Howdy :)
I was wondering... what special quirks of language do people use when they are communicating in Second Life?
For example, do you use smileys? If so, which ones? Do you have favourites, why?
Another example : are there any special tricks you use to compensate for the lack of body language in SL, such as trying to be bolder/clearer when you express in yourself in SL?
Does the ability to simply mute people who judge you negatively make you feel more able to express yourself in ways you wouldn't in RL?
Are there certain phrases you have developed that are somewhat 'code' for other things?
How much of your mood shows through in your writing - is it consistent or highly variable?
Do you sign onto SL when you feel good, when you feel bad, all the time... or just at a certain time of the day (e.g. after work)?
What are your thoughts on the 'language' of SL as distinct from written English? I know we have emoctions and we have abbreviations like 'AFK'. I'm not so interested in those... I'm more interested in ways people change their language to reflect the fact they are online. How they do things like repeat what they say, or be what would be considered 'tactless' in Real Life as this is necessary to convey information without the aid of body language. I'm interested in how people deal with not knowing someone's gender. Do you use 'him' all the time? 'her' all the time? Do you use 'they'? How do you deal with not knowing so many of the things you know IRL? The ignorance and anonymous nature of the net?
Are you more patient on the net? Less patient? Is this because when you're on the net, this is your 'free', 'pleasure' time and thus you are here for fun, or are you being nice because it's your job?
In general.. how much does the environment (a mostly text, partly image-based online social environment) influence the way we communicate? I'd like to know, for personal curiousity.
If you want my answers to these questions, please IM me :)