The Capitalization Conundrum

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The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 11:42:19 AM

songbird26

Posts: 72
Joined: 1/16/2005
Status: offline

All right, I know I'm probably in the minority, here. And I know that as a relative newbie, I'd do better to adjust than to complain, but honestly, this is just *irking* me:

the habit of Capitalizing Any Reference To The Dominant and lowercasing any reference to the submissive. I know that it's a generally-accepted convention, and I don't mind at all when it's being used properly as a title (Master, Mistress, etc. when being used as direct address by another). But I can't help but cringe when I get emails full of "you will submit to Me and My Dominant Ways because I have experience with yada yada," or, even WORSE, when the dominant refers to himself in the third person (capitalized, of course!). It's so affected, and strikes me as so impossibly silly, and just makes me want to giggle, thus completely negating the point. And it's improper English, to boot, and my poor little English major soul is crying out for mercy.

Anyone else have this issue? Am I alone out in the wilderness here, with my hardcore proper usage issues? *grin* I'll understand entirely if I am. But I still won't respond to those emails.

< Message edited by songbird26 -- 1/23/2005 11:45:33 AM >

Post #: 1

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 11:43:54 AM

temptation

Posts: 111
Joined: 2/20/2004
From: heaven
Status: offline

it drives me crazy too.

usually i dont even bother to read things that are written in the third person :/

(in reply to songbird26)

Post #: 2

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 11:51:22 AM

jillwfsub4blkdom

Posts: 377
Joined: 7/2/2004
Status: offline

i have never understood for the life of me why someone types in third person. Makes me feel like they are talking about someone else.

jill

_____________________________

"It's the moment that transcends
Our physical into a more spiritual level of understanding" - Musiq

(in reply to songbird26)

Post #: 3

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 12:06:34 PM

topcat

Posts: 1013
Joined: 1/31/2004
From: Long Island
Status: offline

Ladies-

I think that the majority of posters here will agree with you. I love the grace and beauty of the English language, and it hurts to see it battered about so. Sometimes, it actually makes my eyes water with the strain.

I am considered sort of old guard by a some, as I do strongly believe in manners and protocol, but I am Amazed that there are people who think it respectful to mangle basic grammar inorder to show respect.

I even think that there is a time and a place for third person speech. MARINE CORPS BOOT CAMP!! What really irks me is that most of those that think it important don't do it correctly.

This is one of those issues that pops up over and over on the boards, but it really is always welcome by me, at least.

Anything to stop the madness.

Stay warm,
Lawrence

_____________________________

-there is no remission without blood-

(in reply to songbird26)

Post #: 4

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 12:08:36 PM

bumblebee

Posts: 29
Joined: 12/1/2004
Status: offline

Lots of people seem to do it and seem pretty hardcore about it. I'm willing to go so far as capitalizing You or He when refering to a Dom I'm communicating with but I'm not going for the third person thing. It's just a bit too unreal. Gives me the feeling we're playing at a game. Also I just have a problem keeping a straight face. Still, others seem to enjoy it and if it suits them then more power to 'em.

It might be specific to a particular slave protocal?

(in reply to jillwfsub4blkdom)

Post #: 5

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 12:09:10 PM

proudsub

Posts: 3896
Joined: 1/31/2004
From: Washington
Status: offline

I capitalize when referring to my Dom to show respect, but not for all doms/dommes except for their names.

_____________________________

proudsub

"Without goals you become what you were. With goals you become what you wish." .

(in reply to songbird26)

Post #: 6

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 1:06:30 PM

SirTyson

Posts: 111
Joined: 12/8/2004
From: Altanta, Ga
Status: offline

I tried to get myself to talk like that, refering to myself in the third person but then all the other voices in my head got upset about it...lol

I agree with the others here, I am not one for it and never require it of someone. Being respectful to a Dom or Domme is one thing, but I think the third person reference is a way of showing respect. And like topcat mentioned, it gives me too many Marine Corps Boot Camp flashbacks!!!

< Message edited by SirTyson -- 1/23/2005 1:26:03 PM >

(in reply to proudsub)

Post #: 7

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 1:48:40 PM

TahoeSadist

Posts: 42
Joined: 8/3/2004
Status: offline

Now this is a shocker: I find myself agreeing with a majority opinion LOL. I can't stand improper capitalization in emails, posting, etc. as it doesn't seem to be "respectful", it just seems to be poorly written English. However it *is* better than third person garbage, which I flat-out loathe.

Eric

_____________________________

As long as one of us enjoys it, it's not a total waste

(in reply to SirTyson)

Post #: 8

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 1:51:42 PM

Socrateaser

Posts: 8
Joined: 12/22/2004
Status: offline

Seems to me that respect is show by what and how something is said, not by the use of caps.

I'm not particularly wild about the use of upper/lower case, there are those who may find it helpful. If it is means and not an end, then I guess to each his or her own.

(in reply to SirTyson)

Post #: 9

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 2:10:59 PM

Paulnz

Posts: 149
Joined: 12/13/2004
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline

I always capitalise my investment income, rather than spend it.

(in reply to songbird26)

Post #: 10

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 2:25:40 PM

SecretDomme

Posts: 152
Joined: 1/21/2004
Status: offline

I agree with Socrateaser. It's what is being said that makes the difference to me. If a sub doesn't use caps, I don't mind. However, I do mind when people don't spell out words, such as "how r u?".

Be well,
Julie

(in reply to Socrateaser)

Post #: 11

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 2:49:54 PM

darkangel

Posts: 2339
Status: offline

OKOK... heres lil ole Angel throwing in her two cents worth...

