Before You Start a Flame War
Wealthy Affiliate is an international community. The main language we speak (write) here is English. But not everyone has English as their first language. So sometimes the subtle nuances get lost in the translation.
And because we are not chatting face to face we have no idea of the other person's facial expressions and body language.
Misunderstanding will occur from time to time. It's inevitable.
And even people who have English as their first language may be under stress because things are not going according to plan. And if they're new to this whole online marketing thing they may be unfamiliar with the jargon that goes with it.
They reach out to the community for help. But if they don't explain exactly what the problem is it's hard for others to help them.
Please peeps, we are trying to get help and help each other. Don't let misunderstandings get in the way of that.
I expect everyone to be kind, honest and caring. If you expect any less than that then you will get what you expect.
If someone doesn't agree with you it may be that they don't understand what you are saying. Take a step back and put yourself in their shoes. Expect them to be kind, honest and caring because that's the way they really are.
Recent Comments
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Excellent post Marion.
100% agree.
I have been involved with online groups for about five years and I have to say that when I first started using this medium to communicate (with people all over the world) I found things to be exactly as you wrote. The common cliches that we may use, even in my native English language, may be unfamiliar in various cultures and in different regions. Not only unfamiliar but perhaps even at times disturbing or offensive. I learned very quickly to be sensitive to this BUT still at times finding myself having to explain or clarify something I have said.
But having said that --- It is absolutely amazing that we can communicate without boundaries of time zones and bodies of ocean. Amazing!
Thank you for your post and
your heart for WA expressed here.
Kind regards to you,
Carl
Good Morning Marion,
I fully agree with you, it does not take an effort to be nice and being nice one feels better oneself. I wrote a post Falling out? always time for an "I am Sorry" tackling the same thing as you did. Because of different nationalities, one has to take extra care and sometimes one has to practice a bit of patience.
Greetings from the south of Spain, Taetske
English is not my first language either. When I write about something I do realize it might not be perfect English. Whenever I am not sure about the correct writing I google the group of words and check it in different sites.
Also I try to be as clear as possible. So I double-check, triple-check the text and I am trying to see that text as I never seen it before.
On the other hand, the same procedure I do when I write in my first language.
So as you MarionBlack are saying – “Take a step back and put yourself in their shoes“ -> that is very good approach.
It's a most correct approach- to check and double check what you present to people. Some people unforunately don't do it even once.:)
You are so clever to have another language & still attempt to speak English, which isn't easy.
Bravo!
Jae
Thank you @Flash4 :)
I have been using English as working language for roughly 10 years.
Recently also I read and listen as much as I can, not just for improving the English, but mainly for the fact that most of stuff is written and documented in English I believe.
Besides, English speaking community is also one of the largest in the internet (if not the largest one), right ?
Mike
True. Marion. Many things let lost in translation, and it's up to us to maintain cool and take things in a positive manner. Have seen members coming up with views and counterviews to a particular post/question/comment, and during my relatively short time here in WA, I have been witness to some comments during a "discussion" veering towards that ugly zone. Also, I have seen that when I ask a question, sometimes the answers I get from the members do not always concur. It's up to me to separate the wheat from the chaff and I do not react in a negative manner for having been "misinformed". We should not let negativity overcome us. I think we all have been affected by the negative vibes within the community in the past few days. I think it's time we get over it.
Howard Rheingold, a pioneer of online community, speaking of the same limitations you have mentioned (can't see body language, can't hear voice inflection) advises, "always assume the other person has good intentions." If a person's intentions are not good, that will become apparent soon enough.
There is no need for flame wars. I have great respect for our non-English speaking colleagues, who get their ideas across even when our language fails them.
Thanks for your post.
Yes Marion what you say is Extremely important. It is the Highlite problem of communication not only on the internet but can happen on the phone or face to face. So, if one is offended or takes something in a negative direction one should be very , very circumspect as to what the meaning and INTENTENTIONS were of the person who said them. It is quite possible that some clues were misperceived. Communication is a tricky thing comedians have been making a living off the foibles and mistatements of people for hundreds of years or longer. stawhu ( Scott )
Thank you for that message... I am probably one of the guilty ones as I am a newbie and I know I am not very good at explaining when I need help I will definitely try to do better in the future in explaining exactly what it is I am looking for or an answer to
Excellent point Marion. Since we communicate in American English in our posts and comments, we tend to take it for granted that everyone is on the same language level...and forget that for many of our Community members, English is not their first language.
Thank you for raising our awareness of the importance of exhibiting respect and compassion for others when their communications may seem awkward or manner of expression
grammatically incorrect or even a little strange. The English language is tough enough for us who have grown up in the US, let alone for our world wide international members.
Thanks again, Art
I work with many kids during the day who do not speak English. I struggle to communicate with them in Spanish - which is not my native language.
Native English speakers who do not speak a second language, do not realize how difficult it is to understand all the nuances of a second language. And how easily someone with good intentions can be misunderstood.
Thank you for this. It is a good reminder to step back and maybe ask for some clarity before a complete freakout occurs. At least a few deep breaths
And... it's important to remember to really think hard before clicking that "Add" button.
Thanks again Marion for your wise words.
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Spot on, Marion. Don't forget that online especially people will buy from those that they know, like and trust - but the middle one there 'like' is vitally important. Every interaction you have online with anyone is part of your 'shop window', so every misplaced tweet, facebook post or comment on any comment thread is the equivalent of a one star review on trust pilot. Your personal branding is 24/7 100% of the time. Never forget that whoever you are speaking to online.