Re: [tdf-discuss] Multilingualism and discussions

Le 2010-10-19 11:17, Jean-Christophe Helary a écrit :
> On 20 oct. 10, at 00:05, Marc Paré wrote:
>
> > I was under the impression that we were all in agreement, that the "lingua franca" of the mailists 
> > is English and that localized mailists were to encourage users to contribute in their own language.
>
> I think that is a mistaken view of the issues at hand.
>
> There should be English specific lists so that English speakers can contribute in English to 
> whatever issue they have.
>
> We need to have strict formal equality between linguistic communities for the TDF/LibO to be really 
> based on a democratic process.
>
> Then, there should be global lists where global discussions take place. Such lists would obviously 
> gather a less important number of involved people and could be a place where multilingual 
> information is exchanged. Sanitizing everything through English when most contributors are not 
> English natives is not a realistic approach.
>
> > Therefore, we should then make sure that information/issues from the localized mailists is passed 
> > on to the main English mailist through either the mailist moderator or some ambassador/spokesperson 
> > to the localized mailists to assure the flow of information to the SC or appropriate decision 
> > making group.
>
> This is totally unrealistic and reduces the contribution of non English speakers to the filter of 
> their spokeperson when no filtering takes place for English speakers.
>
> > Maybe we should work on improving the process of the reporting of localized groups' concerns to the 
> > main English mailists.
>
> No. The problem is to ensure that there is a good signal/noise ratio on supposedly global lists and 
> whatever S/N ratio on language specific lists.
>
> We do not have to reproduce the English based corporate structure of Sun/Oracle in TDF. This is a 
> thing of the past.
>
>
>
>
> Jean-Christophe Helary
> ----------------------------------------
> fun: http://mac4translators.blogspot.com
> work: http://www.doublet.jp (ja/en>  fr)
> tweets: http://twitter.com/brandelune

Hmmm... then, the fact remains that a multilingual mailist model will 
always be difficult to accomplish. The amount of energy spent on 
translating from one language to another would certainly affect the 
overall effectiveness of the group. Satisfying everyone will be difficult.

Using one's common sense, using a language that is common to all groups 
should be the defining factor here. The english language fits all of the 
requirements of a unifying, common language. You only need to look at 
larger international groups where if they meet the common communication 
language is English -- UN and its affiliates etc. Yes they do provide 
translation but the language by default for all their organisation is 
the English language (lingua franca).

Trying to satisfy every language possible on earth in discussion groups, 
IMHO is unrealistic. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation, is, 
that for any large international group, the participating members need 
to find a working language to make their organisation work at its best. 
At this point in time, it is English. Maybe in the future is will be 
Cantonese. It is all a matter of convenience.

BTW ... my mother tongue is French (Canadian)

Marc


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