I do speak in third person at times... I believe there is a time and a place for everything.

I am labeled submissive... yet I do tend to Cap Myself...Its just out of habit I guess... at the same time I might use lower case if the sub/slave does... like proud(hugz you)... and petra(waves)... I do Cap names... again at times... but usually only if the name that I am addressing is Capped... Like m'Lady Jules... or The Great Merc... but that is because its My way that I prefere to show respect... I know that I know it isnt 'the norm'... But Angel never wished to be 'Normal' in the first place... I am just Me.

Peace & Love

_____________________________

Blessings

~Angel~

a belle fille violente
Do not scorn, or frown because I walk a different path to you...

(in reply to songbird26)

Post #: 12

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 2:55:02 PM

happypervert

Posts: 862
Joined: 5/11/2004
From: Scranton, PA
Status: offline

I think it is a product of the chatrooms and so the only folks who take it seriously are on-line only. For fun you could respond to the e-mails and say "go fuck Y/yourself with Y/your stupid capital letters". heh

_____________________________

I like kitty cats

(in reply to songbird26)

Post #: 13

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 3:01:59 PM

EStrict

Posts: 730
Joined: 1/11/2004
Status: offline

I try to follow the rules of basic English. I do not capitalize things like *he* or *him* when I refer to Master, but I do capitalize the word master when I am using it as his name. Since you can insert *Ross* into any spot where I have it capped, it follows proper English.

I cannot insert his name in place of the word *his* in sentences like this, so that would be poor English.

I suck at English,,, part of being dyslexic. But I do try my best to follow basic rules as poor English has nothing to do with respect, IMO.

As far as third person goes? Well, even when done well I personally feel it makes the person sound less intelligent. That is why I ignore most posts done that way. Ironically, I know it's actually MORE difficult to to properly, but it's like nails on a chalk board, just plain old grating to me.

_____________________________

Sandy

Don't take life too seriously, no one gets out alive anyway...

(in reply to darkangel)

Post #: 14

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 4:24:09 PM

velvetvixen

Posts: 351
Joined: 1/19/2004
Status: offline

I have to think too hard to do the C/caps thing and quite frankly I have enough to worry about without throwing learning new grammar and syntax into the pot.

With that being said, Master did buy me a Palm Pilot for New Year's and I have mastered grafitti 2.

(in reply to songbird26)

Post #: 15

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 4:38:31 PM

sub4hire

Posts: 3834
Joined: 1/1/2004
Status: offline

I capitalize the word Dom, primarily and only because I have a Dom whom I happen to respect.
Because of that, I just sort of assume everyone respect's their own Dominants and it has become habit to me to capitalize it.
Third party, well I will never lower myself and my education to doing that.
I've always believed our Dominants want us to succeed in life. Not bring us down. If I don't have a good hand on the English language to begin with. I certainly don't need to mess myself up even more deliberately trying to mess it up.

Although, didn't read the entire thread but Angel brought up a good point for her in a previous thread on this same topic. When she type's third person it brings her right where she should be with her submission. Or something like that.

_____________________________

"The dumbest people I know are those who know it all."

Malcolm Forbes

(in reply to songbird26)

Post #: 16

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 4:48:42 PM

CTclay

Posts: 123
Joined: 11/6/2004
Status: offline

quote:

this is just *irking* me:

the habit of Capitalizing Any Reference To The Dominant and lowercasing any reference to the submissive. I know that it's a generally-accepted convention,

Eh. Doesn't bother me. Neither do third-person makeovers. Lousy spelling and grammar are worse, especially when it wouldn't be so hard to spell check, but I'd rather people posted than decide not to post if they had to clean up their writing. Bad attitudes are even worse.

And Angel's postings are always worth reading.

(in reply to songbird26)

Post #: 17

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 5:16:03 PM

ShadowKnight

Posts: 39
Joined: 12/7/2004
From: Missoula, Montana
Status: offline

The attempted third person speech is irksome to me as well. The capitalizations I don't care about one way or the other. The mangling of a language that is your first language is just laziness. But too many people do it. A misspelled word here and there isn't what I mean either. It is the 'r u here 4 sex' mess. That stuff gets too hard to read.

Just My two tarn bits,

ShadowKnight

_____________________________

What is weightier than gold yet depresses no scale?

[email protected]

The collar is put on from without, but what it encircles comes from within. Slavery, true slavery, comes from within.

(in reply to CTclay)

Post #: 18

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 6:07:28 PM

stef

Posts: 1603
Joined: 1/26/2004
From: Boston, MA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: ShadowKnight

The capitalizations I don't care about one way or the other.

Then why do you always capitalize the personal pronouns like 'Me' and 'My' in all your posts?

~stef

_____________________________

Some people are like Slinkies. They have no practical use whatsoever, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.

(in reply to ShadowKnight)

Post #: 19

RE: The Capitalization Conundrum - 1/23/2005 6:31:55 PM

liljoy

Posts: 203
Joined: 3/25/2004
Status: offline

i started out exporing BDSM in the online chatrooms. i was taught to lowercase my self and other submissives and to cap the Doms. it's also how Master perfers i type because He too started online.
i'm sorry if it offends anyone or hurts anyones eyes but pleasing Master is my utmost concern,

lil_joy

quote:

ORIGINAL: happypervert

I think it is a product of the chatrooms and so the only folks who take it seriously are on-line only. For fun you could respond to the e-mails and say "go fuck Y/yourself with Y/your stupid capital letters". heh

(in reply to happypervert)

Post #: 20

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