How to Use Web Slang in Forums

With the advent of computers and the Internet, a completely new language has developed. You can use web slang in emails, blogs, text messaging, forums and chat rooms. This language has saved many people time because it is shorthand for communicating on the Internet.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Join a forum of your choice and read the posts. Notice the language such as "LOL" and "IMHO." These are examples of the web slang you will find listed.

2. Answer the posts in the forum with a combination of real words and web slang. For example, "I tried to get my baby to eat green beans and she made a face and spit them out, ROFL!". Take your lead from the other posts you see or the one for which you reply.

3. Make sure your forum post makes sense. Instead of writing, "and that PITA will be SOL", write out some of the words so your readers make sense of the post.

4. Write technical web slang in technical forums and common web slang in regular forums. Forums vary greatly in both topic discussion and use of slang so be sure to follow the rules for the forum you use.

5. Make sure you know what your web slang means. Just as in using a foreign language, you do not want to insult someone or the forum in general, by using an acronym incorrectly. When in doubt, write the words out.

6. Remember that once you post your reply anyone in the forum can see what you wrote. Make sure you preview your post first to see how it will look and to make sure it makes sense to you. Sprinkle your web slang in the post, but don't over do it.

7. Check your post as soon as you submit it. If you decide you don't like what it says, most forums will allow you to edit or delete the post. Change the web slang term to one that's better suited or delete the post and start fresh.

Tips & Warnings

• Familiarize yourself with web slang by visiting one of the many web pages that list web slang terms.
• Read the rules for posting in the forum you choose. Profanity and off color language is usually a no-no, however there may be exceptions when it comes to web slang. Ask the forum moderator if you want to use acronyms such as "PITA" (pain in the a
• ) to avoid inadvertently being banned from your forum.

Resources

• Internet slang dictionary and translator
• Search for slang
• Net lingo

[copperdots]

on 10/27/2009 Mizzshady, actually, the US doesn't have an official language; due to its overwhelming number of people for whom English is their native language, however, English is assumed to be the official language.

[mizzshady]

on 9/24/2009 I'm still trying to learn English as my first language now all this comp slang and text slang.. wow its to much. lol never would of guessed this twenty years ago.. What is the official language of the USA? They vote on it once a year and decide on a new one every year I thought.. Do you have any idea what this year is?