Formality

to me, it seems that most people on the site in general talk quite casually and with a lot of slang (or just referencing memes). but on the sharing page/forums you'll get more of what you're talking about when people are trying to seriously have discussions versus when people are just talking about themselves or lighter topics.
I don't think I'm particularly formal on here, but I'm aware that it's not especially casual or relaxed, either. but I think that's just a consequence of the discussions I want to participate in.
whatever I post here is a more refined version of how I usually talk, because I can edit and reflect on my words in a way that I can't in a live conversation. people irl might say that i talk in a measured way, not very fast or snappy. I'm more stiff and careful/cautious with unfamiliar people, and loosen up and ramble more with people I'm closer to.
I'm familiar with aave and the slang that results from its appropriation online, but since it's not really my usual way of talking, I fear that it would come off like "how do you do, fellow kids", if I used it.

irl, I tend not to speak unless I feel like I have something worthwhile to say. I'm usually a listener irl and a lurker online. you lose a lot of tone and attitude cues with only text, so when I'm making the effort to say something, I like to be as clear and precise as I can to avoid having those obnoxious exchanges that happen when people assume others can read their mindset and intent and will always interpret what they say in good faith even while saying things in unclear or contradictory ways. I say what I mean and mean what I say, so I want to word things right the first time and avoid ambiguity. I also don't like it when people take roundabout ways to make a straightforward point, so I favor being direct and concise. (it's different when my posts get long, because I'm talking about complex topics, lol) so I don't mind taking more time to be careful with my words, plus it's a bit of an intellectual and writing exercise to see if my thoughts can make sense to other people.

I assumed that it's better for people using translators or who don't primarily speak English to be precise, straightforward, and to avoid using too much slang.

if you're ever reading something of mine and not understanding it, I don't mind explaining or rephrasing. you just have to ask. I don't bite. (=・ω・=)

I’m very formal when it comes to people I don’t know, both in English and my mother tounge. And when they talk to me in informal I’d response informally too.

Can you give me some examples?? I'm struggling to understand wym by this

Well generally speaking, from my experience, informal/casual speech is the norm here?? The best instance is the use of slangs and filler words. They're EVERYWHERE and like 90% of the population converse through them. For the most part, I think you're probably confusing it with politeness since a good chunk of us aren't necessarily rude people unless provoked.

The ones who speak "academically" are usually much older folks with a high educational background, idk whether they're doing it unconsciously or not but very few talk snobbish. Some choose to selectively talk this way to prove a point, especially in the forums when the topic of interest is serious and sensitive, it gives off an "ik what I'm talking about" vibe yk?

Another factor is also vocabulary? The lack of emoji usage?? Several things contribute to give off a perceived image, well ultimately everything depends on the individual (￣∇￣")

I think its specifically bc a big chock of active users are non native speakers. I personally dont write as formally anymore but in the past I would do it bc thats what you learn first, the most formal and proper structures. Speaking informally in a second language is harder since we usually dont have casual interactions irl so we cant be caught up with most slangs

I seldom use english irl , it's only when i'm online that i'm comfortable with the language. And i get you , it's not your first preference so it's a given you won't be an ace in it

No!! Don’t be discouraged about your struggles. I think it’s a subculture here to be kind of formal. Most other places online are very informal and not like this at all.

In real life, everyone on this site is probably less formal. It’s like when you write a paper for a class. You use an academic and formal tone. In real life, you don’t talk like that a lot.

For me it's just online, I don't actually talk much irl and English is my 3rd language. So I understand where you're coming from with how people be talking here lol I even get language barrier and misunderstand people and they also do the same to me. Cause I can't like interpret the words I want to clearly that just would work fine in my language.