Irish Translation Forum

Hi,

I received the following email from a person on the forum. I'm not disclosing their identity, and the email address they gave was invalid, so I think it's OK to post it here.

I am writing to you to complain about the disgraceful behavior and foul language which has of late appeared on your once admirable forum.
I have recommended to my class of adult Irish language learners to
ignore your site until this distasteful conduct is stopped.

I had recommended your forum to my students because I had used it myself to learn Irish.On recent visits I have noticed that the forum is not what it once was and seems now to be inhabited by vulgar thugs and vagabonds who have no interst in the Irish language whatever.

I myself have nothing against friendly banter on the forum, it's what "makes" the forum. However, we have to be mindful of others using the forum for its primary reason: translations of Irish.

I think the "OT:" topics are more open to informal chat, but there's still a limit. Just an example that comes to mind on a non-"OT:" topic was a taunt about playing with one's organ. Mightn't be for everyone's taste.

I'd be interested to hear what others have to say.

Eoin

there was a time when "vulgar thugs and vagabonds" were the only ones who spoke irish, if you believe ascendancy propaganda.

I can see where some people would be offended at some things that are posted, not only things sexual in nature but also the attitudes towards people seeking help. Maybe we should be more mindful of those things in general.

there was a time when "vulgar thugs and vagabonds" were the only ones who spoke irish

like my grandma

While I agree that sometimes things can go a bit far, I'm afraid it's going to be impossible to avoid offending everybody (and since that kind of "organ" joke is one we regularly make in my church choir, it seems to me that whoever objected to that one might be overreacting just a tad). Then there's the fact that we do get REQUESTS to translate what some might consider offensive language. I don't think that, in general, people use more vulgar language here than on any other forum I've frequented.

The one thing I've seen that might be off-putting...or at least confusing...for visitors is that sometimes "banter" will start in the middle of an on-topic thread BEFORE a concensus has been reached on a translation. I know if I were a visitor here, just looking for a simple translation, and I had to wade through pages of quips, inside jokes, etc., just to find that there's been no progress on my translation at all (or no confirmation, after I'd been admonished to wait for confirmation), I'd be rather upset because it would seem to me that chatting was more important to people here than translating.

Redwolf

Redwolf,

you're absolutely right that it's impossible not to offend everyone. By the way, I was pointing out the organ joke from my own opinion. I was just using it as an example of something that may offend.

I'm all for the banter on the forum. It's the life of the forum. I just wanted to bring the complaint to your attention, it's alway good to discuss these things, even if nothing changes

Eoin

I sincerely hope that certain elements will now mock and ridicule Eoin for suggesting we reexamine the banter on the forum, like they did to me when I dared to broach such a topic.

I agree with Redwolf about the translations; our banter can pop up a bit early. But I have no idea what this person is referring to when she says "disgraceful behavior and foul language". From what I can see the only post which may cause offence to someone that is incredibly sensitive is the "Non-swearing swearing" one. And said content would be brought to most people attention by the title of the topic.

If the person is that sensitive, I would guess they have immense difficulty even going to the shops. It's probably hard when there are vulgar thugs and vagabonds going about their daily business too.

These are only words at the end of the day. How offended can one be?

-jp

I guess it pays to be aware, anyway. We should probably at least try to keep things "PG" (although I've never seen anything on here that I wouldn't let my 12-year-old read...OTOH, given that she's been reading as long as she could talk, there's little out there she hasn't read! )

Eoin...would the person who wrote to you be willing to be a bit more specific about what he or she found offensive (without giving away his/her identity, of course)? It would be easier be aware if we had a handle on just what is bothering people.

Redwolf

I think that calling people "vulgar thugs and vagabonds" is as offensive as any of the banter on the Forum, because it's a personal attack.

I wonder who "Offended from Coventry" teaches and how many monks/nuns/saints are in the class.

I like banter. Occasionally I'm uncomfortable with some of it; when that happens, I just quit checking the thread it's on. Overall, though, I think it's OK what goes on here. (Y'know, consenting adults and all that...)

What I don't like is name-calling, ridicule and temper spasms. Wish there was a way to eliminate it, short of asking Eoin to just ban all of us for two days.

I agree with Redwolf (and with others who have made similar points before; I don't remember who-said-what): it does seem that we could use a bit more focus sometimes. Let's get the on-topic discussion done, then go off on all sorts of crazy tangents!

Sorry, JP -- "only words" doesn't cut it. People (including me, including you) can be plenty offended by words. Anyway, it's not "only" the words, but their meanings. For instance, I don't like to hear "f___ you" as an insult, and I wouldn't enjoy "copulate you" any better, even if it is a less-"offensive", more-"refined" term.

Abigeál