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Poor english in every thread?

by inxie
46 replies
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Hey guys,

It's been a while since I've visited this section of WF, but I noticed very quickly that English has become a second language around here.

I have nothing against people learning a new language, but when 9 out 10 threads that I click on are difficult to understand, I felt compelled to ask about it.

So what happened?
#english #poor #thread
  • Profile picture of the author windrider07
    I notice it too. I'm guessing they are from people of another country? Not sure what the demographics are. Also, their bad English also correlates to how good their replies are. Very simple, short, vague, and not that good.

    eg: How do you rank a site? answer: Post content, then submit google. Then rank your site.

    Me: ......*poker face*
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    Originally Posted by inxie View Post

    So what happened?
    Freelancer bought the forum & their target traffic just happens to be India, add cross site promotion & you get India spam.

    Welcome to progress.
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    • Profile picture of the author windrider07
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      Freelancer bought the forum & their target traffic just happens to be India, add cross site promotion & you get India spam.

      Welcome to progress.
      ah yea, forgot freelancer owns the site now...


      well that explains a lot.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        eg: How do you rank a site? answer: Post content, then submit google. Then rank your site.
        You forgot the best part - the 5 line signature below the one line answer
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  • Profile picture of the author tkhassan
    Originally Posted by inxie View Post

    Hey guys,

    It's been a while since I've visited this section of WF, but I noticed very quickly that English has become a second language around here.

    I have nothing against people learning a new language, but when 9 out 10 threads that I click on are difficult to understand, I felt compelled to ask about it.

    So what happened?
    Because all members on this forum are not Englishmen
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    • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
      Originally Posted by tkhassan View Post

      Because all members on this forum are not Englishmen
      I resent that, I am, so it's not ALL Members.

      "Because not all members on this forum are English Speaking"

      Your welcome.
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      Feel The Power Of The Mark Side

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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        Because all members on this forum are not Englishmen
        I think we are reaching the point where a majority of members participating on this forum are NOT EFL.

        Of the first 5 threads I checked in the Main forum this morning - 3 were bumped from 2012-2013. In one I posted "not a good idea to bump old threads" - there are now MORE posts answering the question asked in 2012 - by a member who has not been here since then....

        The next couple of threads I checked out were ridiculous - a convoluted idea of how newbies could get WSOs and only pay after they were coached by the seller and after they had made money....

        Another was a big plan by someone who posts similar threads frequently - in between complaining how he can't make money - while he promotes his links.

        The majority of new members are from Asian and Eurasian countries. The trend won't change but the number of EFL members will decline.
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        • Profile picture of the author ExRat
          Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

          In one I posted "not a good idea to bump old threads" - there are now MORE posts answering the question asked in 2012 - by a member who has not been here since then..
          Splorf!

          I checked out the reviews forum earlier. It was strange but interesting. You had to check the date when it was originally posted and find the date where the first (older) part conjoins with the second (new) part, in order to make any sense of it.

          It's incredible to find that people who don't know any better are coming across stone age salespages which have been left online and are getting excited and buying 'long tail keyword stuffing' products and stuff to do with the explosion of brand new social media sites......like 'MySpace Annihilation' and 'Usenet friend adder'....

          Hi lanfear67,

          Re: Poor english in every thread?
          Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

          Your welcome.
          Signature


          Roger Davis
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        • Profile picture of the author HN
          Banned
          Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

          I think we are reaching the point where a minority of members participating on this forum are NOT EFL.

          Of the first 5 threads I checked in the Main forum this morning - 3 were bumped from 2012-2013. In one I posted "not a good idea to bump old threads" - there are now MORE posts answering the question asked in 2012 - by a member who has not been here since then....

          The next couple of threads I checked out were ridiculous - a convoluted idea of how newbies could get WSOs and only pay after they were coached by the seller and after they had made money....

          Another was a big plan by someone who posts similar threads frequently - in between complaining how he can't make money - while he promotes his links.

