this post was submitted on 23 Feb 2025
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No Stupid Questions

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This is a 2-in-1 question, I suppose. I type the way I do. I’ve always typed this way, but I’ve noticed when interacting with people (not on here) that people always think I’m far older than 19. They think I’m in my forties or fifties.

Also, I tend to type using full stops, which people may think are rude. When I’m typing a full sentence, though, I end it with a period. If I say, “He’s being an asshole,” (with a period), I mean that as a fact, not out of anger. It just happens to be ended with a period since it’s a sentence.

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[–] masterspace@lemmy.ca 2 points 27 minutes ago

Because those of who grew up communicating a lot via the written word stopped feeling beholden to type using classic grammar rules like ending every sentence of every communication with a period no matter what.

The entire purpose of language is to express yourself, and people started noticing that their texts sounded friendlier if they sounded less abrupt, so they started typing that way.

You type according to traditional essay writing rules which is how older people learned to write, younger people learned to focus on producing natural sounding language and conversation.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 3 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago) (1 children)

I guess because people under 20 type like illiterates that if you type correctly, using proper punctuation and spelling and what not, they assume you have to be older.

[–] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 hour ago

I don't want to agree. Also, I often agree.

[–] Hazor@lemmy.world 1 points 2 hours ago

The iPhone keyboard requires 2 taps for punctuation, including periods. Americans (and iirc especially younger ones) use more iPhones than Android phones (don't know about other countries, but OP indicated in a comment that they're in the US). I'm not some old guy saying the youngsters are just lazy, but I do think the iPhone keyboard is a factor in how text-based communication has evolved.

[–] andrewta@lemmy.world 23 points 7 hours ago (2 children)

The idea of periods being rude or something is moronic.

[–] roguetrick@lemmy.world 9 points 6 hours ago

I've never had one, but they seem to be assholes in general. Cramps, bleeding, unwanted hormone surges.

[–] KSPAtlas@sopuli.xyz 4 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

It's simply linguistic evolution, and I find it interesting how the internet has shaped language. Writing on the internet tends to be very short and conversation-like, so if you want to get a point across there's no need for a full stop. This meant, that when people put full stops at the end of messages on the internet, it started being seen as more formal and serious, which became a tone marker

[–] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 hour ago

linguistic evolution

"Usage dictates form" is how vapid influencer bimbos are driving English into the dumpster. French evolves: it has a committee to weed out stupid. English has no such guidance, and that's why it trends toward an appearance we'd call 'platypodian' if we could only find some instagram bimbo to promote it.

[–] idiomaddict@lemmy.world 11 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Older people grew up writing less than younger people have, because of texting, so they’re more accustomed to taking their time with the proprieties of grammar. Younger people began using grammar as a tone marker differently from how it had previously been used, so they tend to see a bigger difference between “no” and “No.” as an answer to a question than older people do. For younger people, the latter tends to seem more abrupt and final, which could come across rudely.

[–] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 0 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

accustomed to taking their time

Taking time to do it right? What fucking losers. Wait; why did my heart monitor stop workin--------

[–] masterspace@lemmy.ca 1 points 26 minutes ago

They didn't say do it right, they said do it with propriety, as in making sure to follow the rules for the sake of following the rules.

[–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 50 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

Well, I only know that people who don't end their sentences properly sound like rambling idiots.

[–] originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com 35 points 9 hours ago (7 children)

no offense, but mature people wouldnt ask this question. its attention-seeking behavior often found in children.

[–] untorquer@lemmy.world 1 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

What does this have to do with maturity? The post didn't even seem like it came from insecurity, merely curiosity.

There's a linguistic shift happening where people tend to not use periods in short form communications (sms, dms, etc..). So older people who may not be as plugged in to the youth culture sill use them. So it only makes sense someone would be seen as older if they did.

E: avoiding certain wording. Nothing substantive.

[–] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 hour ago

I'll say that, and I'll know from the downvotes just who needed to hear it.

[–] Jarix@lemmy.world 1 points 4 hours ago

What an insensitive take

[–] cm0002@lemmy.az.social 0 points 2 hours ago
[–] False@lemmy.world 11 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

I'd say it's more insecurity

[–] brygphilomena@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 8 hours ago

I think it's trying to understand society and his place in it. These aren't bad questions. At a certain point you rather know where you fit and other people be damned. But at 19, your trying to understand how other people think still. You have your own thought process and are still getting used to other adults not processing information the way you do.

