Please, please listen to me....
By K.Rajib G.
@krajibg (11922)
Guwahati, India
August 8, 2009 8:31am CST
Well mylotters, this is clearly stated in the mylot TOS that one user would not make comment on the usage of the language. This equates to the rule that contravention of this would be treated as violation of the TOS of mylot. This is fine. None should be be made to feel inferior or weak in his/her expression of the English Language here.
In this six months' true and sincere stay of mine I have observed that most people have miserably poor command over this language. And they, in one way or the other have expressed that they are here particularly to improve upon their language skill not for money. And if you have by mistake though noticed, there is none to help them out for to point out the morphological and syntactical as well as semantical errors is prohibited.
If you say you could MP to that particular person but we can not PM to them who are not in our friend's list neither it is possible for all to hunt friend. Is not it a paradox that the place you have stepped in to get improved can not get help at all?
Accepting that I have got your ear on this issue should not mylot admin just modify its stance on this and allow to help them get corrected where possible without being sarcastic or making the user feel inferior?
Please share...
Rajib. 09.08.09
5 people like this
14 responses
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
8 Aug 09
It seems it is up to us English or people who knew English from birth to try to write correctly so that the ones who do not know English can learn from example. I was thinking of another idea. Why does not someone start an interest so that the ones who cannot understand English get them to be their friend, such as jobs they worked as such as English Teacher. I mean that would give the person a clue. And perhaps the ones who are English Teachers could write on their profile, "if anyone has trouble with English,etc." and they have a web site, then the people here who are not that good can write off of myLot's time.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
9 Aug 09
Hi there,
It is specially for people whose mother tongue is different and are willing to learn English language and learn its application in the correct format.
Yes, I appreciate your idea and that would be a great help for those who are really eager to conceptualize this language.
About creating a new 'interest' even we can do that.
Thanks for the tips.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
8 Aug 09
This may end up as a duplicate submission. I am using one of those mini laptops and the response I tried to give had an error but the page didn't load properly when I tried to submit so maybe this will be the only response and the one with the mistake won't show.
What I tried to say:
I believe that those who wish to improve their English on myLot can do so by reading and participating in many discussions, however, not everyone's English is that good. Many who think their use of English is correct are mistaken. Who then is the appropriate teacher in this forum?
2 people like this
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@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
10 Aug 09
Thank you Canellita.
I will explain on what you have put but only after coming back from my college. Now running short of time. But whatsoever you have put ignited some new thought in me. Will tell you. Just wait...
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
9 Aug 09
Hi Canellita,
I know all those claim to have good command over this language do not have that much as much they think but they are not to be bothered for they are not aware about the common errors or mistakes that they commit but some are there who frankly speak that they are weak in English and would like to improve on it.
Now can not you and say I ( I too might be in a false notion that I know English )could be of some help to them. Am I wrong?
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
9 Aug 09
Friend, your English might be a bit complicated for someone just learning. Your sentences tend to be very complex with many modifiers and deeply intellectual, though the verb tenses are not always "correct" according to what American English standards are. American English differs slightly from what is spoken in England and there are formal and informal standards as well, though I can not speak on British standards for I am not familiar enough with them.
Your English in your myLot discussions tends to be very formal and even academic for the most part and sometimes the differences are subtle such as using the word "the" where it is not needed. For example there is a sign above the buffet in my favorite Indian restaurant that says "please use the clean plate" where Americans do not speak this way. We would say "please use a clean plate."
The use of "the" seems appropriate and correct especially when translating from a language such as Spanish or French that assigns a feminine or masculine le or la designation to a word but this may be one of the few ways in which English is simpler.
Although in England one would say they were going to university or to hospital but in the states it would be to the university or to the hospital. I think the biggest issue I see is the proper verb tenses, though native English speakers have trouble with this as well.
You sometimes get very deep and philosophical with your discussion posts and the language can get a little complicated when your eloquent words weave round and round like vines. None of us are perfect typists so this sometimes complicates matters further if typing too fast when posting to myLot. There are just so many factors besides one's grasp of a language.
