Comments on: MM: Slang

By: --Deb

--Deb — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:20:04 +0000

Outi–that’s an excellent point. English is confusing enough to begin without adding MORE confusion for second-language speakers. I should have thought of that (grin).

By: Outi

Outi — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 07:29:08 +0000

One of the cases “Not to use slang” worth mention is that when you write to someone who is not a native English speaker as we are taught the proper English when we study.

English has become my main communication language, but still I don’t understand most of the slang, and some phrases and figures of speech make me feel absolutely clueless.
It is also a nice fact that if you know your language you can make it colourful without using slang.
Outi’s last blog post..SBQ: Everything goes

By: --Deb

--Deb — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:14:34 +0000

It’s amazing how often people don’t think of that kind of thing. But you know what I find interesting? In fiction, the difference between a book written at some point in the past that uses jargon that immediately dates the book–you read it a couple decades later and just groan at the dated slang–and a book written now that takes PLACE in the past, and uses the same jargon (sometimes accurately) to make the book seem realisticly set in its time. How is it possible that that works when the authentic, older book does not?

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:55 +0000

I think you hit the nail on the head in the second part of this post. It all depends on the piece and the audience. There are many occasions when conversational tones or trendy language (even abbreviations) would be appropriate. However, using LOL or “groovy” on a professional web site or in a serious article would be a big no-no!

Melissa Donovan’s last blog post..Tools of the Trade: 10 Items This Writer Can’t Live Without

By: --Deb

--Deb — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:27:58 +0000

A lot of people can tell the difference between “conversational” and “trendy”–because there’s a difference. I see so many posts and e-mails peppered with “BFF” and “gf” and “LOL” –which may technically be abbreviations, but which are going to date them just the same. You can’t write everything with posterity in mind, but… what does it hurt?

By: Laura Spencer

Laura Spencer — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:19:25 +0000

Great point Deb!

I sometimes get caught up in this when blogging because I like to write in a conversational style. I should remember that those posts could be around for a long time.

Laura Spencer’s last blog post..Thanks To All My Guest Posters!!!