Internet English

Contents of this article:

Introduction to "Internet English"
Online Web dictionaries of Internet vocabulary

Vocabulary study: introduction to "Internet English"

A new faster, shorter, more informal `Internet English' is developing in chat rooms, bulletin boards, emails and other similar channels of communication. This new Internet English uses language in quite different ways from standard English.

Internet English may:

• use SIMPLIFIED SPELLING, for example, "how r u?" for "How are you?"
• BREAK STANDARD ENGLISH RULES ABOUT CAPITAL LETTERS AND APOSTROPHES. Here's an example question from a conversation in a Web chat room "why dont u like mtv?" (Why don't you like MTV?)

Examples:

• Internet English / standard English
• u / you
• nite / night
• ur / your
• bf / boyfriend
• r / are
• fone / phone
• 4 / for
• cd / could
• 2 / to

Internet English may use various short forms which are very useful when you need to type fast:

• ACRONYMS, made from the first letters of words in frequently-used phrases, for example, "ASAP" (as soon as possible)
• ABBREVIATIONS - shortened forms of common words, for example, "RE" (referring to), used when replying to an email, and "FW" (forwarded), used when sending an email on to a third person.

Examples:

• ASAP as soon as possible
• BTW by the way
• FAQs frequently asked questions
• FYI for your information
• IMO in my opinion
• LOL (I'm) laughing out loud!
• ROFL (I'm) rolling on the floor laughing!

For more information about Internet English short forms visit:

• http://www.thirdage.com/features/tech/netglos/

Internet English may use EMOTICONS (= emotional + icons) or SMILEYS. These emoticons are useful for giving extra information - body language - that words can't easily express. For example, here's a smiley that can be used to mean "I'm happy now" or "I'm smiling". (To see the little face or other `picture', put your head on one side.)

• :-)

Examples:

• :-) smiling, feeling happy
• ;-) winking, just kidding!
• :-D laughing
• :-( feeling sad
• :-0 shouting
• 8-) wearing glasses
• >:-< feeling angry
• :-p sticking tongue out
• :-* giving a kiss

For more information about emoticons/smileys visit:

• http://www.windweaver.com/emoticon.htm

or

• The Unofficial Smiley Dictionary
  http://www.eff.org/papers/eegtti/eeg_286.html

Study tip: online Web dictionaries of Internet vocabulary

Are you confused by English Internet/computer vocabulary?

For example:

• What kind of "avatar" would you choose for yourself?
• How would you feel if you were "flamed"?
• Do you practice good "netiquette" or are you a "newbie"?

Here are some online Web dictionaries of confusing Internet/computer expressions, with definitions in English:

Learn the Net: Glossary
http://www.learnthenet.com/english/glossary/glossary.htm

Example definition:

• AVATAR
  "An avatar is a graphic facsimile that you can use in chat rooms. Anyone who has participated in a web chat realizes that exchanging typed messages can get boring very quickly. But what if you could assume a visual identity, say a frog or a clown? An avatar lets you role play and interact with people you meet online. The term was popularized in the novel Snow Crash written by Neal Stephenson."

Glossary - CNET.com
http://www.cnet.com/Resources/Info/Glossary/

Example definition:

• FLAME
  "When email or (more often) postings on bulletin boards or community areas get heated and abusive, the participants are said to flame each other. Flaming is a vitriolic personal attack on another individual -- and when a flamer is flamed back, the exchange is called a flame war."

Glossary of Internet Terms
http://www0.delphi.com/navnet/glossary/

Example definitions:

• NETIQUETTE
  "Short for net etiquette. The basic principles of courtesy and consideration for others that can keep communication on the Internet a pleasure for all."
• NEWBIE OR NEWBY
  "A newcomer to the nets, who reveals his or her inexperience by lack of knowledge of net conventions, netiquette, vocabulary, and know-how."

Lastly, here's a site with links to online Web dictionaries/glossaries of Internet expressions, which have definitions in other languages.

NetGlos
http://wwli.com/translation/netglos/netglos.html

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