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Subject: Foreigner’s Posting Rights
  • gamertag: iam117
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The Frontline - A group dedicated to help improve the forums as a whole.

There’s nothing in life that can compare with experience, and that’s what this thread is about; my experience of foreigners posting here on Bungie.net.

So. Last night I came across a guy named hobob33 posting some threads in German. Now, of course I was intrigued to find out what he was saying, and so I went out to find a simple translator. After managing to decipher what he said, and it turned out to be a semi-interesting thread, which was on topic for the forum. After writing a quick response, the thread was quickly locked due to it being in a foreign language.

Recon’s explanation was that “if they cannot be read, they cannot be reviewed, so we lock them”. But it that really the case?

You can easily find a free translator using Google, and copying and pasting something isn’t the most time-consuming thing there is, either. I don’t know how widely known it is, but there’s a HUGE Halo fan-base in Europe with many fans that come to these forums (jaf is a perfect example). Now, I would like to argue; shouldn’t they be allowed to post in their own native tongue?

I asked him why he decided to post in German; getting the innocent response of “well iam not bot flamming iam fighting for a right for the german halo2 users:p”. A valid point.

You might say that threads in non-English just turn into large flame-fests, but you have to realise; that’s not the fault of the thread creator, but rather it’s the community’s fault. I’ve seen some non-English threads turn into successful ones, and even some where Mods (even Shishka) have joined in, too.

Thoughts?

  • 10.11.2006 8:41 AM PDT
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Location: Outlaws' Summit.

Personally, I don't have a problem with it, but if you don't speak English and you want to post here, a translator can only help.

I wouldn't go to a German Forum and post in all English just to make a point. If they're speaking German, I'll translate my words to German using translating tools.

I'm not against people posting in other languages, but if you want to discuss things here, you should speak English here, for the most part. Otherwise, you can't contribute effectively.

When in Rome..............

  • 10.11.2006 8:50 AM PDT

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I agree with Recon on this. (Yeah, call me what you want..)

The host kind of sets what languages can be used. However, many of the Germans I've talked to have some understanding of the English language, whether it be through their schooling over there, or other means, I don't know.

I also think that it's less effort for the member posting to translate their post, than for a moderator, who's also busy doing other things to translate it to check if it's an OK post.

  • 10.11.2006 8:55 AM PDT
  • gamertag: iam117
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The Frontline - A group dedicated to help improve the forums as a whole.

But what if they were specifically trying to address users with their own language? I think I've seen posts talking to people that speak another language, and I believe those too were locked.

Even if there were posts aimed at (for instance)... French people, (in French) most people wouldn't be able to post, but I think it could be nice just to see they exist, and for them to be able to express their national identity. There are a lot of posts talking about America all over the forums, yet other countries hardly even get a look in.

  • 10.11.2006 8:59 AM PDT

Posted by: WolfmanMaverick
You people have just sent my sides into orbit. A bunch of MLG try hards sucking the dick of some supposed pro half the thread hasn't even heard of. Classic.

Many of the members of this site will not even bother to try and translate the posts. Then the turn around and flame the user for posting in a different language. I believe the mods lock them just to keep it from happening. Personally though I could care less if they post in a different language. I can easily get a translator to get the basic points of their post.

So until we get more mature members I don't see the policy changing anytime soon.

  • 10.11.2006 9:05 AM PDT

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Posted by: Recon Number 54
But that agreement was in English. If they couldn't understand it, how can they be expected to understand, agree to, and then follow it?


Hmm, good question.. Meditate on this, I shall.

Eh, sorry, I was watching Episode 2 the other day.

No, really, that's a great point, Recon. I should also add that Bungie is an "American & English" oriented company. I know it does shut many people out, but I agree again with Recon in saying that translators are very much a "hope for the best" system. Translating a post messes with whole loads of grammar, and I've found that many users on forums usually don't type with the best grammar, spelling, and punctuation to begin with. Then add that to the fact that they're typing in another language. You go translate a post and find that half the words stay as is, because the translator has no idea what the word is. For all anyone knows, it's someone excluding a vowel of an obscene word.

(such as many English-speakers try to say the 'F' word without the 'c', etc.)

  • 10.11.2006 9:20 AM PDT

Sandswept Studios Design Director

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That said, Rant, if someone is typing in English, as a second language, they should probably mention "This is not my primary language."

That clears a lot of right there. However, even with sensible posters, the occasional idiot shows up to comment on how terrible someone spells, without actually reading anything of the post itself.

  • 10.11.2006 9:25 AM PDT
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I think people should be allowed to post in their native languages. I understand it is not too great since our moderators and most members are English speakers but it's not their (the posters) fault.

  • 10.11.2006 9:26 AM PDT
  • gamertag: iam117
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The Frontline - A group dedicated to help improve the forums as a whole.

I think it's probably fair to say that if they did have the choice to post threads/posts in their native tongue that they wouldn't appear too regularly.

Yes, there is always the possibility that people will use non-English type to try and "hide" what they're saying. For instance, people commonly use "1337" to subvert things, and that's almost commonly accepted.

  • 10.11.2006 9:29 AM PDT

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I believe one of our very good moderators doesn't speak English as a first language..

  • 10.11.2006 9:36 AM PDT

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Posted by: Rant
Posted by: SS_Zag1
I believe one of our very good moderators doesn't speak English as a first language..


You mean Recon? Yea I know. He does get by some how doesnt he.


Huh, what? No. I see how you can get that impression, though. Him and his lame typing skillz.

It must be the Pelican Pilot helmet he wears.. :O

[Edited on 10/11/2006]

  • 10.11.2006 9:41 AM PDT
  • gamertag: iam117
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The Frontline - A group dedicated to help improve the forums as a whole.

Posted by: Rant
Posted by: SS_Zag1
I believe one of our very good moderators doesn't speak English as a first language..


You mean Recon? Yea I know. He does get by some how doesnt he.

jaf's from Holland...

  • 10.11.2006 9:41 AM PDT
  • gamertag: iam117
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The Frontline - A group dedicated to help improve the forums as a whole.

Posted by: Rant
What about having a seperate forum for other languages. I know theyre alot of forums as is but maybe having an isolated place where its understood other languages can be spoken would help.

That's too extreme for what's needed. It would occasionally be used, and there are lots of foreign languages, so it would end up as a huge "mish-mash" of languages and ideas. :\

  • 10.11.2006 10:03 AM PDT
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I'm from Gholland, ischn't that vierd?!

Personally, I say nay to other languages on this website. Forums are about communicating with one another. If someone decides to post in German, than the majority of the people can't even respond to it, simply because they don't understand. Same thing goes for grammar. You should at least try to spell.

Even though I am able to respond in German, I do find it annoying, even if someone starts to speak Dutch, I find it annoying, since other people just can't understand it. Worse, are the "wut?" and "I don't understand" posts.
Besides, I'm convinced that the majority wouldn't like it if one of the moderators suddenly would only post in Dutch...

Ik bedoel, lol, ik ga jullie allemaal verbannen! :P

  • 10.11.2006 10:04 AM PDT
  • gamertag: iam117
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The Frontline - A group dedicated to help improve the forums as a whole.

Posted by: just another fan


Ik bedoel, lol, ik ga jullie allemaal verbannen! :P

I mean, will banish laugh, I you all!

My über translate skills show you're not being nice. :(

But surely if a rule was imposed saying that foreign text posts were allowed, people wouldn't moan when they come up. This could go to remove the "wut" aspect of posting. :\

  • 10.11.2006 10:10 AM PDT

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