Sarcasm and irony marks
By Myrrdin
@Myrrdin (3599)
Canada
March 11, 2008 3:14pm CST
Following up on my post on misreading posts http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1431509.aspx I came across the recommendations that we adopt irony and sarcasm marks which would be similar in use to question marks and exclamation marks. I think this would be a great idea.
The irony mark looks somewhat like a backwards question mark.
The closest I have found for the sarcasm mark is a exclamation mark in parenthesis or quotation marks ie "!" or (!)
What do you think about adopting these forms of punctuation.
3 people like this
5 responses
@ShardAerliss (1488)
•
11 Mar 08
But... but... I like when people miss the irony of a statement! Or when sarcasm is misinterpreted!
I don't know, I think sarcasm (and irony) would lose much of its humour (and sometimes its punch) if we had to outright indicate that it was such.
Although abusing the new marks would be a lot of fun(!)
*snicker*
2 people like this
@Myrrdin (3599)
• Canada
11 Mar 08
it is true that both would lose much of the punch, but true sarcasm is indicated with tone while speaking, though irony isn't so it'd be hard to determine if they would actually be useful or just superfluous and outright ruin the joke. I hadn't thought of it that way.
1 person likes this
@ShardAerliss (1488)
•
11 Mar 08
Tone, yes. It is difficult to sometimes get it across in written word. Just as a question is differentiated from a statement by the tone when speaking, so is sarcasm. And questions do require a question mark.
I think I am simply used to phrasing sarcastic remarks in such a way that they should be understood by most as sarcasm. Although thinking about it; I do tend to use the little emoticon _ to indicate sarcasm, or *rolls eyes*
Maybe you're right that a sarcastic mark would be beneficial, but I still stand by my remark about abuse. Goodness knows the exclamation mark gets thrown around often enough.
2 people like this
@Arkadus (895)
• Canada
15 Apr 08
It's hilarious when people don't catch an ironic sentence. Also, I have no idea how to make backwards question marks or upside down whosamawhatsits, I'll assume it's just an alt-code I don't know.
I usually just use [sarcasm] and [/sarcasm]
Anyone who know their internets knows that those are an on and an off tag, those who don't tend to catch that sarcasm is involved... at least I hope they do. As for ironic, I never tag those, I have to have some enjoyment in life after all.
1 person likes this
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
11 Mar 08
While on here, why not use this:
Or if it's not sarcasm you're getting at, this:
Or if it's not sarcasm you're getting at, this:
@kdhartford (1151)
• United States
12 Mar 08
I kind of like this idea. I thrive on sarcasm and cynicism and sometimes it does not come out quite like I meant it. It is easier to do when you can see the smile on my face.
1 person likes this
@Gerean (60)
• United States
15 Jul 08
All sarcasm aside *intentional fake cough with a side of eye rolling*, if the spin of an intelligently written word or phrase alone cannot communicate the irony one might hope to convey, then perhaps one might opt to pursue punctuation mark or smiley face development as a use of time with a more successful outcome. In other words, for some hopeful sarcasm writers, it may be wise not to just yet quit their day job. *smiling, of course, as an indication that I wish no offense to be taken.*
Great discussion topic. My compliments.
