|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Sweet Avy, and all--
Yes, it is terrifying, thinking of all the people who will read your words, though I seem to have adjusted to it. (It sure was there, in the beginning--this was and is the only place on the internet where I interact with people, so I had no idea of what to expect.)
But this board, by and large, has evolved to be a pretty safe place to be--most of the time. And it seems that, when discourtesy surfaces, that usually someone comes along with salve for the wound.
As we have said before, this medium does make it even more difficult to assess a speaker's intent than when you can see them or at least hear their voice. It is wonderful, how almost everyone takes special pains to explain that their intent is not to cause offense. Though, just as with
face to face interaction, that can happen. For example, I might offer what I believe someone might be glad to learn, and find that they think I am telling them they were stupid not to have known that.
So far, the majority seem willing to first assume the best, not the worst, and have been (as far as I know) mostly proven right, when they check.
Again--my wholehearted admiration for the bravery of those participants whose first language is not English. Kudos.
I wish I had some of that courage.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 315
enthusiast
|
|
enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 315 |
I thought a lot about your last post, Jackie, wondering if I need courage in posting.
I think no, but I was helped since I first posted few days after the birth of AWADtalk, when we were young and it was not still clear what the Board will eventually become.
Also, I had - and I have even now - the feeling that English was the language of the Board, but that the subject of the Board is larger - words, languages, communication... and everything related to that.
So each one has something valuable to talk about - for me, I imagine, maths and my Latin roots.
And if I make some mistakes, well, I don't really care a lot. And if someone will correct me I will be happy and grateful to have a possibility of learning. But usually no one does, not even privately.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 724
old hand
|
|
OP
old hand
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 724 |
>I thought a lot about your last post, Jackie, wondering if I need courage in posting. I think no.
Me neither.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
...wondering if I need courage in posting. I think no.
Goody, for both of you!  You each have my unending admiration, nonetheless.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 275
enthusiast
|
|
enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 275 |
Fiberbabe>>>>>
Let me offer another possible explanation - many of the countries represented in the listing may have reasonable email capabilities, but the bandwidth is likely prohibitively low to deal with the grandeur of all this. At least that was my experience in both Korea and China - internet access was a pathetic joke by comparison to how we're spoiled in the West. Another factor to consider!
Of all the possible reasons offered on why there is low AWADtalk participation, I believe that the one given by Fiberbabe is the more likely when it comes to Southeast Asia. The number of people owning computers is very low and not many have internet connection. Computer centers are the main sources of internet access and you pay by the hour to use it. I am afraid that what is considered commonplace in America (high-powered computers and internet access) is still a rarity for the majority of citizens in many countries.
chronist
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 38
newbie
|
|
newbie
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 38 |
Hi everyone
I'm one of those folks who only seem to be watching, not in the conversation. Not the a reason really matters but I'll give you the one that currently effects my life. I only connect at work & only get an average of 3 hours a week to be playing on here or anywhere else. What all that means is that I spend almost all that reading postings to stay somewhat current. Right now there are about 1500 new postings for me to read.
I've also found that many times few others are or no-one is logged-on when I am. Anyway thanks allowing me to learn from all of you.
CJ
CJ
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204
Pooh-Bah
|
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204 |
And if I make some mistakes, well, I don't really care a lot. And if someone will correct me I will be happy and grateful to have a possibility of learning. But usually no one does, not even privately.
You don't really write it wrong, emanuela - you just write with an Italian accent - which I, personally, find as charming as I find speech with that same wonderful difference.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 428
addict
|
|
addict
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 428 |
emanuela - you just write with an Italian accent
I have thought the exact same thing, and I wondered if I only noticed it because my Italian great-grandmother spoke (and wrote) similarly. I can also pick up a German accent in writing, because I studied it in High School. It's about word choice and word order, even if there are no grammatical errors. I also think your "accent" is beautiful. Like many people speaking a language other than their first, the unconventional choices and syntax you use are almost poetic at times. I've noticed this in the posts of our other non-native members, too. It's great to have you all aboard.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439 |
Emanuella,
Until I can write in Italian as well as you write in English I will continue in my present way : at the computer amazed at your command of two languages.
You go, girl!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,289
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,289 |
Emanuela, during my time in Europe I noticed that different nationalities tend to have different reactions to strangers speaking their language. The Germans get all stuffy if you make any error and will actually correct you. The French take an error as a personal insult. But the Italians, God bless them, are delighted that anyone would try to speak their language and are completely tolerant of any errors, which they will help you with, but only if you seem to be looking for help, not like the French and Germans who see it as their mission in life to make sure anyone speaking their language does not defile it. Alas, I'm afraid that most English speakers in the U.S. (I don't know from personal experience about English speakers elsewhere) are as intolerant as the frogs and krauts. It has to do, I'm sure, with our well-known provincialism and isolationism. I have often heard low-class US'ns say something like, "Well, if these people can't talk English, and do it right, why don't they go back where they came from?" There's also the fact that, being ignoramuses (ignorami ?), they are not aware that English is an easy language to communicate in at a very basic level if you don't mind its not being elegant, but one of the world's most difficult to master. I don't think there is anyone on AWAD who would think this way, so maybe we all need to form the vanguard in an army to conquer this attitude and pursuade our country[wo]men to embrace all the odd, colorful, fresh and otherwise delightful ways in which non-native English speakers enrich our beloved tongue. And to any who would sneer at your English, there are a couple of Italian expressions made with the hands/fingers, not the mouth, which would be appropriate.
|
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,316
Members9,182
| |
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
|
0 members (),
469
guests, and
0
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|
