| typing quirk ( n.) | |
|---|---|
| Applies to | systems, headmates |
| Origin | Already in circulation |
A typing quirk is an alternative way of typing that results in atypical online speech patterns. Many typing quirks are involuntary, but some may type differently on purpose, for fun or any other reason. Typing quirks are often associated with fictives from certain sources, as well as littles and neurodivergent symptom holders, but any headmate can have a typing quirk; in fact, typing quirks are not plural-exclusive, and singlets can and do have them as well. Some examples of typing quirks are replacing all instances of the letter O with zeroes (h0w are y0u t0day?), duplicating letters, such as at the front of words or vowels (hhow aare youu ttoday?), or replacing syllables with similar sounds (how awe u today??).
Individuals with typing quirks are often treated badly in public spaces, and harassment can range from accusations of ableism, to fake-claiming, and even to threats of violence. Typing quirks in and of themselves are not ableist; many cannot be read by screen readers and may be difficult for those whose first language is not English, but those concerns can be mitigated by providing a standardized translation. However, some individuals with typing quirks may be unable to provide one themselves. In this case, having another headmate (if they are part of a system) or friend provide a translation is a good alternative. This may not be necessary, depending on where a message is being posted; if it is on a public forum or social media, such as Tumblr or Twitter, it is good practice, but if it is in a private Discord server, it may not be needed.
