Tone Indicator List and Guide
What are tone indicators? Tone indicators are abbreviations meant to clarify tone in conversations that happen over text. Each abbreviation stands for it’s own tone of voice, such as sarcastic (/s), joking (/j), or serious (/srs). To use them, you add one that represents your tone to the end of your message.
Why should I use tone indicators? Tone indicators are helpful for many neurodivergent people, such as autistic people, who may have trouble reading tone both in writing and spoken language. By using tone indicators you make it easier for neurodivergent people around you to understand the meaning of what you are saying!
Do I have to be serious about the tone indicators that i am using? Yes, Never use tone indicators as a joke. It defeats the entire point of them if they are used as a joke. It also strips a safe space from neurodivergent people, and it's just lazy humour.
List of tone indicators:
| Indicator | Meaning | Indicator | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| /j | joking | /hj | half-joking |
| /s | sarcastic | /gen or /g | genuine |
| /cu | confused | /srs | serious |
| /nsrs | non-serious | /pos or /pc | positive connotation |
| /neu | neutral connotation | /neg or /nc | negative connotation |
| /p | platonic | /r | romantic |
| /c | copypasta | /l or /ly | lyrics |
| /lh | light-hearted | /nm | not mad |
| /lu | little upset | /nbh | nobody here (most likely vent post) |
| /nsb | not subtweeting | /sx or /x | sexual intent |
| /nsx or /nx | non-sexual intent | /rh or /rt | rhetorical question |
| /t | teasing | /ij | inside joke |
| /m | metaphorically | /li | literally |
| /hyp | hyperbole | /f | fake |
| /th | threat | /cb | clickbait |