Is it ok if we speak in dutch about the dutch elections and political issues?

Robert Plomp · October 17, 2002, 07:46

In the OT I'm talking with Saint Marcus about the dutch political situation and all that. We're doing it in english, but it seems like not much people who do not speak dutch are very interested (which nobody can't be blamed for)

Is it ok if we open dutch threads to discuss these issues?

Skanky Burns · October 17, 2002, 07:48

It is probably ok. The Finnish have their own thread, so why not the Dutch?

Rasbelin · October 17, 2002, 07:52

I agree that the Dutch are allowed to speak Dutch in that thread. Let's also remember that there's even a "Spanish only" forum on Poly, so one thread with Dutch chatter can't harm anyone.

Just go ahead, CyberShy.

Rasbelin · October 17, 2002, 07:56

Oh, and that reminds me that there was a 80% Greek thread recently in the Civ III forum, so talking Dutch about Dutch politics is more like 100% understandable and entitled, IMHO.

Dauphin · October 17, 2002, 08:15

Perhaps if more foreign languages were used I would get better at them, just as non-native English speakers have done.

Please do people.

*Scurries off to Spanish section for first time*

Zopperoni · October 17, 2002, 09:25

Well, in the thread you're referring to, several people have replied showing interest and preference to keep it in English. Therefore, I think it is best we keep matters in English in that particular thread.

However, I see no harm in starting a separate "Hollandi-threadi", since there's been enough "gespreksstof" these past few weeks.

Robert Plomp · October 17, 2002, 10:41

@Zopperoni:

it's true, there is interest about general politics in The Netherlands, but I think most non-dutch will stop showing interest when we start to talk about the different parties, programs and all that

Alex · October 17, 2002, 10:59

It depends on the number of speakers of that specific language that are active in the forums. There seems to be a pretty good number of dutch speakers around, so I guess it is ok.

I'd have problems if I tried to open a thread in Portuguese.

Hueij · October 17, 2002, 13:56

Quote:

I'd have problems if I tried to open a thread in Portuguese.

Why? If the Finns (Fins?) can have their Suomi-babble I think the Portuguese are entitled to a thread of their own...

That being said, I am totally against a Dutch thread about Dutch politics. I want Zopski's and Cybers' right wing stances to be exposed to the whole world, so everyone can see how dangerous these two are...

Grapje natuurlijk :lachend uit luid: oftewel :lul:

Zopperoni · October 17, 2002, 14:55

Quote:

Originally posted by Hueij

Quote:

I'd have problems if I tried to open a thread in Portuguese.

Why? If the Finns (Fins?) can have their Suomi-babble I think the Portuguese are entitled to a thread of their own...

Except that there aren't that many Portuguese around.

Quote:

Grapje natuurlijk :lachend uit luid: oftewel :lul:

:lul:

Ming · October 17, 2002, 14:59

Quote:

Originally posted by Rasbelin
I agree that the Dutch are allowed to speak Dutch in that thread. Let's also remember that there's even a "Spanish only" forum on Poly, so one thread with Dutch chatter can't harm anyone.

Just go ahead, CyberShy.

I wouldn't recommend listening to somebody who is in no position to set policy for Apolyton... and in particular the OTF.

Generally, posts in other languages are NOT allowed due to the problems with moderating them.

The Finnish thread (like the coffee shop) was the first succesful one, and has been allowed to continue as an exception to the rule since they were the first. Plus, some nice people are willing to bring problems in that thread to my attention.

As far as the Spanish Forum, that it is a Hosted Site Forum and only makes sense to allow the use of Spanish...

In the past... I've let a few other non english threads go for a period, but have ended up closing them due to the breaking of site posting rules... or spamming.

I see no reason why you can't discuss the Dutch elections in English. If you want to do it in Dutch, I'm sure there are many other sites where you can do so.

ixnay · October 17, 2002, 16:26

Solution: Start a Dutch Civilization Site and get it hosted by apolyton. Then you'll have your own forum.