          The majority of new members are from Asian and Eurasian countries. The trend won't change but the number of EFL members will decline.
          Why are you still here? Or rather, what were you doing there -- in the main forum?

          P.S. Eurasia is the combined continental landmass of Europe and Asia. "Asian and Eurasian" countries sounds really silly.
          P.P.S. How about this -- there are a few members from Texas and Unites States?
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          • Profile picture of the author SteveJohnson
            Originally Posted by HN View Post

            Why are you still here? Or rather, what were you doing there -- in the main forum?

            P.S. Eurasia is the combined continental landmass of Europe and Asia. "Asian and Eurasian" countries sounds really silly.
            P.P.S. How about this -- there are a few members from Texas and Unites States?
            Only sounds silly if you say it out loud. Otherwise, you just read it, know what she meant, and go on.

            BTW - its "United States".

            EDIT:

            AND - if you were Texan, that's exactly how you'd say it
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            • Profile picture of the author Zodiax
              This is because India is a very nice country where over 70% of the males want to be computer science majors.


              Pretty soon, Microsoft will have a CFO from India, if it's not replaced by an international Indian operating system.
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              • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
                Originally Posted by Zodiax View Post

                This is because India is a very nice country where over 70% of the males want to be computer science majors.

                Pretty soon, Microsoft will have a CFO from India, if it's not replaced by an international Indian operating system.
                Received this in a newsletter today:

                Google's New CEO -- yet another Indian-born CEO took the helm of a major international firm on Monday. Sundar Pichai (Google) joins an elite group that includes Satya Nadella (Microsoft), Ajay Banga (Mastercard), Indira Nooyi (PepsiCo), Ivan Menezes (Diageo), and Shantanu Narayen (Adobe Systems).
                For the record, I don't have anything against people from India or wherever participating here. I can understand humble and sincere attempts to fit in, to help and be helped, etc. even with limited English skills. My immediate family's mother tongue is not English.

                I, however, despise those of whatever language, that
                • try to take advantage
                • are takers without giving
                • are trouble makers or know-it-alls
                • are liars, scammers, thieves
                • are rude and disrespectful
                • have a give it to me but I'm not going to lift a finger to try and help myself posters
                • are drive by posters (lots of one time posters begging for help that immediately sign off after posting their plea and never return and the good people here are still trying to help weeks later)
                • post nonsense as facts
                • post just for sig exposure (one sign of this is when they refuse to read a thread but they feel the need to answer -- they say they want to help but are short on time but if they really wanted to help they would first understand the entire thread - this forum doesn't need any more half cocked advice)
                Mark
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              • Profile picture of the author bojan92
                Originally Posted by Zodiax View Post

                This is because India is a very nice country where over 70% of the males want to be computer science majors.


                Pretty soon, Microsoft will have a CFO from India, if it's not replaced by an international Indian operating system.
                The reason for that is that the Indian people will work for a smaller salary than the people from America, or any other western country. If you have a business you won't hire someone and pay him maybe 3 or 4 thousand dollars, you will hire someone from India or other country and pay him 400-500 dollars.
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                • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
                  Originally Posted by bojan92 View Post

                  The reason for that is that the Indian people will work for a smaller salary than the people from America, or any other western country. If you have a business you won't hire someone and pay him maybe 3 or 4 thousand dollars, you will hire someone from India or other country and pay him 400-500 dollars.
                  You need to think bigger not smaller. The CEO of Microsoft, an Indian, had a first year salary package worth $84,000,000.

                  Mark
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                  • Profile picture of the author yukon
                    Banned
                    Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post

                    You need to think bigger not smaller. The CEO of Microsoft, an Indian, had a first year salary package worth $84,000,000.

                    Mark
                    You've pretty much pointed out a Powerball winner. If you don't believe me then head on over to the SEO forum, 87% 3rd world junk.

