From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Knopp, Germany

English as a Second Language

In stead of downing growers that do not understand your meaning of a word you should just accept that they mean well.

If you post things in English (not always the English the whole world understands, I know may be too much for you) that is in the USA slang it will only lead to problems that never existed.

Please read all posts again and don't assume that the person posting them is from the states or canada.

They also want to belong to your (not mine, i have given up) growing community.

Blast me WiZ, I don't give a Wiz......

owen

11/23/2011 4:06:44 PM

Sourthern Utah

Owen... well stated.. i still have a bit of problem as well, just from different part of this country.. but i believe it is all meant with the best intentions,, most of the time
Curt

11/23/2011 4:18:28 PM

Western Wisconsin

There are a few people on this sight that need to think just a little bit before they make their knee jerk response to a post that they cannot erase or take back.

11/23/2011 5:18:23 PM

Lloydminster/AB

Well I've read all the posts over and have come to the conclusion that some people's English translation software has an id10t error. it's either that or the error is on the other side of the keyboard.

11/23/2011 11:52:50 PM

Netherlands

I have taught ESL for 13 years, at high school level but also to adults. Like Owen stated, it is very difficult for a learner to find the right words to express their feelings and intentions which causes them to express themselves in a rather blunt fashion in which only the main message comes across. Translation machines are no help to this matter.

At the same time, there are non-English speakers (and of course English speakers as well) which themselves are very blunt with all the other associated characteristics. This has nothing to do with their language deficiency at all.

I would also like to agree with Owen about the English proficiency of the English speakers themselves. There are a lot of English speaking people that use the message board, who are not particularly skilled in writing their own language. I have seen better English from some European growers than from some English speaking growers. If a European uses a translation program on that English, who knows what will come out. As a teacher I have caught quite a few students using translation programs instead of trying themselves, and you can have quite a laugh at what the computer produces.

I hope John doesn't mind me using his message as an example (I agree with his statement). He spells 'sight' incorrectly. He means 'site'. Not a problem for native (ie English) speakers. But for a foreigner, it has quite a different meaning. Somebody using a translation machine in a foreign language might think it is a medical message involving eyes and knee spasms which cannot be reversed...LOL

In a global community, I think it is necessary for all sides to pay more attention to their language. Not only what they say, but the letters they use to say it... me included.

11/24/2011 4:06:39 AM

Cologne Brescia Italy

I have to stay mute...LOL I never study english, but I have to thanks this site if I have learned the bit english I know, bad or good.

11/24/2011 4:59:05 AM

Germany

Sergio, congratulations! For posts written by someone who hasn´t had any English at school your entries are fine to read and to understand.
Although it´s hard to cope with some local slang used in various posts, it´s just a challenge for us, both for us foreigners and for the others (the English lingual people who also scratch their sculp when reading some sort of slang).

11/24/2011 5:53:23 AM

Germany

...in addition to translation software, the one or another look into an "urban dictionary" (also available on the internet) sometimes reveals surprising insights and makes it even greater fun to read some of the slang loaded posts.

11/24/2011 5:55:37 AM

Finland/Estonia, Island of Saaremaa

My 2 cents:

I'm not a native in English as you can tell. This however, is a message board and communication forum in English. I think it is not fair to ask people to use simple language as the richness is part of communication in general. It is just so that we who are not so proficient in this language, have sometimes to check unknown words, phrases and idioms from the dictionaries, which are very easy to find in the internet. And sometimes you just have to accept that you do not get all the twists and flavours of the message.

In a big community like this (or any community whether face-2-face or through media) you have a certain code developed between the users. Like always, the more you have genuinely contributed the more you are "allowed". If you jump in from nowhere showing attitudes, there is a chance that you will get your wrist slapped. Making it worse, if you use some translators to participate these kind of internet discussions, you are jeopardizing your message in a big way. At least then you should simplify the original language to minimize "funny" errors. In case one is dependent on the translations from the original text to your own language, I would say better mainly try to follow the discussion to avoid total confusion. Some level of self criticism tends to be healthy.

11/24/2011 6:48:39 AM

Connecticut

I think we all have to relax on this. Of course less than text book English may lead to misunderstandings from ESL growers but these are the risks of international communications.
I sometimes post on a different board (not Pumpkins) that has people from all over the world. Google translate is often called “Giggle translate” because of the mistakes the program makes. If a message is not exactly correct just strike it up to something being lost in translation.
The US is a huge country. It is over twice the size of the EU in land size. This combined with the fact that Americans are from all over the world has led to many regional differences in the “English” language. These differences can’t easily be taught in a text book that may be referenced by an ESL.

11/24/2011 8:58:38 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Big O,

I wont blast you because for the most part... life iZ too short not to have fun... I have fun with wordZ, a passion for growing both inside and out.... I am afraid of NO one, and only afraid of the C word, And will live with the cardZ im dealt. You can look at the glass being half empty or half full,
Laugf at my plightZ pleaZe, insult me funny hat if you want...and judge me to be illiterate....
Aint...we are all Corporeal life formZ on this mud ball anyWise! And soon to be composted.

My grandma's mom came from Germany, My Nana from Spain, My Pompo's Dad from Yugoslavia, My Granpa DAD, my moms side, Yes,,,from Austria..... So now U know, WiZ iZ a mutt! and wearZ hiZ emotionZ on hiZ sleeve...thatZ me!
Me G parentZ ...all spoke there native languages and I loved to listen to them..and I RESPECT them that! SeemZ to me, you do well enough with your keyboard, Yes I use tranZlators too...so no hard feelingZ Owen you got to laugh more...

LetZ move on from here Good Day Sir,
I gotta get ready.... For VEGAS and the BIG Show!

11/24/2011 10:49:11 AM

Omaha, Ne.

Thanks to all of you. I didn't feel offended or attacked by anything all of you just posted, even in translation.

11/24/2011 11:42:30 AM

Knopp, Germany

"LetZ move on from here Good Day Sir"

have a great thanks giving WiZ. i never mean harm, but my fingers don't know that. my humble attempts at ensuring equality for all are always misunderstood.

hope you grow a new pb next year.

owen

11/24/2011 12:18:17 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Owen... Right On!...You grow a PB as well my friend..

11/24/2011 1:03:45 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Owen, I hate to disagree, but I will!!!...I do NOT think that your attempts, at ensuring equaltiy for all, have been mistaken... have to tell you that yer fingers not knowing, do not stop us from understanding that you mean the best for us all!!! Thanks again to, IMHO...the top of the crop from over the pond!!!! Owen, ROCKS!!!!!!! Peace, Wayne

11/26/2011 4:40:12 AM