PlaymoFriends
General => News => Topic started by: Richard on March 02, 2009, 15:24:21
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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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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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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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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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: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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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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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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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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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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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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Richard, have you been seeing miscommunication in here that i am unaware of ???
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Richard, have you been seeing miscommunication in here that i am unaware of ???
I see nothing ... 8-)
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:2c: I agree with Sylvia concerning this topic.
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I agree with Sylvia and Gordon.
I would terribly annoyed if someone started to re-write my "work" even though it might be better grammatically. If it was utterly gibberish, I wouldn't mind if someone -privately- offered her or his assistance; but then the decision would be mine.
Besides; there's another (interesting) point. We're supposed to be responsible for everything we write (wich I try to adhere to) but how can you be held responsible for something that was altered ???
Sounds shady to me at least ...
I would like to keep it as it is. If there are problems we can push the spelling-check-button, ask another forummember to help out or offer our assistance (through e-mail or PM).
Just my own 0.01 worth ...
Bogro
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In just the short period of time since this thread has started, I personally have seen a decrease of misspelled words, & better written posts throughout the forum. Maybe the call to members to slow down, utilize the spell check option, proof read themselves, & consider others needs has had a positive impact without having to assign overseers. To everyone who has taken it upon themselves to make this forum a better place, job well done!
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Me tooo Bil I tink we reed betr now :lol:
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Me tooo Bil I tink we reed betr now :lol:
:lol:
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Me tooo Bil I tink we reed betr now :lol:
tee hee! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Interestingly enough, the human brain can compensate for most errors anyways (see example here:http://photoblog.mrjmw.com/can-your-brain-read-this/ ) and since this is such a friendly group, I'm sure that any language issues can be overcome! :yup:
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tee hee! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Interestingly enough, the human brain can compensate for most errors anyways (see example here:http://photoblog.mrjmw.com/can-your-brain-read-this/ ) and since this is such a friendly group, I'm sure that any language issues can be overcome! :yup:
That is really cool, Nicki - thanks for the link! 8-)
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Very interesting Nicki, thank you!
Gepetto
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Do we need a Resident Pedant? (or maybe two?) ... ;)
What is a "resident pedant"?
(I'm not joking, this is a serious meant question; I really do not know and my dictionary does not give any meaningful answer to me ... ???)
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:hmm: i think richard has a hiden objective - he wants to change this forum's official language to esperanto (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanto).
:P would this be such a "freneza" idea?
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[...] to esperanto (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanto).
"is the most widely spoken constructed international auxiliary language in the world." -- this sounds interesting. Isn't Esperanto the only constructed international auxiliary language in the world?!? BTW I never met somebody who spoke it ... :hmm:
Still kept in nescience -- can anybody enlight me and rescue me from stupidity by telling me shortly please what a "resident pedant" is?
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What is a "resident pedant"?
(I'm not joking, this is a serious meant question; I really do not know and my dictionary does not give any meaningful answer to me ... ???)
A resident is someone who lives in a particular place. For example, you are a resident of Southern Germany. A pendant is someone who is always on the lookout for errors made by others in writing or speech and then pointing out what they should have written or said. So a resident pedant would be a PF member with the job of checking people's posts for errors and then either correcting them or saying how they should be corrected. Now I'm not sure that's what Richard really meant. What he probably intended was someone having the job of making clear what people had said in posts which were unclear because of, say, mistypes or spelling errors.
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What he probably intended was someone having the job of making clear what people had said in posts which were unclear because of, say, mistypes or spelling errors.
or complete lack of punctuation i never met anyone who spoke esperanto or even claimed a working knowledge of it lol
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Now I'm not sure that's what Richard really meant. What he probably intended was someone having the job of making clear what people had said in posts which were unclear because of, say, mistypes or spelling errors.
Wait a minute...if you're not sure what Richard who speaks english meant, how is anyone able to assume the role of RP? We are not even sure what Richard meant and are now venturing to guess his probable intention!
I love the irony! :lol:
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or complete lack of punctuation i never met anyone who spoke esperanto or even claimed a working knowledge of it lol
The exam board I used to work for offered a GCSE in Esperanto so I met one or two people who spoke, read and wrote Esperanto. The number of entries was very small each year and tended to be people who had already passed the exam but were now taking it again to try and improve their grade. Presumably, once they'd reached Grade a (the top grade in those days, there was no A*) they gave up.
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tee hee! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Interestingly enough, the human brain can compensate for most errors anyways (see example here:http://photoblog.mrjmw.com/can-your-brain-read-this/ ) and since this is such a friendly group, I'm sure that any language issues can be overcome! :yup:
If I only had a brain....! Which my wife said is saturated with Playmobil, & has warped mine beyond repair, something about addition,....did I spell everything OK?, how's my grammar?, now I'm Paranoid!!