                    I'm sure the MS guy is brilliant, just saying acting like the India spammers/hacks don't exist isn't realistic.
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                    • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
                      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

                      You've pretty much pointed out a Powerball winner. If you don't believe me then head on over to the SEO forum, 87% 3rd world junk.

                      I'm sure the MS guy is brilliant, just saying acting like the India spammers/hacks don't exist isn't realistic.
                      Agreed 100% on all you said here.

                      I am beginning to think, though, that it's not so much the English but the broke mindset and mentality. This causes fake it till you make it syndrome among other things. The post I was answering was about a broke mindset.

                      I'm sick of the Indian and the American and the Chinese and every other blatant and not so blatant spam and pure crap that gets put here. I just try to not pin it on a particular country or region and make broad strokes when some good people such as Dr. Mani lives there too.

                      Mark
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                  • Profile picture of the author TiffLee
                    [DELETED]
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                    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
                      i must practice it on forums, or contacting with people from USA. I am doing my best so everyone can understand what i want to say
                      Practicing is how you improve - and I don't have a problem understanding your posts so you are doing a great job!
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      • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
        Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

        I resent that, I am, so it's not ALL Members.

        "Because not all members on this forum are English Speaking"

        Your welcome.
        Can anyone spot the funny?
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        • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
          Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

          Can anyone spot the funny?
          I've really been holding back the urge to comment on that.
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        • Profile picture of the author ExRat
          Hi Dan,

          Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

          Can anyone spot the funny?
          I was editing and adding it to my last post just as you were posting this. Surely it's deliberate?
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        • Profile picture of the author nettiapina
          Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

          Can anyone spot the funny?
          Indeed. Killed me.

          Well played, lanfear63, well played.

          I'm one of those scary foreigners who don't speak English as their first language, but I guess I sometimes manage to write somewhat coherent sentences.

          I'm mainly being a nuisance on the SEO forum. It's pretty frustrating when you've got no idea what about one third of the posters are trying to say, or if they can understand what you reply back. Try to communicate ideas about some fairly convoluted technical stuff when you're not even sure if the participants can handle the basic vocabulary let alone industry jargon.
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          Who told me this? An ex Google web spam engineer.

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      • Profile picture of the author SMworkcafe
        Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

        I resent that, I am, so it's not ALL Members.

        "Because not all members on this forum are English Speaking"

        Your welcome.
        On behalf of all the participating members here, I'd like to take this opportunity to spot the calligraphy in the above quoted post.

        1. I resent that, I am, so they are not all members

        2. Because not all members on this forum are English speaking

        3. You're welcome

        And, you don't need to thank me for it
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        Cheers!

        - Sana.

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        • Profile picture of the author Kay King
          A person that doesn't use the English language every day can't be on the same level as you guys are, that is a fact. At least we are trying our best to be understood
          That is absolutely right - and it's always been like that and no one has a problem with it.

          Those aren't the people we're poking at - and I think that's clear. I can't post in another language in a way that makes sense to readers - and I have tremendous respect for those who can. Then there are those who will disrupt a forum with constant nonsense posts and threads only to show their sig. If you can't ask a question that makes sense to people reading it - you can't GET answers. If you don't know the language of the platform well enough to understand answers to your questions - there's not point in answering you.

          you don't need to thank me for it
          Wasn't going to
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          • Profile picture of the author SMworkcafe
            Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

            Wasn't going to
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            Cheers!

            - Sana.

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          • Profile picture of the author bojan92
            Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

            That is absolutely right - and it's always been like that and no one has a problem with it.

            Those aren't the people we're poking at - and I think that's clear. I can't post in another language in a way that makes sense to readers - and I have tremendous respect for those who can. Then there are those who will disrupt a forum with constant nonsense posts and threads only to show their sig. If you can't ask a question that makes sense to people reading it - you can't GET answers. If you don't know the language of the platform well enough to understand answers to your questions - there's not point in answering you.
            I understand you. I can't read and understand some threads too. I don't have much contact with people in English so i must practice it on forums, or contacting with people from USA. I am doing my best so everyone can understand what i want to say, i think that is the thing everybody else that isn't a native English speaker should do
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            • Profile picture of the author mirko76
              Originally Posted by bojan92 View Post

              I understand you. I can't read and understand some threads too. I don't have much contact with people in English so i must practice it on forums, or contacting with people from USA. I am doing my best so everyone can understand what i want to say, i think that is the thing everybody else that isn't a native English speaker should do
              Bojan,

              I'm not a native speaker, like you. I even thought I'm lousy in English before I saw this forum. But let me assure you, you're very well above average! Not only can I understand you, your posts actually make sense.

              I'm here since April (this year), and while it's a weird experience, I love this forum. There's just a hell of a lot more dirt around the nuggets than I'm used to on other forums, but the nuggets are there.

              I really don't know what this place was like. But my impression is that Genghis Khan and his troops are riding in, and the old folks are standing their ground while being unbelievably polite. (I know political correctness is not my strong suite)

              And to the "old folks": Please, please, please, keep that going on. I pray that it will pay off eventually.

              Mirko
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  • Profile picture of the author butters
    I bet you spell checked and grammar checked this post twice didn't you!!
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  • Profile picture of the author ExRat
    Hello dear,

    Originally Posted by inxie View Post

    I noticed very quickly that English has become a second language around here.
    If you check out the WSO section, there is an 'insta-translate' firefox addon you can buy which instantly translates Indlish to English using Google translate. The reviews are awesome!

    You can see it working in the first two words of this reply.

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    • Profile picture of the author David Beroff
      Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

      ...[T]here is an 'insta-translate' firefox addon you can buy which instantly translates Indlish to English using Google translate....
      They have a Klingon option, too. Just because something exists doesn't mean it should necessarily be used.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

    Hi Dan,
    I was editing and adding it to my last post just as you were posting this. Surely it's deliberate?
    It was not only deliberate, it's actually a correctly formulated comment from the point of a logical formulation - yet kinda juxtaposed when considering colloquial syntax. In other words - guess who wrote it.

    We've always had a global membership. We just had a more highly educated membership than we do now. Over the decade I've been here, I've helped many members with their English - they were smart as whips and tried really hard to learn because they understood the need for speaking to a global audience. It seems the newbies just haven't "gotten" it or just don't care.

    It might come to a point that Freelance will have to put up separate language forums rather than watch the disintegration of the whole. Right now the forum is filling up with people who don't understand that they're doing themselves more harm than good posting unintelligible gerbish just because it puts out a sig link.

    I have some empathy for those new in here that are using translators to communicate and have no clue how unintelligible they are being - but none for the one line posters that think that getting a sig seen is the key point of being here.
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    • Profile picture of the author HN
      Banned
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      It was not only deliberate, it's actually a correctly formulated ... blah blah blah
      I wouldn't be so certain about it.

      http://www.warriorforum.com/off-topi...l#post10137735

      http://www.warriorforum.com/off-topi...ml#post9900293

      http://www.warriorforum.com/off-topi...ml#post9876725

      Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

      I thought I would put this down here as their are some sharp minds who would like to debate, ridicule, joke or even agree with my reasoning.

      Never knew he was a secondary character at first. Will have to look on You-Tube. Was their another main character early on?

      And before their was the 1948 show, their was "Do Not Adjust Your Set" You will recognize some Python people here mixed in with some other famous and soon to be famous British comedy people.
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    • Profile picture of the author lgibbon
      Banned
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post


      It might come to a point that Freelance will have to put up separate language forums rather than watch the disintegration of the whole. Right now the forum is filling up with people who don't understand that they're doing themselves more harm than good posting unintelligible gerbish just because it puts out a sig link.
      I think we need a forum called "The Childrens Playground" for all this nonsense.
      To be honest, I don't think it is bad English that's the problem,
      no one's English can be that bad.
      It's just a few idiots that like to disrupt, which has been going on for years,
      but the new mods just haven't cottoned on yet.
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  • Profile picture of the author bojan92
    A person that doesn't use the English language every day can't be on the same level as you guys are, that is a fact. At least we are trying our best to be understood It is an international forum, so that is the result
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    • Profile picture of the author HN
      Banned
      Originally Posted by bojan92 View Post

