4 ms·

How is it self-centered though? There's not 'self' here. My profession (IT) is not the only profession that requires translations. They are required everywhere

How is it self-centered though? There's not 'self' here. My profession (IT) is not the only profession that requires translations. They are required everywhere and so what I am saying is applicable everywhere. My nationality is not in question either, because I am not a native speaker. How is that self centered?

jacquesm 8y ago
It's self centered because you have already crossed that bridge.
- TeMPOraL 8y ago
  I'd say sometimes not crossing that bridge, which leads to a common meeting place, and instead insisting that everyone caters to your side is self-centered, but I just recognized that the exact same argument can be used against my position that most websites should be usable without JavaScript... Oh the irony.
  - jacquesm 8y ago
    For years the computing world had the position that if it couldn't be expressed in ASCII7 then 'fuck you'. Of course might makes right and all that but this goes beyond a couple of diacriticals. Finally with UTF-8 and i8n we now have a somewhat level playing field where for those that want we can exchange information. The segregation between these language spheres on the web is incredibly effective. For instance, the Spanish and the English web rarely link to each other (and if they do it is most likely a link from the Spanish part to the English part). Ditto with many other language pairs. A single world language is a nice thing to strive for, but I don't see why it would have to be English by default, even though that's what it probably will end up being anyway. The French have always felt that their language is somehow special and that it should be given preference in the EU, and until not all that long ago it was the 'official' language in quite a few European countries by virtue of being the language of the wealthy. For the longest time the Dutch driving license still had the words 'permis de conduire' on it for that reason (and not as a convenient translation for any French police that might take an interest in the document). French as a second language was the default, English a distant third. That's all changed now, but it is no different if it is imposed rather than of free will. So if you want to go to that common meeting place that's fine, but if you're forced to go that common meeting place because a bunch of tech bozos have decided your culture, script and language don't matter because they have already mastered English because it was a requirement for them to be employed then that isn't.
- gear54rus 8y ago
  And if I didn't it would be empty words. You just can't win :)
  - jacquesm 8y ago
    Google translate! I've seen more than one conversation between people that do not speak each others language through automated translators and even though the results are imperfect and sometimes humorous it does work to the point that it amazes me. It also gets it spectacularly wrong at times, but still. So far no intergalactic wars have broken out over this.
falcolas 8y ago
> How is that self centered? "I find it to be too much work, and I derive no value from it, so we shouldn't do it."
TeMPOraL 8y ago
Hey, I'm actually arguing your case :). I find sticking to local customs to be self-centered, because "why should I change to accommodate other people?".

jacquesm 8y ago

It's self centered because you have already crossed that bridge.

TeMPOraL 8y ago
I'd say sometimes not crossing that bridge, which leads to a common meeting place, and instead insisting that everyone caters to your side is self-centered, but I just recognized that the exact same argument can be used against my position that most websites should be usable without JavaScript... Oh the irony.
- jacquesm 8y ago
  For years the computing world had the position that if it couldn't be expressed in ASCII7 then 'fuck you'. Of course might makes right and all that but this goes beyond a couple of diacriticals. Finally with UTF-8 and i8n we now have a somewhat level playing field where for those that want we can exchange information. The segregation between these language spheres on the web is incredibly effective. For instance, the Spanish and the English web rarely link to each other (and if they do it is most likely a link from the Spanish part to the English part). Ditto with many other language pairs. A single world language is a nice thing to strive for, but I don't see why it would have to be English by default, even though that's what it probably will end up being anyway. The French have always felt that their language is somehow special and that it should be given preference in the EU, and until not all that long ago it was the 'official' language in quite a few European countries by virtue of being the language of the wealthy. For the longest time the Dutch driving license still had the words 'permis de conduire' on it for that reason (and not as a convenient translation for any French police that might take an interest in the document). French as a second language was the default, English a distant third. That's all changed now, but it is no different if it is imposed rather than of free will. So if you want to go to that common meeting place that's fine, but if you're forced to go that common meeting place because a bunch of tech bozos have decided your culture, script and language don't matter because they have already mastered English because it was a requirement for them to be employed then that isn't.
gear54rus 8y ago
And if I didn't it would be empty words. You just can't win :)
- jacquesm 8y ago
  Google translate! I've seen more than one conversation between people that do not speak each others language through automated translators and even though the results are imperfect and sometimes humorous it does work to the point that it amazes me. It also gets it spectacularly wrong at times, but still. So far no intergalactic wars have broken out over this.

falcolas 8y ago

> How is that self centered? "I find it to be too much work, and I derive no value from it, so we shouldn't do it."

TeMPOraL 8y ago

Hey, I'm actually arguing your case :). I find sticking to local customs to be self-centered, because "why should I change to accommodate other people?".