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Wait a minute...if you're not sure what Richard who speaks english meant, how is anyone able to assume the role of RP? We are not even sure what Richard meant and are now venturing to guess his probable intention!
I love the irony! :lol:
Yes, you're quite right - one of the problems of trying to have a conversation in written form!
Usually, if you call someone a pedant you mean that they are complaining and criticising over minor, unimportant things which do not actually make any difference to the meaning or clarity of what is being written or said. For example, to say "This box is different to that one" is just as understandable as to say "This box is different from that one", but a pedant would argue that the first sentence is wrong because you should always say "different from". Now, I'm sure Richard wasn't looking for people to make comments or changes like that. Maybe he was really meaning an editor or redactor.
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Me tooo Bil I tink we reed betr now :lol:
vARY funne rAS! i fill bedder awe reddy :lol:! You smarty britches :P!
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or complete lack of punctuation i never met anyone who spoke esperanto or even claimed a working knowledge of it lol
LOL--I don't have a problem with the "stream of consciousness" style of writing...I just end up reading REALLY fast! :lol:
If I only had a brain....! Which my wife said is saturated with Playmobil, & has warped mine beyond repair, something about addition,....did I spell everything OK?, how's my grammar?, now I'm Paranoid!!
Hmmm...let's see...I think you may have a comma or two out of place, but maybe we'll let that slide, just this one time! Tee hee hee! :P
My husband thinks I'm obsessed with Playmo too! I say there are worse things one could be addicted to! :yup: :yup:
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My husband thinks I'm obsessed with Playmo too! I say there are worse things one could be addicted to! :yup: :yup:
Yes could you imagine being addicted to Legos :omg: the horror
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Yes could you imagine being addicted to Legos :omg: the horror
Oh, that is too true! (Anyone who's ever wandered the halls at 3am searching for a glass of water only to step on one of those plastic squares from...you know where...will surely attest to this!) :lol: :lol:
My kids do like to build with them, but thankfully it's not an addiction at our house!!
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Thanks Gordon for the explanation. I found the single words in my dictionary (although each with several meaning) but I didn't get the whole picture, not knowing if this construction is a special idiom with a different meaning.
I think small mistakes actually can be corrected on the fly by the brain, but without any punctation it's really more hard to get the sense ... at least for me.
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A resident is someone who lives in a particular place. For example, you are a resident of Southern Germany. A pendant is someone who is always on the lookout for errors made by others in writing or speech and then pointing out what they should have written or said. So a resident pedant would be a PF member with the job of checking people's posts for errors and then either correcting them or saying how they should be corrected. Now I'm not sure that's what Richard really meant. What he probably intended was someone having the job of making clear what people had said in posts which were unclear because of, say, mistypes or spelling errors.
quite a good explanation, Gordon :yup:
:hmm: to be honest - I don't know (meaning: I have some doubts about that) whether Richards question is/was meant to be (that) serious ...
maybe he just wanted to point out that a correct grammar and punctuation in every posting would lead to a better understanding of the nonsense we tend to write :lol: (for non-english-speakers ... or mothertonguers alike :P) ...
... or maybe he already spotted some sort of a "resident pedant" at PF and wanted to give a somehow disguised advice in that direction ... :hmm:
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My husband thinks I'm obsessed with Playmo too! I say there are worse things one could be addicted to! :yup: :yup:
Been there, done that, got that Tee shirt! This is ugly on my face now, not stupid! At least I have something to show for this addition, not just a severe headache, or the shakes ;)! But come to think of it, I'm still broke though :lol:!
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Been there, done that, got that Tee shirt! This is ugly on my face now, not stupid! At least I have something to show for this addition, not just a severe headache, or the shakes ;)! But come to think of it, I'm still broke though :lol:!
LOL--you're right...the end result on the wallet is the same! (But at least you COULD make your money back on ebay...assuming you could ever bear to part with your "investment"!!) :yup: :lol:
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LOL--you're right...the end result on the wallet is the same! (But at least you COULD make your money back on ebay...assuming you could ever bear to part with your "investment"!!) :yup: :lol:
Is that not the same thing every addict says :lol: Oh i could make some $$ back and still have some for me :lol:
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Is that not the same thing every addict says :lol: Oh i could make some $$ back and still have some for me :lol:
Ok, Ok...Hi....my name is Nicole.....and I'm a Playmo addict......
:lol: :lol: :lol:
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I sure am glad I am normal! 0) 0)
Gepetto
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Wow, that is great, who every can say about himself that he is normal ;D
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Hey! we might use Latin as an international language!!! :yup:
::)
:-[ Ok ... I was worth trying.
;D
Gus
:blackhair:
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Saying it is easy, convincing other people it is true is the hard part! 8}
Gepetto