Hueij · October 17, 2002, 16:43

Quote:

I see no reason why you can't discuss the Dutch elections in English.

OMG... Afraid you can't moderate them... If it wasn't so sad I would be rolling on the floor. Oh well, if you see every poster as a spammer/flamer, so be it. I think I'll ask Markos for a :lul: smilie...

Ming · October 17, 2002, 16:55

It's unfortunate that some people in the past have used another language to get around the rules of this site. They are the sad ones...

Hueij · October 17, 2002, 17:06

So you deny everyone else the right to start a thread in his/her own language because some people misused that right in the past? You might as well close the OTF then, people have been trying to get around the rules there all the time, in English.

And I never saw any Dutch poster misbehave himself in the nearly three and a half years I hang around in here. I am convinced that all of us are mature enough to abide by the rules...

God, I'm having a discussion with Ming about moderating policy. We live in strange times...

Ming · October 17, 2002, 17:13

It's just not in the past... People continue to use other languages to break the rules... just as they do in English. Childish behavior to say the least... but it still happens. At least in English, we can catch it faster.

This is an English Speaking Forum... again, I see no reason why you can't have the discussion in English.

Dauphin · October 17, 2002, 17:16

Ming, just learn Dutch.

Hueij · October 17, 2002, 17:20

Which brings us back to the arguments you use for allowing the Suomi threads...

Dauphin · October 17, 2002, 17:23

It does appear to be a two tier system.

Ming · October 17, 2002, 17:27

Nahh... just the old grandfather clause... they were first, before the rule was put in place.

So feel free to complain all you want... Apolyton has never been a democracy...

MarkG · October 17, 2002, 17:38

Quote:

So you deny everyone else the right to start a thread in his/her own language because some people misused that right in the past?

yeap, it's just like civilized countries banning guns cause some people will misuse them

Zopperoni · October 17, 2002, 17:46

...but the guys who had a gun before the ban, can bang on

Hueij · October 17, 2002, 17:54

Quote:

So feel free to complain all you want... Apolyton has never been a democracy...

Hm, seems my first reaction to this seems to got lost somewhere in cyberspace so I give the short version here: Ming, that is the lamest excuse you can come up with

Saint Marcus · October 17, 2002, 17:55

this is absolute rubbish. prohibiting the use of foreign languages other than finnish and english...you guys are threading on dangerous grounds with this one.

Dauphin · October 17, 2002, 17:56

OK, so what is the restriction on use of foreign languages? Will someone be penalised for a 'foreign' discussion within a thread?

More importantly will I be penalised for using English slang, such as "Got to my mickey, found me way up the apples, put on me whistle and the bloody dog went. It was me trouble telling me to fetch the teapots" or other English colloquialisms that you can't understand?

Ming · October 17, 2002, 17:57

You are welcome to your opinion... as lame as it is

When you became a member of this site, you agreed to follow the rules. This just happens to be one of the rules. Deal with it. If you don't like the rules, you can always post somewhere else

Ming · October 17, 2002, 17:58

Quote:

Originally posted by Saint Marcus
this is absolute rubbish. prohibiting the use of foreign languages other than finnish and english...you guys are threading on dangerous grounds with this one.

And what dangerous grounds are those. Again... If you don't like the rules... go elsewhere... your choice...

Saint Marcus · October 17, 2002, 17:59

let's all start speaking singlish then.

Saint Marcus · October 17, 2002, 18:01

Quote:

And what dangerous grounds are those. Again... If you don't like the rules... go elsewhere... your choice...

I can understand why you want english as an official language, but it's extremely unfair finnish is allowed but dutch/german/french/spanish/chinese/hebrew isn't.

also note that numerous israeli posters have made posts in hebrew from time to time.

Ming · October 17, 2002, 18:08

And people speak in other languages on other occasions as well. It happens... just like people getting around the censors...

But I have a tip for your SM... Life isn't fair. So deal with it. Again... follow the rules YOU agreed to when you became a member... or pay the penality. Your choice