Language Question

[hilary.]

Hi!
I'm studying language usage in blogs and messageboards (like MW :smile: ) and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about smilies. I've noticed that smilies run rampant in this forum and other, more "conversational" forums, but in Politcal Pagan and Real Science, for example, hardly anyone uses them. Why do you think this is?? For those of you that post in both of these types of forums, do you think that you alter the presentation of your message based on the topic?? Why??

Thanks in advance!! :D <-- note smilie usage

[argento_occhi]

I think it's more to do with the more serious topics in those forums. And I'm in no way saying that other forums aren't as serious, it's just that those forums, to me, are more likely to have those types of conversations going. Science and politics don't really lend themselves to smilies, do they? That's just my perception. Smilies tend to add a casual air to a post, so for a topic discussing the ethics of human cloning, for example, is likely to get a bit tense. Not really the place for smilies. I wouldn't say I altered my posts based on presentation, no, but I don't use an excessive amount of smilies anyway. I find they're there to enhance a message, not be the message, so I use them if I feel the need to, especially if I'm trying to make it clear that i'm not being serious. For me, smilies help to show the tone of my messages, just because sometimes, it's hard for people IRL and here to see when I'm being sarcastic, serious, funny, etc. IRL, it's mainly my sarcasm that seems to trip people up. So, yeah. They have their uses, but not an important aspect of my posts. I'll wait for the smilie-obsessives to come and give their points of view.

Argent

[SilentDreams]

I guess it comes with the "tone" or "general feeling(s)" of the board. Political Pagan has a much more serious(and as I doubt anyone with disagree, a often "harsh" and "heated" feel as well). Real science(while only having ventured in once or twice) also has that same "serious" tone. Thats not to imply these places can't be happy and "light-hearted" but its just so few and far between. Think of it like this; In language there are formal and informal ways to say things. Like english for example, one would use "Sir" or "Miss" as a more formal way to address somebody. But the informal way might be "Dude" or even "Hey You"(lol). Basically it goes back to the saying "There is a time and place for everything". Thats not to say its some rule or its frowned upon to use smilies. But I find that when I'm responding to a thread or posting something in Political Pagan that the overall tone of seriousness(cause they are usually serious issues with strong views and opinions) just keeps me from adding smilies. Smilies often take away the seriousness of a post and add humour. So I guess most rather have their views taken seriously in Political Pagan(i'm just guessing this may be ONE reason, not all so don't jump down my throat if you feel completely different) and one way to insure that is to leave out something that has a risk of adding humour.

[teh_fae]

I guess because more topics of seriousness tend to show up in those forums. Smilies are in the fun area, and being that they're more serious forums...It's good to keep it on a certain level.

Pretty much the other answers to this post covers the point I'm making.

[Kaija]

Pretty much I agree with the others, but.. a side note.. (that I've been wondering about for years).. Why is there no shrug? That's one I would use alot... but I end up falling on the old WBS stand by "*shrug*".. LOL

When I was a member of the WBS site, they didn't have smilies.. or emoticons, so to show an action, or mood, you used the *'s.. Sarcasm is one thing that doesn't work well online, so that is a good time for, oh.. an evil grin, or.. a laugh.. or something.. just to show that it was not serious.. You can't always assume that your words will be understood for the meaning you intended.. so they help.. and they've gotten quite clever over the years.. many more variations.. :collapse:

[teishabee]

If Im making a serious point.I tend to miss out the smilies as I feel they lower the tone of the arguement. But if I feel that my argument came across too agressive.I might put one added on the end, just to show its only my opinion.

I dont tend to not go on those forums tho.Im just not a serious person.

[Psyche Ague]

I know for me, personally, when I'm making a more lighthearted post, I'll use smilies. But when it's a more serious topic, I find that they have no real purpose. Smilies are just a filler for me.

[hilary.]

Thank you all for replying to my query!!
I had figured pretty much the same as the all of you, but it was incredibly helpful to hear it from other users. I agree that more "serious" topics require a more formal presentation and that smilies tend to add a bit of levity to the whole situation. It's been a very interesting ride uncovering the mysteries of internet language. :smile: