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General discussion

Mods, Is this being ignored or what???

May 21, 2006 6:12AM PDT

Discussion is locked

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not just the Mods evie
May 22, 2006 2:08AM PDT

my little deux a fait face

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The point is ...
May 22, 2006 2:50AM PDT

... that Lee said "as a common courtesy to all the members of these forums that all foreign content shall be translated or referenced accurately by the owner of the post", because "It makes the job difficult for our moderator to know when a post in a foreign language is offensive or not".

Nobody should have to spend their time translating here. Period. Lee was pretty clear, it's puzzling to see the Moderators having such a problem with this.

Making up Spanish words makes it even worse. For example, if I were to say I was very embarrassado I'm pretty sure most people would be thinking one thing although it means another thing entirely.

If this poster knows the English sounding Spanish equivalents, why doesn't she just "as a common courtesy to all the members of these forums" say them in English?

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I fail to see the consistency
May 22, 2006 2:33AM PDT

So far on this issue I've been told:

[quote=Toni H]
It was determined at that time that all posts would be/must be in English in order for Moderators to be able to be of help.....If all members can't understand the post, then the post will be removed in Speakeasy, because there is no reason to NOT post in English when every member here knows how to speak it and they have been doing so since day one.

Post 7/18/2004[/quote]

[quote=Cindi]
Also, please make all future posts in English. As we are not translators, we will assume they are derogatory and they will be pulled.

Post - 07/18/2004[/quote]

[quote=Lee]I'm going to make this a rule today...

And I'm NOT going to update the TOS, for it obvious that these forums are presented in American English, not codes or any other languages.

It shall be known from here going forward, that any post whether it be an article, phrase, quote, etc., that is posted in a foreign language or code--as a common courtesy to all the members of these forums that all foreign content shall be translated or referenced accurately by the owner of the post.

Any post in the forums that are not in English without accurate translation or reference will be reviewed and appropriate actions will be taken.

We are here to learn, but not to assume or to guess about foreign content. It makes the job difficult for our moderator to know when a post in a foreign language is offensive or not. And since these forums are hosted in English, the content of post should be in English, so that the majority of our readers can get a fair understanding of what has been posted. So please be considerate to other members in the forums when posting your messages.

Thank you.
-Lee
CNET Community

Post - 07/22/2004[/quote]

And now it is suddenly:

[quote=Angeline]
It has to be Yes and No
[/quote]

Is this Speakeasy's definition of consistency? Are non-translated, spanglish insults going to be allowed or not?

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Inconsistent?
May 22, 2006 3:39AM PDT
without accurate translation , so I don't see the inconsistency.in my reply, nor anything I said that contradicts what you cited.

In addition, foreign words have been added to the English dictionary for a long time, and become commonly used.

I could be called inconsistent in not calling Evie on her root post in another thread , but I believe that everybody knew what was said. Mark provided a translation for his
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Call me on it PLEASE!
May 22, 2006 3:49AM PDT

I asked if Lee's directive was now defunct. Apparently it has been, at the very least, reopened for interpretation.

In a previous thread, Gabriela went so far as to have to us special characters to use the Spanish "contribuci

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Yes, inconsistent
May 22, 2006 4:41AM PDT

Somehow the rule has gone from "will be pulled" and "assumed derogatory" to standing based on the mod if a translation is supplied or implied. Depending on the poster and the mod the rule is applied firmly or loosely. I'm only saying it should be the same for all, that's consistent.

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It was Lee...
May 22, 2006 5:02AM PDT

... who stated re: a translation being provided.

However, it is clear to me that my character and integrity is again widely under question, and frankly, I am worn out by it.

I went through the same thing not long ago re: posts with "BS", etc.

I reckon I should fgo and delete a post I recently made in which I used "grandeur".

Angeline

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my character and integrity is again widely under question
May 22, 2006 5:05AM PDT

Certainly not by me.

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Au contraire
May 22, 2006 9:11AM PDT
However, it is clear to me that my character and integrity is again widely under question, and frankly, I am worn out by it.

I do not feel that way at all. You have explained yourself quite well and I feel you are doing what Lee has asked for the most part. It is not particularly you actions I question.

When I replied with gibberish to gibberish it was not you that made it bluntly clear to me that such untranslated remarks would be assumed derogatory and would be deleted. Now I would like to hear why these mods are not treating such remarks as derogatory and removing them as they told me they would.

Toni specifically told me, "If all members can't understand the post, then the post will be removed in Speakeasy, because there is no reason to NOT post in English when every member here knows how to speak it and they have been doing so since day one." We know there is at least one member here that clearly knows how to speak plain English in the other forums at CNet but they get a pass in here dropping spanglish when there is no reason NOT to post in plain English just as I was instructed....unless of course, the rules are different for different people.
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There are multiple issues ...
May 21, 2006 11:39AM PDT

From a strictly legalistic perspective the forum is supposed to be in English because the owner said it is supposed to be in English. In a private forum that SHOULD be enough reason by itself. People who are boorish enough to abuse their host's hospitality run the risk of being uninvited.

From a practical perspective there are multiple issues but the one that has the most historical importance is precisely the fact that the moderators cannot be 'language police'. If the mods do not know the contents of a post they cannot serve as moderators. There have been problems with use of languages other than English.

It is true that the standard of 'English only' is both arbitrary and subjective (Is Ebonics English?) but I do not think it is unreasonable and it does facilitate communication in this forum as well as the more technical forums (fora?). The moderators have not abused their authority in that regard. They certainly have not turned into grammar police trying to enforce standard English. There are at least 1 or 2 regular posters who would be in trouble if it came to that!

I'm sure that people who want to post in other languages can find any number of more suitable venues for that purpose. For those who wish to post foreign language text in this forum there is always a simple out: Provide a translation along with the foreign language. That should not be terribly hard to do.

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Because as you know or should reasonably ought to know
May 21, 2006 1:24PM PDT

English is the language of the US.

Unlike Canada where you come from, as do I, our Official Languages Act allows both English and French.

America where this organisation is located is, unilingual English.

You have the right to speak any language in your home, community or ethnic group.

Do not force that nonsense in a Forum such as this.

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(NT) (NT) ty david
May 21, 2006 1:30PM PDT
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would someone please post TOS rules AGAIN
May 22, 2006 12:17AM PDT

I've seen them here, so many times, I thought I was at an rnc strategy meeting. repeat, repeat, ad infinitum* (oops). and don't forget repeat. classic zombie** (oops) tactic.


* endlessly, forever, without limit: abbrev. ad inf

** afr origin, common enlish usage (cancel 2nd oops)

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re
May 22, 2006 12:21AM PDT

I'm going to make this a rule today...
And I'm NOT going to update the TOS, for it obvious that these forums are presented in American English, not codes or any other languages.

It shall be known from here going forward, that any post whether it be an article, phrase, quote, etc., that is posted in a foreign language or code--as a common courtesy to all the members of these forums that all foreign content shall be translated or referenced accurately by the owner of the post.

Any post in the forums that are not in English without accurate translation or reference will be reviewed and appropriate actions will be taken.

We are here to learn, but not to assume or to guess about foreign content. It makes the job difficult for our moderator to know when a post in a foreign language is offensive or not. And since these forums are hosted in English, the content of post should be in English, so that the majority of our readers can get a fair understanding of what has been posted. So please be considerate to other members in the forums when posting your messages.

Thank you.
-Lee
CNET Community

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They were there when you signed up ...
May 22, 2006 12:25AM PDT
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Look on the left side of the page. An explanation.
May 22, 2006 12:40AM PDT

... right under the "Welcome...."

Click on "Forum policies", and also on "Frequently asked questions".

The one that Mark posted above is not there. lee posted that when some posts were being made entirely in a foreign language, or there were postions of the text in the body in non-English.

When such happens, the posts are to include a translation. If I post "Ad astra per aspera" (Latin), I must post "To the stars through difficulties." Howevber, there are other foreign phrases and words that are well known. ON that is what I based my decision to not delete the posts now so under contention that contained well known Spanish words. But, as you see, there are those that do not agree with me.

It was not done because members often use well known foreign words that have become popular and well known. I often use the French word "Voila!". No doubt I will be called on that.

Angeline
Speakeasy Moderator
click here to email
semods4@yahoo.com

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(NT) (NT) thanks for help; but I was being sarcastic
May 22, 2006 12:59AM PDT