LEET (1337) is a written language or code used in online video games, emails, text messages, tweets, and other electronic communications. The root of the term "leet" is the word "elite" - transliterated as 31337 - and 1337 was initially developed as an exclusive language: a method of encrypting text so that messages could only be read by initiates. The defining feature of 1337 is the substitution of symbols and numbers for letters (for example, in the term "1337", 1 = L, 3 = E and 7 = T), but this language has also developed voluntary misspellings, phonetic pronunciations and neologisms. If you want to familiarize yourself with 1337, or if you are curious, this article will explain the basics of reading and writing in this changing language.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Read and Write in 1337
Step 1. Keep an open mind
Like all languages, 1337 is not static. Reading 1337 can be difficult, and it will often seem like it doesn't make sense, especially with the abundance of new words, random capital letters, and deliberate spelling errors. You can learn the basic guidelines of 1337, but there are no rules, and everyone can change the language according to their needs. However, it is important to remember that this applies to all languages. Everyone changes and changes; 1337 does this at a very fast pace.
Step 2. Think of symbols as shapes and not according to their meaning
For example, a 5 looks like an S, as does a $, so both of these symbols (along with others) can be substitutes for S. other people, or you can invent your own substitutions.
Step 3. Combine two or more symbols to make a single letter, such as | = for F or | 3 for B
Again, you will find some frequently used combinations, but don't be afraid to use creativity when writing, and don't be discouraged if you encounter something unusual when reading.
Step 4. Pay attention to the context
If you can't understand the meaning of a symbol, try to guess it based on the letters (symbols) next to it. Imagine playing hangman or the Wheel of Fortune: you will have to guess the missing letters based on the adjacent ones. You can do the same with whole words. If a word doesn't make sense, you may not have transliterated it correctly, or it may be a slang term you don't know. Try to guess its meaning by looking at the adjacent words within the sentence.
Step 5. Familiarize yourself with the most common phonetic substitutions
In addition to letter substitutions with symbols, 1337 can include letters that substitute for other letters, sounds, or words. For example k = ch, cks = xx, s = z or r = r. This practice is not exclusive to 1337 - you don't need to know it to understand the phrase "ke cosa".
Step 6. Be prepared for obvious spelling errors
Some are phonetic substitutions, and others have come into common use as a joke. Other variations are common, such as omitting vowels. "Creative" spelling is an integral part of 1337.
Step 7. Learn new grammar structures
Those who use 1337 often neglect the basic rules of grammar, and invent personal tricks. For example, there are suffixes to make words plural or to add emphasis. There is also the convention of changing verbs into nouns by preceding them with the article "the".
Step 8. Use acronyms
Although technically chat jargon, the use of acronyms and abbreviations is common in 1337. A lot of acronyms are used in electronic communications, for example BTW (by the way, by the way), and the ubiquitous LOL (laugh out loud, laugh out loud). Even the meaning of unfamiliar acronyms will become obvious if you look at the letters in context, such as ROFLB52BOMBER, and remember to make up your own.
Step 9. Expand your vocabulary
While most of the new words from 1337 are simply variations of common words, some of them are in fact neologisms, such as "nooblet" (n008137), a person new to 1337. The best way to enrich your vocabulary 1337.
Step 10. Adapt to inconsistencies
In some cases, you will see the same word written in different ways by different users. Or it can be the same user using different shapes. There are many inconsistencies in 1337 - get used to it.
Step 11. Use Shift Letters at random
This is an integral part of 1337. Some users use a precise method, such as writing all capital letters except vowels and last letters of words, but many use capital letters simply when they want.
Step 12. Practice reading 1337 and study the following table
The only way to learn this language is to read and write it often. You may find the table useful, but due to the creativity of the 1337 user it is obviously incomplete.
Method 2 of 2: Table 1337
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Note:
- Commas are added to separate symbols
- The symbol | (Example: B = | 3) is a "down-slash" and not a lowercase "L" or an uppercase "i"
- The symbol `(Example: T = 7`) is not a normal apostrophe, but a" grave accent ", and is not found on the Italian keyboard.
- Also remember that combinations of symbols to represent a letter are not used as often as normal letters in a quick conversation. Writing an entire sentence in this way would take three times the time, which is why single letter substitutions are used more frequently.
- A = 4, /-\, @, ^, /\, //-\\ /=\
- B = 8,]3,]8, |3, |8,]3, 13
- C = (, {, [, <, €
- D =), [}, |), |}, |>, [>,]), Ð
- E = 3, ii, €
- F = |=, (=,]=
- G = 6, 9, (_>, [6, &, (,
- H = #, |-|, (-),)-(, }{, }-{, {-}, /-/, \-\, |~|, -,]-[, ╫
- I = 1, !, |,][,
- J = _ |, u |,; _ ,; _ [
- K = |<, |{,][<,]<, <
- L = |, 1, |_, _,][_, £
- M = / / / \, | / / |, [/], (/), / V \, V , \, (T), ^^,. \, //.,] [//] [, JVL
- N = /\/, |\|, (), /|/, , {},][, \, ~
- O = 0, (), ,, *,
- P = | D, | *, |>, D,] [D
- Q = commas are required: (,) or 0, or O, or O / or
- R = |2, |?, |-,]2 2][2
- S = 5, $, š
- T = 7, +, ']', 7`, ~|~, -|-, '][', "|", †
- U = (_), | _ |, / _ \, / _ /, / _ /, _ ,] _ [, µ
- V = \/, \\//, √
- W = / / / /, | / / |, [/], (/), VV, ///, / ^ /, / / / //, 1 / / /, / / 1 /, 1/1 /
- X = ><, }{,)(, }[
- Y = '/,%, `/, / j,` `//, ¥, j, / | /, - /
- Z = 2, z, 7_, `/ _
Advice
- Here is a gem, Google speaks 1337! [1]
- Although much of 1337 is based on English, it is quickly spreading to other languages as well. Due to its nature as a code based on other languages, 1337 is incredibly versatile.
- One of the original uses of 1337 was to bypass spam and vulgarity filters (as in "pr0no" instead of "porn"), and although filters have evolved to keep up with 1337, its usefulness in this respect it has not failed.
- You can train yourself to read 1337 by changing the settings of some sites such as Google, Wikipedia and many others. (The language could be called Hacker instead of 1337).
- Visit translator 1337 and type in some random phrases. Look at the letters of your sentence and compare them with what the site translates. If you can change the translation rate, try it at 100%, 75% and 50%.
- If you want to be really creative, you can download language packs or even use special keyboards (for example in Cyrillic), to increase the number of characters available to you.
- If you use Mozilla Firefox, download the 1337 key converter extension. Leet key is also useful for other languages.
- Do not consider 1337 as a true language, its nature is purely satirical.
- One of the best ways to learn 1337 is to play an MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) such as Runescape, FlyFF, Guild Wars, or WoW. This way you will always stay up to date on the new trends of 1337.
Warnings
- Make sure you don't forget how to spell words and grammar rules correctly.
- Calling "| / | 0o8 | 3t5" people who make fun of you for using 1337 is not recommended (although funny) if you risk getting kicked out of chat.
- 1337 is harmless, but be prepared to be fooled if you use it!
- Creativity is fun and rewarded in 1337 circles, but remember that it's still a form of communication. Avoid writing a completely incomprehensible 1337. If no one can read what you write besides you, what is the reason for writing it?
Sources and Citations
- Wikipedia article about 1337
- Microsoft's parenting guide to 1337
