Historical Use of Capitalization

[WriterDom]

http://www.domsub.info/historical.html

This was a little interesting. I went there to read another article and this caught my eye.

 

[shy slave]

Interesting Article

I hadn't given much thought to where the use of captilisation in D/s came from.

Apart from the historical aspect, the other part of the article that stood out for me, is the part which indicates that humans thrive on social constructs.

Quote from Article:

"No matter the origins of a habit and practice, there will always be those who follow it religiously, those who follow it casually, and those who will argue against it. There is no right or wrong way, but there are methods that have proven themselves over time. You must be your own judge on what will work for you. Do be aware that subscribing or not to a certain D/s community "rule" may affect your standing within social circles you may choose to associate with. We, as humans, thrive on creating social constructs to define our ourselves and our behavior."

I can't think of any poster who does not use capitalisation, and I had previously only thought of it in terms of a mark of respect for a Dom or Master.

Has anyone not used it in the past (either on Lit or elsewhere) and if so has it been commented on negatively by others in the lifestyle?

If you were taken to task over non-use did you begin to use capitalisation in order to conform to the group or did you continue to go your own way.

Etoile ~ I know you use spivak pro-nouns where appropriate on Lit. Do other groups you are a part of use it, and is it an expected part of the social construct of the group to do so?

What are peoples' views on the casual or non-use of capitalisation.

WriterDom hope its ok to ask these things, I am not trying to hijack your thread. The article has got my brain running in circles, thats all. If its a problem please feel free to tell me so, in words of one syllable if necessary

Please feel equally free to comment on my grammer, punctuation and spelling lol

 

[WriterDom]

I don't take it to extreme, the W/we and U/us is a bit too much for me. But I do expect it of my subs in correspondence.

 

[AngelicAssassin]

Good Lord

i'm possessed by a truly dedicated intellectual of the 11th and 12th centuries.

I do expect it of my subs in correspondence.

An example if you would?

 

[WriterDom]

Re: Good Lord

i'm possessed by a truly dedicated intellectual of the 11th and 12th centuries.An example if you would?

She would type:

i hope You had a good day, Sir.

It is hard to get used to at first, but they learn.

 

[Xelebes]

Re: Interesting Article

I can't think of any poster who does not use capitalisation, and I had previously only thought of it in terms of a mark of respect for a Dom or Master.

Has anyone not used it in the past (either on Lit or elsewhere) and if so has it been commented on negatively by others in the lifestyle?

I never use it. Don't have a reason, either. If I am being playful and mischievious, I might use it. But I don't.

 

[AngelicAssassin]

Re: Re: Good Lord

She would type:

i hope You had a good day, Sir.

It is hard to get used to at first, but they learn.

Yes, they do, and seldom forget thereafter ...

Out of curiosity, do you ever refer to her by her given name in written correspondence?

 

[A Desert Rose]

I use capitalization only on occassion. Usually when I think of it. It also depends on who I am addressing.

Shadowsdream= yes, always. It has to do with my level of respect for her.

If I am speaking of my previous Dom, yes.

If I were speaking of my current Dom and I had one, yes.

I don't use the "W/we" thing, or almost never.

I do not address Dom/mes on this board any differently than I do anyone else... except for Shadowsdream.

I never used it in correspondence with my previous Dom.

When I spoke directly to Him, I called him Sir. That was His only requirement.

 

[A Desert Rose]

Now, I'm thinking....

I do believe that I will begin using the royal "We" in all my posts when referring to myself.

(I am a submissive princess, after all.)

 

[FungiUg]

Re: Interesting Article

Has anyone not used it in the past (either on Lit or elsewhere) and if so has it been commented on negatively by others in the lifestyle?

I deliberately don't use it. English is tough enough as it is without adding in contrived rules about indicating when someone is dominant or submissive. Besides, what do you use for switches? For non-BDSM'ers?

I do understand the need in some people to "stand out", to be different and yet still have a group to fit in with -- and to me, that's what this C/capitalisation stuff is all about. It doesn't appeal to me though.

Have I been commented on negatively by others in the lifestyle? You betcha! From "You don't take it [BDSM] seriously" to "You're not a real Dom." I always want to put a trademark on "real Dom".

The oddest one was when I got kicked out of a chat room by a submissive for not being respectful of his/her Mistress. The only thing I could think of at the time was that I wasn't using the capitalisation thing.

On the other hand, I have had several people who did respect my choice not to use the practice. So, swings and roundabouts really.

 

[A Desert Rose]

Yes, Fungi... WE are not into the politically correct terms, either. ;-)

 

[FungiUg]

Now, I'm thinking....

I do believe that I will begin using the royal "We" in all my posts when referring to myself.

(I am a submissive princess, after all.)

That's "We are a submissive princess", surely?

I always think a royal We should be followed with a royal flush.

 

[A Desert Rose]

That's "We are a submissive princess", surely?

I always think a royal We should be followed with a royal flush.

As in a royal flush(ed)-with-red ass?

 

[shy slave]

I use capitalisation in emails to my Master and I used to, to the online master I had.
I don't find it particularly difficult to remember to do it (even use in text mesages to Him, sad or what!!), and see it as a sign of respect.

As an aside, He does not use my name often, usually when the depression hits me like a train
The rest of the time its slave, slut, whore (Oh He has such a wonderful way with words lol).

Yes ADR, Shadowsdream and Netzach seem to command the Capitals whether they want it or not!
I have enormous amount of respect for both of them.

I don't use W/we as it is too tedious, apart from anything else.

Xelebes ~ has not using it ever been commented on?

Fungiug has a point about switches, any switches care to expand on when or if they use capitalisation?

Fungiug ~ I have to ask ~ Did you feel being kicked out the chat room affected your standing within social circles, and as a consequence of being kicked out, has it made you create new social constructs in other chat rooms and r/l to feel a part of the group and define your own behaviour?

