Net increasing literacy?

[Hey Joe]

I've been thinking, and yes, it did hurt.

Throughout my education, I've been told I have an 'easy' style of writing which means that I'm very at ease with my writing and using words in general.

So I got to thinking today about why that may be the case, and my hypothesis is that it's because I spend a lot of time communicating online, using proper English. From messenger programs, to forums, to Facebook I spend a great chunk of my day writing, so when it comes to writing an article, I am very at ease with the process of writing.

Now, I'm sure you're all shouting "But what about the people who can't spell online?", and that's a valid point. They're hardly increasing their ease with language by spewing text speak all over the place.

My discussion mainly concerns people who take the time to use proper English with their communication, which happens to be a lot of people on here.

So my question to my fellow Escapists is this: Do you feel an ease with language because you spend so much time writing online, or is it just me?

 

[Maet]

Taking the time to write properly even in casual environments is just good practice. All my communication online is with forums (no facebook, no myspace, no MSN) so I tend to pay attention to my writing and take pride in it.

A lot of it has to do with the environment. Learning by practice and example is the best way to do it.

 

[Not Good]

I usually take my time when I can. Examples are forums. On Fast paced FPS's it's rather difficult to keep track and IMs I relax a bit.

 

[NewClassic_v1legacy]

You can ask anyone I regularly communicate with. Even my most colloquial language sounds naturally like my reviewing style. Because of this, I tend to find writing reviews just composing my opinions in an ordered format. The language literally writes itself.

So yes, I do have a natural at-ease disposition behind the keyboard, and the words will often flow without effort.

 

[mbv-]

y focus on what other people think of ur writing skills..

 

[Robert0288]

I think peoples general literacy skills have improved because of the internet. However spelling, punctuation and grammar have all been tossed out the window.

 

[Logan Westbrook]

The problem that your theory runs into HJ, is that the people who take the time to communicate in proper English on the internet tend to be quite literate in the first place.

 

[falcontwin]

The net is not increasing literacy. theres a reason it's called netspeak. lol jk omg wtf Iiz jzt jkin abt stuf innitt cuz hu needz tospeek proper cuz u no wat im sayin enyway.

The internet is a great communication tool but the bulk of it is filled with morons (just like the real world)

 

[FlipC]

I think peoples general literacy skills have improved because of the internet. However spelling, punctuation and grammar have all been tossed out the window.

Yet how many who have left education recall the correct use of semi-colons, dashes, or an ellipsis? Is there a point to using them if so many do not understand their purpose? Personally I write as I speak; that is I use punctuation in a way that, if spoken aloud, creates the pauses and emphasis that I hear in my head. It may not be correct, but how many would realise that?

The net is not increasing literacy. theres a reason it's called netspeak. lol jk omg wtf Iiz jzt jkin abt stuf innitt cuz hu needz tospeek proper cuz u no wat im sayin enyway.

But is that a form of illiteracy or the simply a creation of jargon? Every social group seems to create its own form of speech and re-use of words with different meanings. I agree certain misspellings indicate a slackening of grammar, however consideration that for the writer English may not be their native language has to be taken. Do you correct their spellings and appear a pedantic jerk, or let it continue and gain 'respectability'?

The answer, in my mind, to the topic question posed is - It depends on where you look. Forums tend to accumulate users with similar levels of literacy skills. Those of the LOL U CAN HAZ YOM find no peers in forums dealing with erudite philosophy. It could be argued that the internet has increased literacy in English, but is that the main cause or are other factors involved?

 

[Elurindel]

lol wtf u talkn bout

But seriously, I actually did type like a complete noob when I first started using the internet. I just assumed that everybody was meant to type like a retard, or something.
The internet has great potential for increasing literacy, such as places like The Escapist, Dictionary.com, etc. But hen it has the ability to harm literacy, with places like 4chan and Halo multiplayer rooms.
As with all things, technology is morally neutral until we apply it.

 

[the fifth]

i don't think that all the time i spend typing on the internet has increased my writing skills noticeably. i have always had a problem with writing, i can read a 1000 page book in a day or two but it takes me three fucking hours to write a one page paper. i just suck at writing.

 

[Hey Joe]

What I'm really talking about is 'ease' of writing. Most people can string together a coherent sentence or two, but what I'm suggestion that expression, metaphor, simile, alteration and things of this nature become almost second nature in your writing because you tend to do that with online writing.

Especially in a forum, where there is an emphasis in trying to create written humour and colourful copy to put yourself above the pack, as it were.

 

[Galletea]

I found it fairly easy before. My typing is getting better, I can just about touch type now. However I do find that I still don't capitalise on msn, just because I need to get the message across before they send me something and we have a breakdown in communication.

I never really thought about the way I write, I find it pretty easy to incorporate metaphors and the like where I find it appropriate.
It's just knowing what will be well received by all.

 

[Caimekaze]

The internet has most definitely improved my ability to convey my opinion, yet it has also impaired my writing, in the physical sense. Due to the face that I type so much, I rarely need to actually write except for school, which means very slow handwriting.
However, my literacy in general has improved; this may however be due to my propensity to read large amounts.

 

[miner0]

im new here should i post here in casual manner or just be me? i would like to introduced myself first im a MMO player i played flyff before but left due to my buddies left me there after thesis i came back to gaming world so im looking for a new game to play and buddies to play with.

 

[the monopoly guy]

The problem that your theory runs into HJ, is that the people who take the time to communicate in proper English on the internet tend to be quite literate in the first place.

I dunno, I like to think the Escapist ahs convernted a few people. I know before the Escapist, I never really cared about spelling or grammar on the internet.

 

[Cucumber]

However, my literacy in general has improved; this may however be due to my propensity to read large amounts.

True. I find myself reading very, very long texts from time to time, and I also find myself more aware of my internet-literacy. I DO see improvements!

 

[Anarchemitis]

It is considerably easier for me to write properly than to write in a mad-dash fashion because I have not taught myself to do so and therefore can't make anything legible.
This is made opposite for those with inadequate spelling skills or "online typing styles" where they have taught themselves to write legibly but just barely ignoring all components of grammar, and find it above par difficulty to write in a proper fashion with a computer.

 

[CoverYourHead]

I could see your point, I'm not sure if I'm more at ease with writing, but I don't hate the idea of typing my thoughts on a computer for an extended period of time trying to convince others of my point... oh wait, I guess I am more at ease.

 

[Ronwue]

It's common logic, that the more you do a thing, the more at ease you become doing it. I remember the beginning of my forum posting days when I was scared about writing anything on forums for one reason or another. Now I post whenever I have something to say. Q.E.D