Clarification regarding use of non-English language

[Alleniana]

So, having trawled the OSRS, searched through stickies, old topics, the FAQ and more, it seems I can't find any information on the modly stance on the usage of languages other than English on NS. I'd like to ask whether it's ok to have prolonged discussions, or perhaps even entire regions or threads in which the main language in use is not English; perhaps Latin or Chinese or something. Would this constitute spam, or purposely misleading people or the like? Is there any issue with modly decisions being made on stuff posted in the other language (I understand it might be inconvenient)?

If there's already info or something on this, I'd appreciate a link. Otherwise, it'd be great if a mod could explain the status of languages other than English on the forums. Thanks in advance.

[Reploid Productions]

It's not uncommon for language-specific regions to exist, nor is it against the rules, and there are a handful of specific-language threads over in the General forum. In most other day-to-day usage though, this is an English-speaking website, and someone posting in other languages all over the place and not just in one of those specific situations is liable to get swatted, since posting something that most of the userbase can't read makes it basically spam.

[Cora II]

Rep. & Mods

Sincere question. How moderation would handle situations if/when someone would use his/hers own native language (or third language/some other language) for clarification purposes in otherwise English written Forum comments?

Personally I have very often serious difficulties find right terms and a way to write in English what I would really want to say and in such situations few lines in Finnish could clarify my message maybe considerably, particularly for showing what is a intended 'tone' and 'style' of the message.

Edit/Add: Personally my most biggest problems in this game has been always related to bad self esteem what comes to contradiction between skills in English and what would have been my intended meaning of my comments. I've been warned at least 3 time due use of terms in wrong context and with wrong tone and all of those cases that was not my intention. Possibility use Finnish 'meta text' could be helpful for overcoming problems related to these things.

That would be so probably also for many other non-english players with their corresponding mother tonques.

[Alleniana]

Ah, alright. So would a thread in General designated specifically for the purpose of having speakers of a specific language converse in it would be fine, or would it be considered a chat thread like TET? And also, a side question, if someone were to be flaming or trolling in a different language, how would the mods understand what they're doing, should it be reported?

[Farnhamia]

Ah, alright. So would a thread in General designated specifically for the purpose of having speakers of a specific language converse in it would be fine, or would it be considered a chat thread like TET? And also, a side question, if someone were to be flaming or trolling in a different language, how would the mods understand what they're doing, should it be reported?

There are several non-English threads already, Spanish, Finnish and Dutch (in its seventh iteration) come to mind right away. They are chat threads but we make that exception when there is enough interest. You should ask in Moderation for permission to start a new one, though.

As for flaming and trolling in other languages than English, if you understand what's being said, report it. The Moderation team is located world-wide and we can usually find someone to give us a decent translation. Rules violations are rules violation no matter how they're expressed.

I would advise against extended conversations in other languages in an English discussion thread, however. A few posts in a short exchange are not a problem but a side conversations that very few others can understand are.

[Alleniana]

Ah, alright. So would a thread in General designated specifically for the purpose of having speakers of a specific language converse in it would be fine, or would it be considered a chat thread like TET? And also, a side question, if someone were to be flaming or trolling in a different language, how would the mods understand what they're doing, should it be reported?

There are several non-English threads already, Spanish, Finnish and Dutch (in its seventh iteration) come to mind right away. They are chat threads but we make that exception when there is enough interest. You should ask in Moderation for permission to start a new one, though.

As for flaming and trolling in other languages than English, if you understand what's being said, report it. The Moderation team is located world-wide and we can usually find someone to give us a decent translation. Rules violations are rules violation no matter how they're expressed.

I would advise against extended conversations in other languages in an English discussion thread, however. A few posts in a short exchange are not a problem but a side conversations that very few others can understand are.

Alright, thanks for clarification. Speaking of permission, would I be able to ask to start a Latin one?

[Cora II]

Thanks.

There could be also totally new Sub-forum "Non-English" in General Discussion for Non-english threads.

[Alleniana]

Thanks.

There could be also totally new Sub-forum "Non-English" in General Discussion for Non-english threads.

I frankly doubt there'd be enough traffic; I mean, I hadn't even heard of separate-language threads.

[The Blaatschapen]

Rep. & Mods

Sincere question. How moderation would handle situations if/when someone would use his/hers own native language (or third language/some other language) for clarification purposes in otherwise English written Forum comments?