Ok, Ok I know its a bullsh*t question but I had to ask anyway

I think I know the answer though lol[/COLOR

 

[FungiUg]

Fungiug ~ I have to ask ~ Did you feel being kicked out the chat room affected your standing within social circles, and as a consequence of being kicked out, has it made you create new social constructs in other chat rooms and r/l to feel a part of the group and define your own behaviour?

Ok, Ok I know its a bullsh*t question but I had to ask anyway

Somehow I coped with the rejection. At the time, my reaction was more "what the fuck?" No, it didn't result in me creating "new social constructs".

"My way, or the highway." That's me! (I'm a stubborn bugger.)

Actually, New Zealand and Australia no longer have access to MSN chat rooms (which is where I was at the time), so that entire social scene has disappeared.

 

[A Desert Rose]

... Actually, New Zealand and Australia no longer have access to MSN chat rooms (which is where I was at the time), so that entire social scene has disappeared.

What? Your internet is being censored?

 

[Shadowsdream]

I use capitalization only on occassion. Usually when I think of it. It also depends on who I am addressing.

Shadowsdream= yes, always. It has to do with my level of respect for her.

If I am speaking of my previous Dom, yes.

If I were speaking of my current Dom and I had one, yes.

I don't use the "W/we" thing, or almost never.

I do not address Dom/mes on this board any differently than I do anyone else... except for Shadowsdream.

I never used it in correspondence with my previous Dom.

When I spoke directly to Him, I called him Sir. That was His only requirement.

~~smile~~ hello rosey one

 

[AngelicAssassin]

What? Your internet is being censored?

No darlin' ... do a little research on changes to MSN in the last 2 and a half years.

Personally i think Bill's just trying not to get sued.

 

[A Desert Rose]

No darlin' ... do a little research on changes to MSN in the last 2 and a half years.

Personally i think Bill's just trying not to get sued.

(I can only read whispers in silver and blue when I quote the post.)

Can you just tell me about the msn changes? I rely on you to do the searches and research... You are so good at it. ;-)

 

[FungiUg]

Personally i think Bill's just trying not to get sued.

Well, I suspect that's it as well. The MSN service to Australia and New Zealand tend to be lumped in together, and Australia has passed some, er, "interesting" anti-pornography laws in regards to the internet.

 

[FungiUg]

Can you just tell me about the msn changes? I rely on you to do the searches and research... You are so good at it.

Sheesh, talk about topping from the bottom!

Anyway, here's the bit I DO know. If you go into an MSN chat room, and your Windows location is set to either Australia or New Zealand, it kicks you straight back out. There are a FEW very closely moderated chat rooms that still allow Australians and New Zealanders.

Of course, you can just set your location to be somewhere in the US, and then it's still possible to go in to the unmoderated chat rooms. But who can be bothered?

I prefer Lit.

 

[A Desert Rose]

~~smile~~ hello rosey one

Oh... Hello Ma'am.

How are You? I'm sure You know You are missed. ;-)

 

[A Desert Rose]

Sheesh, talk about topping from the bottom!

Anyway, here's the bit I DO know. If you go into an MSN chat room, and your Windows location is set to either Australia or New Zealand, it kicks you straight back out. There are a FEW very closely moderated chat rooms that still allow Australians and New Zealanders.

Of course, you can just set your location to be somewhere in the US, and then it's still possible to go in to the unmoderated chat rooms. But who can be bothered?

I prefer Lit.

Topping from the bottom? I never have really had a good grasp of that concept. I just like to defer to those wiser than I. ;-)

Like You too, Fungi.

Thank you for the explanation.

 

[RavenSpirit2k4]

I first learned my BDSM customs entirely offline, so when I got internet access about 2 years ago, all this W/we and I/i stuff was new to me, as well as subs using lower case names. I was taught to capitalize Master, Mistress, Ma'am and Sir (or whatever titles were in use) but that was it. I find I still do that, such as writing "good luck finding a Mistress".

Since I didn't know the netiquette I avoided it a long time, but then later decided it wasn't worth bothering - no offense, folks. I find even just trying to read it a bit distracting. But then, like I said, I wasn't online for years.

 

[Technodivinitas]

A letter of distinction

It seems clear to me that the online capitalization or lack thereof isn't really a question so much of respect as of distinction, and that also seems relatively reasonable, in a setting where someone's D/s status, (preference?) is relevant and something one wants to be certain E/every O/one is aware of. That it evolved itself into a cultural semi-requirement in many circles follows naturally, given O/our collective general propensity toward status & symbolism.

In a face to face setting, the use of capitalization is likely to be irrelevant, isn't it? Unless of course a sub is denied the use of speech and is scratching notes with a crayon or something.

Now, the third-person thing, I can certainly see the use of in person, as a training technique: It's classic depersonalization, first off, which most subbies I know, (including myself,) associate with deep subspace. Plus, it goes back to that thread about keeping your sub conscious of their place, and of course, there's the kind of 'tuning the sub to a different wavelength' aspect as well.

Now, to throw Y/you all a curve-ball, (as me and my Master are often inclined to do,) my Master required the third-person, and the no-caps from me for the first two years too, but He took it a psych-step farther: I was not allowed the use of the letter "i" at all, because there was to be no I in my world. And if you consider the third-person, no-caps format of online slave-speech to be distracting or hard to read, try this on for comfort:
"a gyrl's Master taught her to wryte only yn thys way... after a tyme, she not only became accustomed to yt, but consydered yt beautyful and dystynctyve. Master agreed- He sayd yt was only fyttyng for Hys gyrl."

Believe me- I recieved more than a few stern looks, butt-swats, and occasional cane-strokes for having slipped!