Scratch

It's not like using google translater is illegal, but it often gives bad results. However, if a person doesn't know, it's not bad form to reply to them with google translator, because they would get the gist of it, and find the solution.
So, yeah.

I feel that using a translator to post in the Language forums is disrespectful. It's not the most accurate thing in the world, but I think that translating your posts to post in the language forums can be quite disrespectful towards that language - sort of like you're invading on their privacy. What really irks be is when people post their *projects* in the language forums - that's just blatantly greedy, especially when they don't speak the language.

markyiscool wrote:

coolstuff wrote:

I feel that using a translator to post in the Language forums is disrespectful. It's not the most accurate thing in the world, but I think that translating your posts to post in the language forums can be quite disrespectful towards that language - sort of like you're invading on their privacy. What really irks be is when people post their *projects* in the language forums - that's just blatantly greedy, especially when they don't speak the language.

I was also thinking of the moral issues involved with it. So if im correct, you recommend not to do it.

But then again what if someone has a real simple question to ask but because the large majority of Scratchers speak English, this question can't be solved and would probably deter them from using Scratch

I agree with coolstuff that you should never advertise your projects in the forum of a language you don't speak, but I think it is okay to answer the occasional question. Sometimes, questions in the foreign language forums go unanswered for months- I think a translated answer is better than no answer at all. My advice is to just make sure to tell them that you do not speak the language and apologize for using a translator.

I am German (most of you know that already), and I can speak english at a very professional level, and it annoyed me EXTREMELY when [removed] (which is English) posted a DUTCH post in the GERMAN forum. And the title of the topic was "[removed]", which means basically "First German post". But the topic was DUTCH!

[removed]

And other people would also feel so if you would post a message with google translate, because it gives bad results, and the other people would be annoyed.
In [removed]'s case it was he himself, but in the wrong forum.

The lesson is clear: DON'T DO IT.

Last edited by Wolfie1996 (2010-07-05 11:37:52)

markyiscool wrote:

meew0 wrote:

I am German (most of you know that already), and I can speak english at a very professional level, and it annoyed me EXTREMELY when [removed] (which is English) posted a DUTCH post in the GERMAN forum. And the title of the topic was "[removed]", which means basically "First German post". But the topic was DUTCH!

[removed]

And other people would also feel so if you would post a message with google translate, because it gives bad results, and the other people would be annoyed.
In [removed]'s case it was he himself, but in the wrong forum.

The lesson is clear: DON'T DO IT.

I agree with you there, but i'm not asking about posting silly comments in different languages. I'm mainly talking about threads regarding genuine questions that haven't been answered in a while that haven't got any answers back.

Yes, but the only persons who will be happy are the persons who needed help. The others will be annoyed, because someone who doesn't know the language has posted bad.

Last edited by Wolfie1996 (2010-07-05 11:39:38)

markyiscool wrote:

meew0 wrote:

Yes, but the only persons who will be happy are the persons who needed help. The others will be annoyed, because someone who doesn't know the language has posted bad.

I understand that this is an extremely sensitive topic. Sorry to show an extreme example, but would you rather feel isolated with a problem or know that at least someone's trying to help you

If you really need help, you would post in the English forum. Everyone in the world knows a bit english.
BTW, in every language forum are a few persons who can help you. And there are a few who have connection with the english forum (German: me, Jens, pinochio, Spanish: technoguyx, andresmh, etc.).

Last edited by meew0 (2010-07-05 09:10:38)

Blade-Edge wrote:

coolstuff wrote:

I feel that using a translator to post in the Language forums is disrespectful. It's not the most accurate thing in the world, but I think that translating your posts to post in the language forums can be quite disrespectful towards that language - sort of like you're invading on their privacy. What really irks be is when people post their *projects* in the language forums - that's just blatantly greedy, especially when they don't speak the language.

Yeah, and what if they are posting about needing help, or something? It would be rude to try and help them, instead of just not caring?
What if they don't get help? Well, I don't care, but it's your responsibility as a mod

Well, if they really need help, help them. But don't go ruthlessly using translators.

Anyways, why are you snooping around in forums you don't understand the language of anyways?

markyiscool wrote:

meew0 wrote:

Yes, but the only persons who will be happy are the persons who needed help. The others will be annoyed, because someone who doesn't know the language has posted bad.

I understand that this is an extremely sensitive topic. Sorry to show an extreme example, but would you rather feel isolated with a problem or know that at least someone's trying to help you

I agree with you...if there is an unresolved issue in a foreign language forum I think a good answer in ungrammatical language is better than no answer at all.  At least the person would know that somebody is trying to help.

When I attended the first Scratch conference at MIT a few years back, a teacher from Portugal went out of her way to hunt me down and personally thank me for the comments I left in very bad Portuguese on her and her students projects.  They were very happy to have somebody appreciate their work even if the comments were badly written.  I suspect it is the same in the forums 

Summing up the posts before this: Don't use the language forums that are not your language - but if someone there asks a question and isn't getting an answer, and you know the answer, then you should go and help - even if you're using a translator.