Personally I have very often serious difficulties find right terms and a way to write in English what I would really want to say and in such situations few lines in Finnish could clarify my message maybe considerably, particularly for showing what is a intended 'tone' and 'style' of the message.

Edit/Add: Personally my most biggest problems in this game has been always related to bad self esteem what comes to contradiction between skills in English and what would have been my intended meaning of my comments. I've been warned at least 3 time due use of terms in wrong context and with wrong tone and all of those cases that was not my intention. Possibility use Finnish 'meta text' could be helpful for overcoming problems related to these things.

That would be so probably also for many other non-english players with their corresponding mother tonques.

I would not consider your Finnish meta-text to be helpful, except in a thread related to Finnish language.

If you have doubts about your use of the English language, I am sure that you can discuss with someone (not me, since I'm also non-native; but perhaps one of your fellow region mates) whether something is right to say.

I can also recommend taking up English classes to improve your English, if you really feel this is enough of a problem to actually do something about it in a structural manner.

In the end, you are responsible for your own posts. And personally, I don't see "not knowing English well" is a valid excuse for rule breaking, since one can learn and improve their English. I'm sure there are various online and offline resources available for it. Some even free.

Ah, alright. So would a thread in General designated specifically for the purpose of having speakers of a specific language converse in it would be fine, or would it be considered a chat thread like TET? And also, a side question, if someone were to be flaming or trolling in a different language, how would the mods understand what they're doing, should it be reported?

There are several non-English threads already, Spanish, Finnish and Dutch (in its seventh iteration) come to mind right away. They are chat threads but we make that exception when there is enough interest. You should ask in Moderation for permission to start a new one, though.

As for flaming and trolling in other languages than English, if you understand what's being said, report it. The Moderation team is located world-wide and we can usually find someone to give us a decent translation. Rules violations are rules violation no matter how they're expressed.

I would advise against extended conversations in other languages in an English discussion thread, however. A few posts in a short exchange are not a problem but a side conversations that very few others can understand are.

About flaming in a different language: if you do it for the purpose of hoping that the mods/players won't notice, we'll smack extra hard.

[Alleniana]

Ok, I think I pretty much understand the modly stance now. Thankies.

[Cora II]

@The Blaatschapen: Thanks for guidance. Breaking rules is not my intention regardless of what language ever would be used for communication, and I play this game also for learning better English (albeit non-systematically) by using it in practice. The Point of my question is much likely that if feeling unsure about propriate usage and meaning of some term in a some context such 'meta-text' would be helpful for clarifying what I mean.

Why? For preventing non-necessary warnings and misunderstandings, of course.

[The Blaatschapen]

@The Blaatschapen: Thanks for guidance. Breaking rules is not my intention regardless of what language ever would be used for communication, and I play this game also for learning better English (albeit non-systematically) by using it in practice. The Point of my question is much likely that if feeling unsure about propriate usage and meaning of some term in a some context such 'meta-text' would be helpful for clarifying what I mean.

Why? For preventing non-necessary warnings and misunderstandings, of course.

The thing is, then we mods(and all other players that communicate with you) have to suddenly know Finnish (or whatever language) as well, to fully understand your message.

I'd argue on a personal basis (there is no formal ruling on this afaik) that the English content (and thus the English context) is leading when deciding whether or not a post is rule breaking. Foreign language threads excluded, of course.

Hence why I'd totally ignore Finnish 'meta-text' in English posts, except for posts in viewtopic.php?f=20&t=143862

[Alleniana]

So, would it be fine for me to start a Latin language thread? A quick look in NSG seems to yield no results for anything like it.

[The Blaatschapen]

So, would it be fine for me to start a Latin language thread? A quick look in NSG seems to yield no results for anything like it.

I awsay a eadday neoay.

Ogay ightray headaay ithway akingmay a ewnay neoay.

---



You can make a new one. In the worst case it will get merged.

[Alleniana]

So, would it be fine for me to start a Latin language thread? A quick look in NSG seems to yield no results for anything like it.

I awsay a eadday neoay.

Ogay ightray headaay ithway akingmay a ewnay neoay.

---



You can make a new one. In the worst case it will get merged.

thought you were going to make a jab at Latin being a dead language for a moment there.
Thanksh.