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Author Topic: RESIDENT PEDANT  (Read 9292 times)

Offline Richard

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RESIDENT PEDANT
« on: March 02, 2009, 15:24:21 »


Resident Pedant

As we all know, our Playmofriends are from all over the world. For many, English is NOT their first language!

Can anyone even imagine how difficult it must be to use a translator (like Babelfish) to try to understand a post that has missing words, improper grammar, and a sprinkling of words spelled incorrectly?

So, the question is, "Do we need one (or more) of our members, with editing capability, to make corrections to posts so that they can be translated more easily?"

Do we need a Resident Pedant? (or maybe two?) ... ;)


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Offline Sylvia

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Re: RESIDENT PEDANT
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2009, 15:42:13 »

Quote from: Richard on March 02, 2009, 15:24:21

So, the question is, "Do we need one (or more) of our members, with editing capability, to make corrections to posts so that they can be translated more easily?"


Hmm... sounds like trouble to me.
I think many members will not like it if we go around changing their posts for them. :hmm:

If someone is having a problem understanding something, they could just ask the person who has posted it to clarify the meaning, either publicly or privately - whichever they think is best, depending on the situation. I'm sure that nobody would take offense at this.

Posting in a native tongue which isn't English is acceptable too, so long as the member makes an attempt at including an English translation.

Please, everyone, make use of the "Spell Check" function before you post, especially if you are not confident that you have spelled certain words correctly. It only takes a few seconds to check your spelling. :)

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Offline Rasputin

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Re: RESIDENT PEDANT
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2009, 15:47:50 »
I for one have never had trouble understanding any of the members who have English as a second language . Yes there are grammar errors and such but i do get the gist of what they are tying to say "Look how cool my Playmobil is"

I do not know how it is for them or if they translate the english to their native tongue .

I know when i read the Bable fish translation of the Hans story ( originally German ) you really did miss a lot of the feelings behind the article .

I am illiterate in two languages so i am sure i make all kinds of grammatical errors . I guess the more educated you are in the subject the more it might get annoying  

You know it might add to the charm if we all babbled like children seeing as we are playing with toys , it would be like being in character on a play date ;)
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Offline Bill Blackhurst

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Re: RESIDENT PEDANT
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2009, 15:52:10 »
Quote from: Richard on March 02, 2009, 15:24:21
Resident Pedant
As we all know, our Playmofriends are from all over the world. For many, English is NOT their first language!
Can anyone even imagine how difficult it must be to use a translator (like Babelfish) to try to understand a post that has missing words, improper grammar, and a sprinkling of words spelled incorrectly?
So, the question is, "Do we need one (or more) of our members, with editing capability, to make corrections to posts so that they can be translated more easily?"
Do we need a Resident Pedant? (or maybe two?) ... ;)

Hello Richard!
I can only imagine trying to translate words through a translation software when there are errors in the original spelling! I feel that before we have proof readers to correct the spelling errors, all that needs to be done is utilize the "spell check" feature which I myself am truly grateful for having on this forum already if people would just utilize it! Thank you Sylvia for "spell check"! If proper grammar becomes an issue, causing translation errors, there maybe a need for something more extravagant to be done, but I hope that people will just take the time to use what is already available, & slow down just a little to minimize errors! This is just my opinion though! Please feel free to contradict me on this subject if someone has a better idea, or has time to take on the Resident Pedant position themselves.
Bill
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Offline Arizzo

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Re: RESIDENT PEDANT
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2009, 16:05:27 »
 :hmm:  errr .... sorry ....

I did not understand what you are talking of ...

could you please write it again with words easy to understand for us foreigners ....

 :P :P :P







 :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Offline Gepetto

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Re: RESIDENT PEDANT
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2009, 16:22:23 »
Quote from: Sylvia on March 02, 2009, 15:42:13
Hmm... sounds like trouble to me.
I think many members will not like it if we go around changing their posts for them. :hmm:

If someone is having a problem understanding something, they could just ask the person who has posted it to clarify the meaning, either publicly or privately - whichever they think is best, depending on the situation. I'm sure that nobody would take offense at this.

Posting in a native tongue which isn't English is acceptable too, so long as the member makes an attempt at including an English translation.

Please, everyone, make use of the "Spell Check" function before you post, especially if you are not confident that you have spelled certain words correctly. It only takes a few seconds to check your spelling. :)




I think this is the most prudent course of action, the 'spell check' is a wonderful tool.




Gepetto
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Offline playmofire

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Re: RESIDENT PEDANT
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2009, 17:33:57 »
I agree that where members are writing in English as their second language or using a web translator the post is understandable although a bit of thought may be needed.  The same goes for those with English as their first language who are not so good at hitting the right keys or spelling.  Certainly the spell checker is a good thing to use.  On some foreign boards where I am the non-native language speaker, members have contacted me privately where a web translation has come out unclear or funny or just plain rubbish and have then helped me sort things out.  Also, members have contacted me privately to ask me to help them on writing in English where they post on English speaking boards.  Certainly, if a member on this board wanted help with posts, I'd be glad to help them.
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Offline Amd

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Re: RESIDENT PEDANT
« Reply #7 on: March 02, 2009, 18:44:13 »
you guys are rigth, a lot of us have a different first languaje, and my ideas are quite oposite(?), i've been living in the U.S. for a while now, and actualliy writing is something i dont do very often... only in the web...

but i can share with you a few impressions...

a couple months ago i try to register for the klickiewelt, using the traductor and even try to double check my writting, i post a couple comments, using the traductor i reallize everuything was wrong, even puntuaction...  but i dont know how the grammar work... so, i just put it aside, and know i just try to enjoy everything, learn. instead of write something that wouln't even show my way of think... or distortionate (?) my message...

and i think everyone should post the comment in the first languaje, and the use a translator... at least we may got two choices...

and the one who post may learn a little bit of a another languaje...


and the people who got skills in two languajes can understadn and point things just in feedback way...

mi primer idioma es el español, pero no soy muy bueno tampoco con la gramatica, asi que ni uno ni otro...
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Offline Martin Milner

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Re: RESIDENT PEDANT
« Reply #8 on: March 02, 2009, 22:23:32 »
How would the pedant work out the true intended meaning?

I think there would be no end to the possible corrections, and we're better off being tolerant unless a post is utter gibberish in which case a request for clarification would be perfectly acceptable.
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Offline Gepetto

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Re: RESIDENT PEDANT
« Reply #9 on: March 02, 2009, 23:31:39 »
I think that what Amd said makes sense, if English is not your first language posting in your native language and English would allow any other users who are familiar with your native language to help clarify if warranted.



Gepetto
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