[–] CatDemons4@lemmings.world 9 points 9 hours ago* (last edited 9 hours ago) (6 children)

Oh? Thanks for your input. Well, I’m a mere 19 year old.

[–] cRazi_man@lemm.ee 6 points 5 hours ago

This community is literally called "no stupid questions". Don't worry about it.

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[–] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 23 points 9 hours ago* (last edited 9 hours ago) (3 children)

Because old people like me view written correspondence as less disposable. When jotting down personal notes, we don't worry about spelling or punctuation, but writing a letter? You double check that shit so there isn't documentation of how illiterate you are!

Youth grew up with texting. It's designed to be fast and efficient. Sup? OMG 👍 They just need to get the point across, it's not a grammar competition.

Neither is right or wrong, it's just a generational difference.

[–] masterspace@lemmy.ca 2 points 20 minutes ago (1 children)

Young people focus on the tone they're conveying.

Old people focus on following the rules that were beaten into them as children for no reason.

[–] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 1 points 8 minutes ago

That's a good way of framing it.

[–] card797@champserver.net 3 points 6 hours ago (5 children)

Oh, no. It's wrong. Punctuation makes everything clear!

[–] lazylion_ca@lemmy.ca 1 points 3 hours ago

It made everything clear back when everything was hand written or done on a type writer. This mattered as paper wasn't infinite.

Much of modern communication is done in bubbles on screens, so the punctuation doesnt matter as much as it used to.

That said, run-on sentences and word salad are quite common which makes for some entertaining yet stroke inducing screenshots.

The so-called "rules" of language arent actually rules. They are observations. Language use has greatly evolved over time, and schools teach the rules as they know them, forgetting that even a hundred years ago, it was different.

[–] lud@lemm.ee 3 points 5 hours ago

There is absolutely no difference between "no" and "No.". Both can be understood perfectly well.

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[–] Skua@kbin.earth 10 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

it's not a grammar competition.

While I agree that there's less of an expectation of grammar, informal text communication has definitely developed grammar of its own. OP mentioned full stops, for example — ending a message with one is a tone marker now

[–] KSPAtlas@sopuli.xyz 2 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Full stops are slowly becoming a separator instead of a terminator in colloquial chats, which I find interesting, since some scripts use an equivalent character like that

[–] Skua@kbin.earth 1 points 5 hours ago

Ooh, that's interesting. I'm not really sure what to look for here, could you give me an example of a language/script that has that?

[–] Zip2@feddit.uk 17 points 9 hours ago (3 children)

I am only assume it’s because your written communication is of a higher standard than your contemporaries. Keep it up.

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[–] magnetosphere@fedia.io 10 points 8 hours ago (6 children)

The way you type is like any other form of self-expression. If others want to read into it or decide they don’t like it, that’s on them. Type however you like and don’t give it another thought.

[–] masterspace@lemmy.ca 1 points 24 minutes ago* (last edited 23 minutes ago) (1 children)

YES IM JUST EXPRESSING MYSELF, ITS TOTALLY EVERYONE ELSES FAULT FOR FEELING OFF-PUT BY MY TYPING STYLE. THERE DEFINITELY ARENT SOCIAL NORMS AND CONTRACTS THAT WE ALL FOLLOW TO BE ABLE TO EASILY AND ACCURATELY COMMUNICATE.

[–] magnetosphere@fedia.io 2 points 18 minutes ago (2 children)

I don’t see how typing style is much different from things like slang or making references. If you can be understood by the people you’re communicating with, great!

[–] masterspace@lemmy.ca 2 points 13 minutes ago

I agree with you there, but the key is the last part about being understood. In OP's case they're insisting on using a formal writing style that makes the average person perceive their message with an unintended tone.

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[–] HappySkullsplitter@lemmy.world 12 points 9 hours ago (10 children)

This forces my own question

People can tell my age just by my punctuation or lack thereof?

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[–] iAmTheTot@sh.itjust.works 7 points 8 hours ago

If it makes you feel any better, this is the most 19 year old post ever.

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