Speaking a different language

[hellziggy]

We all know that there is online language that's not used in real life, like leet-speak and such.

But I'm wondering if any of you have ways of talking online that don't translate to your spoken language in the real world?

For me, it is y'all. I pretty much never use y'all when talking to people. It's just not part of my spoken language. But it is actually fairly common for me to say y'all when I'm writing on LJ. I don't know the reason for this dichotomy, I just found it interesting.

Comments

[virtualpersonal.livejournal.com]

Interesting question!

I hardly ever curse out loud, but seem to be a lot freer with it online, lol

This isn't exactly what you were asking but a couple of times, I've used net lingo in RL, like telling the boss "brb"... argh!

[pied-piper70.livejournal.com]

I've found that certain people talk like they write...Most of those people I've found also happen to be women...At least, that's been my observation...I don't know why...

I have a tendency to switch: to write like I talk and then write like I think, which are sometimes two diametrically opposed processes...I find most men write like they think or write with a goal in mind...

And as for the usage of "y'all": I use it alot...I have an affection for the word (despite most white northerners' snobbish attitude towards it) and I feel it's a useful word, since there isn't a plural form of "you" in the English language...

[causette.livejournal.com]

y'all is the same for me. And 'dude' as well. I don't think I've ever actually said dude to someone but I use it quite a bit online.

[caitirin.livejournal.com]

Hm... I was going to say OMG, but I do say that in conversation. :{

I can't really think of any words I use online that I don't in reality o.O

[kirkmona.livejournal.com]

the use of y'all online is simply your inner Firefly being set free. It is very shiny.