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@silvercoin (2101)
• Lithuania
8 Aug 09
Hi,Rajib.Do you really believe they come here to improve their English skills?I don't think so.From the point of view of a teacher and philologist,they are people who try to express themselves and to learn.Now imagine that tomorrow we'll get a new alert from Mylot that this site isn't pay per post site anymore, but just a simple forum.I think many of them would forget their desire of studying.![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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2 people like this
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@silvercoin (2101)
• Lithuania
8 Aug 09
You can add some of them as your friends and give them some advices or lessons if you see that they are motivated to learn.![](/Content/images/emotes/wink.gif)
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2 people like this
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
8 Aug 09
I d on to deny the fact. But if you see the Chinese they are really here to learn the Language more than making money. If tomorrow mylot alerts that no money would be paid still some would be there. I know one fellow who started later than me but in number of the post he long surpassed me but if you had read his language you would run for life that English could be so hilarious.
2 people like this
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@polav0001 (26)
• Gibraltar
8 Aug 09
Hello krajibg,
Very good point actually. People like us are not as good in English as others are but we would not feel bad if some sugesst us our faults or error bit that is not happening. I also feel mylot does something in this regard.
Thanks you for such a nice post.
2 people like this
@jb78000 (15139)
•
9 Aug 09
the idea is meant to ensure people are tactful. and learning a foreign language it tricky without silly comments. by the way i teach english as a foreign language anyway (and have done for ages) so if anyone wants help or correction then you can friend and pm me.
1 person likes this
@shravandone (555)
• India
8 Aug 09
yeah dude..learning never ends..even we type grammatically right sentences,there is always a scope for improving it,either with idioms,phrases and lot many.it will be better making a mistake here rather than make a fool out of ourselves in front of everyone..
2 people like this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
8 Aug 09
I do agree with your ideas and from my observation some of the members here do have good ideas but can't express themselves well in this language. The best they do is to translate directly from their mother's tongue to English which of course result in hey-wire and distorted meaning. As languages go, English is probably the one that has evoked the most comment, criticism and controversy. More so, more recently especially in this site where mylotters come from multi lingual backgrounds. If you are going to do something it might as well be well done. You know the kind of thing I mean. "Anything worth doing is worth doing well". It's not a bad maxim to keep in mind, particularly in an age when so many are satisfied with less than excellence and make no bones about it. And what is worse is there is no attempt to improve on their second rate values and aspirations. It may be validly said that with a second language, no one really expects the proficiency that is demanded of a first language, but there is no reason why the best should not be done.
1 person likes this
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
9 Aug 09
Hi zands,
English in the second language situation has ever posed a hurdles for spontaneous expression of ideas. Only those who have strived hard have succeeded and by this i do am not up tailing the writing ability of the native speakers. Writing and speaking are two different issue.
You said it correctly that most myloters who have origin ideas cut a sorry figure while trying to translate the content from their own language becomes a garbage can like and they themselves feel this and finally call it a day from mylot.
People are not inspiring and if goes through the TOS o mylot they can not do so as well. But I feel you can do something to help out. Create an interest and lets try our hands.
@bing28 (3795)
• Philippines
11 Aug 09
Hello Rajib, I understand your concern but perhaps Mylot is just being careful(hehe forgive me of my word might be misused) as if they would allow corrections these might start misunderstanding among other mylotters. Good for those who accept and appreciate corrections what about those who felt insulted. You're an educator that's why you can't stand not sharing your knowledge especially to those who are persistent in learning. I just wish something better, related to your topic would happen after this discussion.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
12 Aug 09
Hi Bing,
No offense. Yes as I am in the profession therefore feel bad when see some users fumbling with the language. People really wish to learn but if things keep going on their pace it would not serve any purpose unless somebody points out the errors and of course interest should be hinted from the other front too.
Thanks a lot.
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
8 Aug 09
Hi krajibg, I posted a discussion the other day called 'English language learners'. In that I tried to promote the idea of a way in which the ones who wish to improve their English can ask help from others, and in turn that others would be willing to correct the English of the language learner. I could not attract a large audience by posting this myself so I have contacted Mylot hoping that they would approve this idea. In simple form I suggested that the one who required help would post 'English update' by their post and another user could come along and point out the necessary corrections. Obviously this could be open to misuse so I am hoping that Mylot will consider this and then perhaps introduce something themselves along these lines. No one likes to just assume to give a correction without being asked, and if we do so without mylot approval we may be considered as making a duplicate posting. I hope that they will give consideratio to this idea. Please take a look at the discussion and read the responses, there were people who wanted the help and others willing to give it.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
9 Aug 09
Hi thea,
I applaud your venture. That you do not get a good response for there are some who think they are walking in the right shoe and hence learning or getting corrected is a kinda lowering their own image. But I know there are surely a large number of them who would be happy to get assistance.
