ok, generally:

this   is replaced by   this
----			----
a			4, @
e			3
i			1, !
o			0 [zero]
s			5, $
l, t			7
'ate'			8 [gr8 = great, h8 = hate]



=======
this combination will create common l33t words like:
[example] {variations}

l33t = leet...geek for 'elite' [check out my l33t sk1llz]
	      {1337, 733t}
Pwn3d = owned...it means someone has succombed to someone
		else's superiority  [you have been Pwn3d!]
		{0wn3d, 0wn$, Pwn, Pwn5, Pwn4g3}
h4x0r = haxor...geek for hacker [i'm a l33t h4x0r] {h@x0r}
w00t = woot...geek for 'yay'
m4d = mad...as in 'awesome' [m4d sk!llz] {m@d}



=======
a lot of the time, a l33t word will also be spelled
phonetically or anti-phonetically:

ph33r = fear [ph33r m3 4nd B Pwn3d!!] {ph34r, ph3@r}
sux = sucks [th!s sux] {$ux0r5 (like h4x0rs), 5ux, $ux}
j00 = you [j00 5ux0r$]
d00d = dude
n00b = noob, noo-b...short for newbie [5hu+up j00 n00b!!]



=======
l33t can be a very flexible and complex language with many
variations on letters and words, sometimes even using
combinations of symbols to represent one letter:

>< = x

|\/| = M {^^}

\/\/ = W {vv}

^ = A {/-\}

|3 = B

/-/ = H

|) = D

\_| = U

() = O

( = C

--these variations aren't as common,
  but are occaisionally used to show
  extreme l33t-ness.




=======
the best way to read l33t is to first translate the
letters then sound it out.

the best way to write l33t is to be creative!!



=======
although you can use l33t speak exclusively, it is
looked down upon in most forums and chat rooms. the
best place to use l33t speak is in a brief
expression of excitement, when you are just playing
around, or in a supreme example of your geeky
prowess.