Ambiguous discussion -- Your views !

Don't you remind me about this kala. Not knowing the difference between the word 'topic' and 'discussion' by so many here it gave me the jitters in that I was bombarded with lectures left, right and centre which resulted in my Star plummeting to 9 and rating from 95 to 92!

I have to admit to being somewhat of a coward and if I don't fully understand the discussion I stay away from it. I guess really I should ask for clarification, but I am always a little worried about upsetting or insulting the poster.

There is nothing wrong in making little mistakes while writing or speaking in an alien language.But that need not be an excuse to make mistakes.One has to learn to properly use any language that is used frequently.The sad part is that people making the recurring mistakes with the devil may care attitude.

Since not every member speaks fluent English, it can be difficult for some members to write their discussions. When there is no way I can figure out what the member is asking or describing, sadly I have to move on and not respond. But, this has only happened a couple of times since I've been a member myself. Everyone gets an "E" for effort. I also think myLot is a great learning tool for some members. It's a good place to get started and learn. I am all for each member making their best attempt at writing.

If a discussion is ambiguous, all the person's friends need do is ask for clarification. I do this a lot. In a real discussion, there is not just a statement and lots of individual comments, but rather a broader interaction. There have been some funny typos on here though, because a little misspelling can sometimes make a word mean the opposite of what was intended.

I am a Sri Lankan living in Germany for more than 11 years. I had a fair english knowledge when I was in Sri lanka. But after coming to Germany I had a big burden on my head, learning German language. Day and night I had to fight with German language. So I ignored english. Now a days I make lot of spelling mistakes. grammer I have forgotten much. Before I used to think in English and translate it in to german. Now I used to think in German then translate it into English. Most of the time I don't undrestand what USA or europian people are writing. I just skip. But thanks God: I easily understand what my Indian friends write.

If I were to respond to or post a topic that someone did not understand I would simply try to clarify as there are people here from around the world and yet just one language. I use to have responders when I first started on here that made me scratch my head trying to figure out what they were trying to say, but it is all good as long as there is some thought behind their words and if I was completely stumped I would send a message and ask then post an English version of what they were trying to say. There is no reason for someone to get upset or angry about it as it is part of life and as you said, "everyone makes mistakes" Have a great day!!

Hi kalav56, I'm here learning language and I started writing in English since I had joined myLot as member four years back. at that time help was needed badly from my loved ones as well as dictionaries, etc. I know sometimes I still would use inappropriate words in constructing sentences. I think if too bother about whether words and phrases using I then could hardly to carry on my post writing here. If I come across any topic with ambiguous content I either let go the discussion, or I would write something from my own view if I still have something to share with the host. I did learn from the comment left in my response box later what the actual intent the writer was prone to express then Have a nice day

I have come across topics I had trouble understanding and I sometimes get the gist by reading other’s responses if I am not the first and at other times I’ve had to admit to the discussion starter that I am not clear on what he or she is trying to say. I believe the confusion can happen when folks from non-English speaking backgrounds attempt to make literal translations. I guess it cannot be helped and these MyLotters should be commended for having a go.

Hi Kalav, This is such an interesting and Practical discussion that you brought up today. Yes, people whose mother-tongue or first language isn't English could certainly find it difficult to coin the appropriate phrase, sentence and even words. If the topic is sensitive like a religious view or pertaining to any sentimental issues wrong choice of words and phrases can cause misunderstandings. It is very wise to admit one's mistake, not only here at a discussion forum but elsewhere too. There is no end of learning I guess. Cheers!

Hi kala... I better know that my english is too poor and negligible, yet i try a lot to improve it my level best. When i write here, a fear always works on my head and heart so that i should not be treated ill for misinterpretation. Sometimes, i can't participate in some discussions where most of my friends are interacting. It hurts me badly so i am applying all my efforts so that no one can laugh at my wordings and i can't stay away being alone in some discussions.

Tickles sometimes, horror sometimes and confusion sometimes. It does happen. Direct translation and accent can do that. Take people from Gujarat, more apt to write "Snakes" for "Snacks", because of the way they pronounce the word. This adds to the color of the discussions. I like it!

Hi kala, it is true and i am one best example for that. I will write with what English knowledge i have, but you know kala people of mylot are very good, they will try to understand my language and they will give response. I really appreciate the people over here. They are struggling to understand what i wrote i feel sometimes But never they pointed out what i wrote. They are adjusting with my poor English and the grammar. As you know i am an Indian and Indian English is little different from original English. Some of the US people English i couldn't understand because i don't know their English because i have not trained in their language, what i read and learn only i know. So i may be doing so many mistakes while writing, but unknown. Some times i feel if someone will correct our language how nice, still i can say thanks to the members over here, since i joined mylot i learned how to talk or write English victoriously. Have a good day Kala.

Hi dear, This is an important topic and there is too much relevance in the cases of blogging/comments/debates etc carried through a common internet community sites. As English is the common medium and it is accepted and operated internationally with a variety of regions and differently language backgrounds. All are not good in language, especially in English. As being English is the medium of communication, we require basic knowledge also. Few months back, one Japans/Malaysian friend was commenting that she does a heavy hard work to participate in myLot discussions. First she understand the discussion topic in her own Malaysian language, then she will understand the meaning, think in English, write in English. In short, she was trying her bet to participate in myLot discussion. Still she was so good in writing and was trying to learn English. I mean to say, I never criticize any one in their writing. I will get the idea on what they are trying to tell. Sometimes due to the regional language sentence structure may not be in the order of English so that the meaning can go wrong. James killed a snake (Noun/Verb/Object). As this is the order here in English and many other language order may be different and the thinking also depend on the regional language. While translated the regional matter from English, order may get change and the meaning also would change accordingly. However, here we all are not looking on grammar or sentence structure. Just commenting on the subject with our own view in a simple way of interpretation. This may lack clarity. But which doesn’t mean they are wrong. As all are different in nature it would be lightly difficult to get a uniform culture in the web. However, there is a locally modified version browser which translates our language in their own language. Below is a link where we can use local language converter and use for someone while preparing their contents. You can download it and make a try. It is fast and working properly. But for your language, I am not sure of it. But do a try and provide your opinion. You can download this browser and implement the exe file. If not like, you can remove it. http://www.epicbrowser.com/ Thank-s

huh? Just kidding...

yes kind of fun sometimes. so i dont see why anyone would get mean about it or upset. this being an american/english speaking website, most of us dont know any other language. i dont. so, we need to be patient with people who dont understand whats being said. as for myself, ive never tried to make money from a foriegn based website so see no need to learn the language.

Hi kala All here don't have english as their mother tongue, so english of all members may not be equally good or bad, if one can understands a discussion and responds to them it is well and good, it serves the purpose very well.. Thank you so much for this discussion. Professor ‘Bhuwan’. . God bless you. Welcome always.

hello kalav56, You have a point there. I am not a native speaker. I do know how to write and speak English and I even teach the language. But I often find it hard to interpret some expressions that native English use in their discussions. I would tend to interpret it literally and unable to understand the core of the discussion. So if this is the case I choose to skip the discussion and find another one.

As you said, language is a tool to communicate that is all. Certainly we all can understand if some one who is not strong in English, and communicate with little and broken English. No doubt in it. may be very few times, we will be puzzled and its natural.

If I was to respond to a topic that someone had posted that I did not understand. I would simply point out the fact that I have difficulty understanding what they are trying to say.