Why do some people write "dis" and "dat" and "u" and "neva", etc?

Question

Don't they realise how stupid it makes them sound?

I've received a job application in 'text-speak'. No kidding. I was tempted to reply in similar fashion: "Sorry, init. u aint gat no job this time, kna wat i mean? Cos u is let down by ur readin and ritin, blood. But fanx NEway."

For those who think I'm being judgemental: it's the very fact that people are not more judgemental about other people's standards that has led to an overall lowering of the average standard. It shames us all.

Answer 1

some people including myself have bad grammar poor typing skills and english as 2nd or 3rd language. saying dis dat or der is a way for people to hide not knowing how to spell this that or their/there/they're. dont judge them too harshly, read the question or statement and if it makes sense then use some decorum and politeness

Answer 2

Wow, you people are WAY too judgmental and taking things a bit too seriously. Sometimes people wanna write how they talk. Sometimes they don't. It doesn't mean a person is stupid, lazy, arrogant, or illiterate. In fact, I think if anyone is being arrogant it's some of you.

You should be a little more open-minded. Now if it's to the point where you can't understand what the person is saying, then that's a different story. But just cause someone uses a little slang, it shouldn't be a big deal. It's not like they're using it in a term paper.

Personally, I can switch back and forth from using lots of slang to sounding very professional at the drop of a dime. And I know a lotta young people (under 30) can do the same. You shouldn't be so ignorant as to think that just because someone uses slang ONLINE, they can't write a business proposal or do research. Get with the times.

Oh yeah, and sometimes it also just SAVES TIME when you're typing online (especially in IM). Wanting to save time does NOT make a person lazy. On the contrary, maybe it makes them smarter than you? LOL. It wouldn't even matter if it weren't for people acting so uptight just because someone wants to use an abbreviation. If you know what they meant, then what is your problem? This is Yahoo Answers, not a Master's thesis.

So yeah, it's like another language. If someone is fluent in both, and they are more versatile than you because of it... don't hate. (Oh I know you loved that last part, right?)

Answer 3

For some folk, that's the normal way to speak and write. How sad it is indeed, that the mainstream youth actually want to achieve the perceived image of "gangsta" or "hood". But who are we to criticize? I remember when bell-bottoms, long hair on men, spirituality and "hippies" were considered so strange by the "older" generation. Now, both male and female pay big bucks to get tattooed all over their bodies... seems odd to me! Society, styles and tastes change constantly- let's see what becomes the next new thang.

Answer 4

I can't and won't accept cv's or applications that have text speak on thier forms. I however have no problem with people using that sort of typing in instant messages or text messages as it does save time and letters if you are texting someone. But for a cv or application for work it not proffesional at all.

Answer 5

Yes, the first answer sums it up beautifully. They're too bloody lazy to use the language properly and I'll be laughing when they go for a job interview and try and use that rubbish!!! Boy, will they get a shock when they find that real people use real words and not a combination of text and 'pretend' street language which in itself stems from sheer laziness. (And all you others out there, don't complain about my bad language - at least you can understand it, eh? ND IT NOT IN TX WOT?

Answer 6

I think it started in the early days of mobile phones when text messages had a really limited number of spaces and everybody was forced to use 'mobile phone shorthand". Not only that but before the days of one-touch typing and the phone would automatically work out what word you meant, you would be pressing each button two or three times and it took ages. for instance B4 was only two buttons, but to type 'before' you would have to press:
ab cde f mno pqr cde

Answer 7

It is some form of evolved jargon. It is shorthand for sms messages and also perhaps emails and other forms of informal writing. It is stupid but it is necessary. I mean, do you really want to type out the entire word when a shorter and more convenient version could have sufficed?

Answer 8

I see it as more of a convenience. Just like some people would rather push a button to roll down a window in a car than just use the handle which was there in the first place. Cutting corners, that's all.

Answer 9

Because they think its cool.

I would love to see how far a business proposal, or a business plan for a loan would go using that type of spelling and grammar.

They need to consider using proper spelling and grammar, because one day they are going to have to live in the real world where people expect you to speak and write with some semblance of intelligence.

Answer 10

They are lazy, and somehow think spelling incorrectly gives them some sort of street cred. Most of them are probably posers. Hopefully they will eventually find that abusing the English language in this way is an obstacle in education and employment, and discover that the little extra effort to make oneself clearly understood is worth it.