh-em-gee and lol, but only when I'm being very silly with friends so maybe it doesn't count (or it does: considering English is not my first language it must sound even sillier). That said, I don't think I'd ever use it in any other context, and 50% of my brain cells must have commited suicide after watching that video (OMG). Sad as it sounds, I use both Oh-em-gee and lol, but only when I’m being very silly with friends so maybe it doesn’t count (or it does: considering English is not my first language it must sound even sillier).

That said, I don’t think I’d ever use it in any other context, and 50% of my brain cells must have commited suicide after watching that video (OMG).

]]> By: Jason Hill http://belletra.com/editor-at-large/is-it-internet-or-is-it-oral/#comment-268 Jason Hill Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:39:11 +0000 http://belletra.com/?p=71#comment-268 My coworker says 'O-M-G!' She's 24. The first time I heard her say it, I did a triple-take. My coworker says ‘O-M-G!’ She’s 24.

The first time I heard her say it, I did a triple-take.

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