(Ooc) Regarding Our Grammar

[Secret Lizard President 313]

This is just a... small rant of sorts. I don't mean to be angry, or to create any anger by this thread. Please keep in mind that this is not a rage thread, so please don't turn it into one.

I have noticed quite a bit of terrible grammar and speech in the High Elven city. Most of this comes from our own people. Keep in mind, High Elves are supposed to be scholarly individuals, not L33T $P34K1NG, which I haven't heard much of, or normal speaking people. I have seen quite a bit of things such as this, which is a true example: "want to go to salvus?". This is not nearly the worst I've seen, but let us examine it.

The first word should be capitalized. Salvus also should be capitalized. Both are not.

This is not TERRIBLE, but is certainly not well. This is bad grammar, and of course, not the way a High Elf would speak. Let us think of a possible example of High Elven speech.

Example: "Would you care to accompany me to Salvus? I have business to attend to there."

This is a much better way to say it in my opinion. Of course it takes longer to type, but it adds sophistication to your character, and it looks MUCH better.

Simple grammar goes a long way, and I understand this is not just a problem within the High Elven roleplaying community. However, we should set the example for proper grammar if possible. Simply capitalize the first word of EACH sentence, and add punctuation. This in itself is enough usually, but you should strive to at least attempt to type/write properly.

Thank You.

[Religious_Pie 127]

Is there a limit for how many cookies I can give you?

[Secret Lizard President 313]

Nope. I want ALL the cookies!

[Sporadic 2844]

OOC:

I am aware of the matter you're referring to. It's a bit disheartening to see this behavior in the Haelun'or isles, and we do many things within our power to prevent it, such as enforcing the filling of an application form. However, not everyone has been subjected to this scrutiny yet, and it shows in the quality of some of our fellows.

One thing I can't do, however, is burdening myself with correcting everybody's bad grammar and RP etiquette on a per-case basis. The prospect is already too exhausting. I never want to deny anybody the chance to RP with me, and I don't feel like starting OOC arguments over it either.

My usual resort is simply to display excellent and rigorous RP whenever and whoever I'm interacting. Never OOC in RP, try not to mess up on grammar, and always solve matters through RP before anything else. Heck, even modreqs can be handled through RP if the area's crowded. Eventually, the ambitious RPers will cotton on, and the bad ones usually don't last anyway.

Or at least that's my vision. Our Maheral will love you for this, though. He's colored in at least ten shades of annoyance over bad grammar happening around him.

[Esterlen 4499]

We actually have quite a few people in Haelun'or who have English as a second language. While that's not a huge excuse, I would reoommend being slightly more lenient with them. Of course 1337speak is unacceptable, though.

[Aerinyes 402]

I'd recommend against using contractions as well.

"I can't help you."

vs

"I cannot help you."

Is just a minor difference but will make you stand out especially when you come to visit other nations with less then formal speech.

My character intentionally flowers up her speech a tad when visiting Haelun'or and will lax only slightly when in Malinor (to keep an appearance), but when scared or excited she will slip into full informal speech.

[Dio Astóre 69]

OOC:

It is an unfortunate problem, teaching someone to value appropriate grammatical structures is an ardous task at the best of times. The significance of language is undeniable, it is the most widely adapted form of expressing abstract concepts and conveying thoughts in a refined and appreciable manner. Then you have all those lovely philosophical points about language, reality, truth, yadi-yada which would sway a few opinions if they actually appealed to certain demographics.

As a rule of thumb in seeming more eloquent , (as Sythra quite adequately pointed out, but I want to emphasis it further) avoid abbreviating like the plague! For a more entertaining perspective on that process, Brian Herbert incorporated it into one of his plots rather nicely I believe; monks following a code of conduct that forbade them from cutting their words short so they could be immortal.

Or as an alternative folk have the opportunity to learn Ancient Elven and then you'd only have to worry about capitalising names and such. None among us can be expected to be perfect in our writings, however a few extra seconds to type out a richer sentence goes a long way in contributing to the atmosphere of a place.

Change happens at the level of the individual, hm?

The Ten Shades of Annoyance, whom hath wreaked havoc upon the realms of Grammarland! Our heroes quest to drive down the blights they placed upon our tongues, to restore our noble society of raised chins, curled moustaches and pompous attitudes!

[Malzar(Mythmaster26) 16]

In IRL, do you see a speech bubble pop up when someone talks, and then criticize it's grammar?

'Nuff said.

[VonEbs 1224]

If you want we can do all role play of teamspeak... just kidding, but in real life you are not a high elf.

[Sporadic 2844]

If you want we can do all role play of teamspeak... just kidding, but in real life you are not a high elf.

Rub my face in it, will you?

[Laurir'leh 2]

In IRL, do you see a speech bubble pop up when someone talks, and then criticize it's grammar?

'Nuff said.

No, but if in a EXTREMELY formal situation someone speaks like "Hey, bro, how's it cracking?" wouldn't you be surprised?

[VonEbs 1224]

Probably not... I am not in many formal situations. Plus, I live in America, so I would not be surprised to see this happen.

[steelersfan1221 300]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.