I personally thank you for contacting the mylot admin.
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
9 Aug 09
Hi krajibg, that is why it was aimed specifically with the idea of people asking if they wanted assistance, not offering it to everyone. I think the post did not get seen by enough people and I should have asked Mike or Lamb if they would be willing to post it in the first place as their topics reach much more people on here.
@abanerji (1026)
• India
9 Aug 09
well, dada, i agree with you to some extent but even a person with poor english has his/her share of ego. i think correcting someone whom you don't know well is not a very good idea. just for an example, i may not like if i am corrected by a person whom i don't know; my ego might get hurt.
my next argument- people who have a language problem cannot be improved with a few checks here and there. they need proper education in the field. they must themselves try to improve their language. i am quite sure that those who are not fluent with the language know that they lack the skill. in this case, they must mention in their discussion or response that their language be corrected by those who think there is some mistake... unless such a note is mentioned one must not go to correct the mistakes... and once corrected others must not correct over and over again.
finally, if possible, the site must reframe the discussions that are written in wrong english so that the rest of the users don't face problem in comprehending the stuff.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
9 Aug 09
No, those who are really eager to know would stick to their mission. They are not like you and me all ego ridden.
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
8 Aug 09
Perhaps I misunderstand the TOS for myLot, but I think that they are stating that nobody should make fun of or correct another user's language or responses in discussions. I do not think that they prohibit users from starting a discussion asking for help regarding some aspect of the English language. In fact, if someone wanted to start a discussion asking about grammar, for instance, I think that it would add value to the site, which is what I think that the myLot forum is about. As long as all the responses were polite and respectful, then I think that people could not only participate in myLot but also improve their English language skills at the same time. Like I said, I may have misunderstood the TOS and this type of discussion might be a violation, but I don't think it is, because they are asking for assistance rather than getting unsolicited and possibly hurtful feedback.
1 person likes this
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
9 Aug 09
Hi there,
You are right in the TOS it is statd that no one would attempt to belittle or make fun of the poor English of some mylotters. And this is indirectly an warning that you mind your own business. Even I do not think in consent of either party if correction is done the admin has nothing to do. But who would love to stoop and before whom?
With sort of English neither they are earning nor learning. At least one should be there. If there were a category or interest like "Learn English Language" at least those aspiring to develop their skill would get benefitted.
@Nicolas309058290 (14)
• China
9 Aug 09
Hi~~~I am a green hand of saying English and I am here eager to improve my poor English.I think you are right and I consider that people here either learning or teaching.Thanks mylot...
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
9 Aug 09
Hi,
If you have the zeal and interest none would stop you from learning. All the best. Keep in touch.
@cctvzc (36)
• China
10 Aug 09
Thanks for giving this platform of us to exchange english.I am a chinese,My english is very poor,So I just come here for help to improve my english level. Even if mylot alert that no money would be paid,I still would be here every day.I come here not for money,knowledge is priceless!I would like to make friend of you,I hope you can chat with me by english frequently!
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
11 Aug 09
Hi,
We are seriously thinking of creating a new category where all those who feel their English is not up to the mark could write there. And your co operation is highly solicited.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
12 Aug 09
Surely. if you do not feel bad you could PM me your problem and I would try my best to help out.
@cctvzc (36)
• China
11 Aug 09
yeah~~I keen need this place to practise english.I am a master student currently in China.In our country,many people want to improve their english level,but there is few chance to practise for us.My words might be misused.I am very lucky to be here,I think that mylot is a good forum,it provides an opportunity to learn english and make some friends!
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@Syadiashare (6)
• Indonesia
9 Aug 09
I'm new here and not man who good in english.
I'm not only looking for money, I just want to make a friendship with anyone in the world, sharing thougth. knowing,reading and listening what they are feeling and sharing my experience too. but i'm try hard to be good writer. wish u correct me.
Thank You very much.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
9 Aug 09
Hi,
welcome to mylot and be assured that when needed we are thee to help you out. If you do not mind there are some grammatical errors in your sentences.
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