      A person that doesn't use the English language every day can't be on the same level as you guys are, that is a fact.
      That's not true and certainly not a fact.
      English is one of the easiest languages, no declension of nouns, adjectives or pronouns, no conjugation of verbs. There are just 3 ways you can change a regular verb.
      To change - (he/she/it) changes - (is/was) changing - (has/had) changed.
      Compare this to a few hundred possible ways that you can change each root word in Russian or Sanskrit.
      The only language which is easier is Chinese. In Chinese you would say
      He want go home tomorrow.
      He write many letter yesterday.
      It's as if those languages were designed or naturally evolved (degraded) to be used by really dumb, the people who are incapable of learning a real language.
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  • Profile picture of the author liamliam
    It's not the broken English but bot like stupid answers, this forum has become dogshit, are those guys even real?
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      I just came from a thread where people are saying "you need to look at the Rich Jerk videos"...and others are posting "I wouldn't trust someone like that"...

      they are posting in answer to Kelly Felix....helllloooooo.....

      Moral: No one is as well known as some might believe.
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    • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
      Banned
      Originally Posted by liamliam View Post

      It's not the broken English but bot like stupid answers, this forum has become dogshit, are those guys even real?
      You joined in 2015 and have 5 posts. What are you comparing the current state of the forum, to.

      I think possibly you just enjoying making ludicrous posts, so I believe you will be very happy on the WF. Quit complaining and just enjoy!

      Cheers. - Frank
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      • Profile picture of the author Zodiax
        Originally Posted by BigFrank View Post

        You joined in 2015 and have 5 posts. What are you comparing the current state of the forum, to.

        I think possibly you just enjoying making ludicrous posts, so I believe you will be very happy on the WF. Quit complaining and just enjoy!

        Cheers. - Frank
        You are very coddling and compassionate.
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        • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
          Banned
          Originally Posted by Zodiax View Post

          You are very coddling and compassionate.
          The correct IM terminology is, 'warm and fuzzy.'

          Cheers. - Frank
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          • Profile picture of the author Kay King
            The correct IM terminology is, 'warm and fuzzy.'
            Exactly - it's that language problem again...
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      • Profile picture of the author David Beroff
        Originally Posted by BigFrank View Post

        You joined in 2015...
        Four days ago, to be precise.
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      • Profile picture of the author liamliam
        Originally Posted by BigFrank View Post

        You joined in 2015 and have 5 posts. What are you comparing the current state of the forum, to.

        I think possibly you just enjoying making ludicrous posts, so I believe you will be very happy on the WF. Quit complaining and just enjoy!

        Cheers. - Frank
        I've been lurking here for long long time. And admit it, my 5 posts provide more value than 99% of "pagerank is important,you need to build backlinks my frend" posts here. Just like digitalocean the forum has become rubbish because of that bs.
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        • Profile picture of the author Kay King
          I've been lurking here for long long time.
          That's a common claim these days ..."I know I'm new but I've been lurking here for years" - usually followed by "and here is my WSO".
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          • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
            I kind of had to laugh when I saw the recent thread and responses to the polar caps climate change thread by simply thinking of this forum.

            Talk about climate change, and different views of what's going on and why this is happening, and who's right and who's wrong, and different camps of thought, haha!

            All I know is that the peaks or "Kings of the Hill" so to speak have changed, the intelligent advice and thankful and appreciative responses have completely melted away and that the climate around here is freezing cold where it used to be warm and friendly with just a periodic cold front moving through.

            And I'm neither a scientist nor meteorologist or even a politician.


            Terra
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