Does it really matter that much? It doesn't sound like a bad idea to me, but I'm also not really sure that it's necessary or that it will really help with much.

Last edited by shirokuro (2010 February 14, 6:42 pm)

Grammar Nazi's derailing threads? I've yet to see this (or perhaps I forgot).

kazelee wrote:

Grammar Nazi's derailing threads? I've yet to see this (or perhaps I forgot).

Don't you remember? There was that one time, and the o--, no wait, then there was.... *shrug* I just want to complain about something! Damned nazis putting on airs, trolling our threads. Woe is me. 8'(

I wouldn't mind knowing other peoples' native languages, it will motivate me to offer more English corrections here and there when people make errors in their posts. ^_-

Last edited by nest0r (2010 February 14, 7:55 pm)

I don't know how useful it'd be, but I don't see why not. It's less intrusive than "location", and can always be left blank.

Oddly, there's a few "native" speakers who could do with a bit of trolling to whip their posting into shape...


Edit: 風

shirokuro wrote:

nest0r wrote:

I wouldn't mind knowing other peoples' native languages, it will motivate me to offer more English corrections here and there when people make errors in their posts. ^_-

Not every non-native speaker is necessarily going to want corrections. If people are looking for corrections, they can go to sites like Lang-8.

There's also the problem that people sometimes give poor, incomplete, or inaccurate corrections. When done in private, the recipient has no way to verify the accuracy or calibre of the corrections with which they have been provided. On the other hand, if the corrections are done within a thread, it could lead to the thread getting derailed by discussions about the corrections.

Nukemarine wrote:

Second, if some is coming on asking for advice, there is the slight chance that knowing his/her first language can get the right person to give advice in native terms if necessary.

This is a good point, but a person can always just mention what her native tongue is in her post, or other people can ask if they notice that the person is having trouble expressing herself in English.

I was joking, but so long as we're writing lengthy, semi-serious ruminations for slight reasons... I could really care less about the grammar of others. But not long ago, I made two jokes in a row, the first because I think it's funny how sometimes we can't edit our subject lines, so I'm always fearful of typos, so that I'd be forced to read my own mistake as long as the thread remained in the 24hr section. Someone's subject line was messed up, so I 'peeved out' (slight pun there) as an homage to my own neurosis. The second time I was 'havin' a laugh' with a forum regular. Unfortunately both threads included someone new to the forum who apparently decided to colour the entire forum with sweeping accusations of being filled with grammar nazis, and they derailed the thread to hold forth on the evils of this and that, so I decided to defend grammar corrections, even though I don't think it's a big deal either way.

kazelee wrote:

You can't edit subject lines? Since when?

Up until my most recent article-posting, if I edited a post (the body) or someone replied to it, then I was locked out of editing the subject line. Though the other day (my sense of time is awry) I edited the body of my post, saved it, and then was still able to edit the subject, so perhaps it's fixed? I felt quite smug.

The japanesepage forums have 'native language' in the profile (as a mandatory component!) and it seems to work out OK there.

I agree with liosama 110%.

Not convinced yet.

How about adding our Flame Warrior profile?

IceCream wrote:

do i get bonus points for being able to identify with more than half of them?　；）

psshht I beat you before we even clicked on the link ice. The only thing I'm *not* is an admin.

Maybe we could have "speaks" and "studying".
I don't think "from" is useful for anyone.