Conversations!

[Llianna]

There are many, many opinions upon what exactly is considered acceptable speak, and what is deemed leet speak. Conversation is what makes the Warcraft World go around.

I'd like to clarify a few things here. Not because anyone has confused them, or overstepped any mark, but for clarity.

Many do not speak english very well, and even more cannot even type it correctly, and many, many more have really poor grammar. (Myself included!)

The thing is, Roleplayers in particular value clearly written english on our server, and as the server is indeed a "Roleplaying" server, it's respectful to try conform to their expectations - within reason.

The main areas I speak of are /say, /yell, and /emote. Other areas of consideration should be /party, /guild and numbered channels.

The differences:

1337 or leet, is in fact words that have had their individual alhpa characters replaced with numerics and sometimes symbols. This is in fact not allowed by the Blizzard polices. Extreme variants include replacing ever alpha character possible with symbols, groups of symbols, and accents/punctuation.

Examples: "w8" "m8" "ne1" "me 2" "$h12213!!!" "2n8" "r0xx0rz"

Dudespeak is almost always considered leet, but is in fact something different. Dudespeak consists mainly of mis-spelt abbreviations. (considering most abbreviations are not recognised spellings, I'm kinda not making sence, but bear with me.) These too, as far as I am aware, are still not allowed by Blizzard's policies, but people often use them in jest, to mock leeters.

Examples: "zamg" "lolzorz" "rofflecakes" "pwnsauce" "pwn" "pwnd" "plx" "plz"

Shorthand this definition being also known as "txt tlk" this is usually words that have had so many vowels removed that to an untrained eye can be incredibly tedious and annoying to read. This category also includes abbreviations frowned upon by many of the Warcraft population.
They are similar to dudespeak, but, when the vowels are re-inserted, they make legible text.
This is most commonly used by people in a rush to type, and I am also informed "u" is an acual word in some languages.

Examples: "ur" "u" "r" "mby" "n" "ltr" "cu" "pls" "lol" "rofl"

Abbreviations These being groups of words shortened to the initials of either the words themselves, or the syllables within, for ease of typing. Most are known by the majority of the Warcraft population. These are only ever frowned upon by the truely elitist and pickiest of players.

Examples: "MC" "AH" "brb" "afk" "dnd" "OG" "UC" "RFK"

Smileys These being assemblies of alphanumerics and punctuation to create an image of sorts, resembling usually a face, but can be abused to recreate immature images. For some reason, these can greatly irritate some players.

Examples:

Code: [Select]

:)   Smiley
:P  Tounge out/Cheeky
:(   Frown/Dissapointment
-.-  Irritated/not amused
>_<  Damnit/Bah
^_^  Chirpy/Happy
8)  Sunglasses/Cool
<3  Love/Heart
-=-=- The above categories are all, usually, considered immersion breakers in roleplay -=-=-

Capitals and alternating capitals. typing in all-caps is by most, understood as "shouting" and considered very rude. Combining this with any of the above categories with the exception of "Abbreviations" can result in you being beaten on by a large tree. Sometimes capitals can ENFORCE a word you are saying, but my advice here is use it wisely. Typing in alternating capitals just makes you look dense.

Examples: "HELP" "I lIkE tO tYpE lIkE tHiS"

Typos can often make us feel very daft, and sometimes, are the reason we use abbreviations/shorthand etc in the first place. Generally, typos are understood as a typo when read, and are not paid any heed. Many will correct themselves by re-typing the work, affixed with an asterix or circumflex to indicate it is a correction, but if you want to go the extra mile, affix an apology instead, it makes the hard-core roleplayers happy.

Examples: "cnat" "mroe" "wiat" "yuo" - "Can't*" "more^" "*wait*" "You, sorry"


It is argued by many that, smileys can be re-created in emotes using actual text:
"" = "/e sticks his tounge out!"
And actual text can be used instead of "lazy" variants mentioned above to create better immersion, and better impressions.
"wot r u up 2?" = "What are you up to?"

