~Is It Offensive?~
By Jennifer
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
Valdosta, Georgia
September 19, 2016 6:34pm CST
I am the admin of a babysitting group on FB. I was just thinking about adding to the rules "English language only" but I don't want to offend anyone. There's a couple women that just joined and their speaking in Spanish, which to me is strange because most of us only speak English in the group.
Am I being offensive by adding that rule?
12 people like this
15 responses
@yukimori (10145)
• United States
20 Sep 16
Do you consider the English-only rule here on myLot to be offensive?
I think if it's done in a similar manner to myLot's language restriction, it can be an okay thing. Maybe just an "I'm sorry, but the moderator(s) of this group do not know Spanish and are not able to allow languages other than English at this time" would work. I'd approach it from that angle to avoid seeming discriminatory... wouldn't kick them out for using Spanish, but definitely encourage them to repost in English. If it gets to be a real disruption, perhaps offer some suggestions on how to create their own Spanish-language group for the same topic?
4 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
20 Sep 16
@yukimori No I don't find the rule here offensive at all. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't rude or anything since I don't need drama or issues. I will definitely go about it in the way you suggested since that's the most professional way to handle it. Thank you! =)
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99380)
• Canada
20 Sep 16
Not offence at all since most members there speak English. This site is English only and there isn't a problem even though there are people on here from all over the world. A
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
20 Sep 16
@happy2beme Thank you for your help. That's true, I just wanted more opinions.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94914)
• United States
20 Sep 16
No I don't think it is offensive.
Just like jobs have rules like Age 16+ or 18+, Or specific requirements.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
20 Sep 16
@infatuatedbby That's true too, everywhere has rules.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
20 Sep 16
@jstory07 Yeah that's how I felt about it as well. I just wanted to make sure before I did it. Thank you! =)
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
20 Sep 16
@LadyDuck I thought it was kind of rude for them to speak in Spanish when we can't understand it but I just wasn't sure if I would be offensive by saying English only.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471456)
• Switzerland
21 Sep 16
@LovingMyBabies You are the Admin and it is normal that you set the rules. If they consider that offensive, they are the first ones to have offended the others writing in a language that they cannot understand.
@pumpkinjam (8767)
• United Kingdom
12 Dec 16
No, I don't think you're being offensive. If you put it nicely, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Like saying that there are people with all different languages in the group so by asking everyone to use English, it makes it universal. You could, if necessary, suggest that the Spanish speakers have a private conversation if they want to speak Spanish but please use English on the page. If it's an issue because their English isn't very good, that might be something to address separately because you wouldn't want to push them out because of language.
@youless (112496)
• Guangzhou, China
23 Sep 16
I think those Spanish women can know English. Perhapas they will make some mistakes in English, but since they joined your group, I think they will try to use English. It is no need to add that rule in my opinion. It is not offensive but not necessary.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
21 Sep 16
no to me people talking in a language I do not now in a setting here in tje US is offensive,. live here learn English and s peak it.
@serubhai1 (203)
• India
10 Dec 16
Of Couse Not ! It's your group for interaction with people who have similar interests. Correct me if I am wrong but how can people interact with others if the language changes from time to time. Your group is screwed if other people come up with other languages. Plus how do you know what people are saying if you don't know the language? Isn't that a big risk? It makes sense to stop it immediately and tell these ladies to interact in English...That's common sense and they should have realized that by themselves. Unfortunately, common sense is becoming somewhat 'uncommon' nowadays.
But don't be rude. Politeness never harms but always helps people.
@Carmelanirel2 (8084)
• United States
21 Sep 16
You said you are a the admin, have you been added as an admin or is it your own group? Becasue if someone else created the group, it would be her call, assuming it is a her who started it.
If this group is your creation, and you don't speak the language, (because after all, you don't want someone posting something inappropriate on the page) then I would make it English only.
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
20 Sep 16
@tampa_girl7 Thank you for your help and opinion. =)
@Ruby3881 (1963)
• Canada
2 Jun 17
I think if you want to be inclusive, you could say that any post not written in English should be accompanied by a translation. It's not offensive to say English only, though. It's about creating an environment where everyone can communicate.
@OKennedy (1130)
• United States
21 Sep 16
It would seem that way although I am sure its not your intent. Maybe its better to ask that everyone translate if using another language other than English so that everyone can partake in the conversation. And by asking i mean making it a rule.This way nobody can be offended nobody is left out and it allows people who are doing it to gossip about the group members to either stop due to not wanting to expose themselves doing things like bullying which then they can be kicked out of the group. im sure its a rule. Also lets people know who is ESL and people will be more tolerant and patient with them possibly help them with constructive criticism to close the language barriers.
