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> English might not be their first language (based on their name) This is a pretty weak assumption. Someone's name (and physical appearance) don't give you an
by Griffinsauce 5y ago
> English might not be their first language (based on their name)
This is a pretty weak assumption. Someone's name (and physical appearance) don't give you an accurate information about anything.
- shard 5y agoI don't think it's that weak of an assumption. First, considering all the people with foreign names in relevant groups (multinational corporations, or in this case, a researcher/ student at a university), I would say the chances that their first language is not English is high enough to be a consideration. And even if it is, there are also regional variations regarding what are common and accepted ways of phrasing things. Second, similar to the rule used here at HN, giving the text a more charitable read should be the starting point.