So...

Immersion - Where a roleplayer feels his is playing the role of his character, and is a part of the warcraft world.
This may not be you, but try to consider that this may be the person next to you, or within earshot, so try to be careful what you type, and where. I'm not saying "Talk this way", just, try to be careful. 

Also, it may be worth while to try use full words where you can, as it actually makes you look more intelligent, and less dense. (I'm sure you all know of the Orgrimmar beggars and their "gif 4g plx!!?!?!111"... )

The last note. LOL - The Great Debate. The one word people love to hate.

So what does "lol" mean? - Laughing out Loud.

Why does it bug people? - It's origins are Internet forums and Mobile Phone text messages. As a result, seeing "lol" in-game reminds many players of the outside world, and as a Roleplaying server contains many people trying to appreciate the above mentioned "immersion", reminders of the outside world are not what they want to see. It serves as a distraction.

Why does it bug others? - not a clue, lol    (mwahahaha!) No, seriously, some people are just tired of seeing the word over-abused. For some, it stings like a Chuck Norris joke. (*Readies Bleeding Fender Guitar, for any would-be Chuck Norris jokers...*) 

What else should I know about "lol"? - That when abused too much, you will be abducted by aliens and probed with extremly cold instruments lol...

[deathraver]

k as i said on another post  i am sorry for doing alot of LOL in my messages but that's me and i like to show how i feel....... So i very sorry for getting on every one's nerve's. But hay it's me........... but i wont say a peep from now on as i upset playes with the *** word

[Llianna]

you dont bug me dear 

[Flippant]

I think shorthand is fine, since when did ppl <-- see my example, ever write things down, we play a game that is written rather than spoken.

What i hate is l33t or dude speak, it's so annoying

[Totemanix]

As I posted elsewhere Death, if you dont carry on lolling theres going to be trouble!
You wouldnt be the same, and we all love ya for it! 

Tote

[Rowain]

LOL is not leetspeak, it is a normal abbreviation I use (used) on forums before. I started dislikeing it just in WoW, because the infantile kids use it all the time and if I see it it reminds me of Orgrimmar beggars. Otherwise it is a normal abbreviation, and wouldn't mind using it instead of smileys.

[Flippant]

LOL is not leetspeak, it is a normal abbreviation I use (used) on forums before. I started dislikeing it just in WoW, because the infantile kids use it all the time and if I see it it reminds me of Orgrimmar beggars. Otherwise it is a normal abbreviation, and wouldn't mind using it instead of smileys.

Agree, since the 'leet' versions would probably be LMAO or ROFL

[Karathe]

Readies Bleeding Fender Guitar, for any would-be Chuck Norris jokers

i was playing one as I read that 

Oh, and on topic...

I feel that Occassional Leet/dudespeak/shorthand is fine, just hate to spend a minute figuring out what all those letters and random spaces mean


Also. for the mocking thing, i do that all the time, n00bs. 


-Kar,
Jester,
Assassin,
Maker of Fireworks.

[Raenora]

If I see an occasional LOL I am not going to get annoyed. Problem is, the usage has become a habit and it will eventually pop up several times during a single conversation. That's annoying. I also don't think it has a place in say on a roleplay server.

It distracts me because it also means something Dutch. Lol means fun.

Unfortunately the game supports LOL as a emote, so people use it instead of /lol just to laugh.

I'm also one of the picky persons that hate shorthand. To me there's no difference between leet and shorthand because leet uses shorthand. I therefor dislike them boht equaly.

If someone states that he's a serious roleplayer but writes shorthand I have a real hard time taking the person serious.

These objections only apply to /say /yell, for guildchat and party I'm a bit more flexible.

[Rayearth]

I might use shorthand more in party chat when I am in an instance or fighting. When I am busy fighing I really don't have time to write the whole word sometimes. But that's about it really.