speak english or die?

Question

this is a rule for yahoo answers... what do you think about it?

it is #8 in the rules..... USE ENGLISH ONLY: Please do not use other languages or symbols. Also, spelling and grammar count! Be sure to check your spelling and grammar, as content that is unreadable due to excessive typos may also be deleted.
(and i am just getting opinons ...geez, please dont be offended)

Answer 1

I used to disagree, too until they opened Yahoo Answers in several other languages. I still think content is much more important than just the form (language, spelling, typos, etc.). And I think the languages which don't have a YA yet should be allowed here. Besides, I would NEVER report a post just because it was in another language. And I would NEVER even try to correct a post, unless the poster specifically asked so.

So, I think they're wrong forbidding other languages here, but at least they're beginning to change that, by opening other YA's. That is something, right?

Answer 2

Well..that's a good topic. I didn't know such a rule existed. I suppose it's because yahoo answers is United States based. I mean keep in mind, the United States IS a predominantly ENGLISH speaking country. Think about it this way... if you were to go to a foreign country where they spoke another language other than what you speak and it is the DOMINANT language of the country, would you expect that country to cater to the minority? Of course not. In the United States, our school books are in english, our money is in english, and our constitution is in english. I don't think it's too much to ask to speak the language if you want to live here, it's called adaptation. So the "speak english or die" (although I think "die" is a little harsh) just goes back to the basic principle of natural selection "survival of the fittest" people who speak other languages besides english CHOOSE to come here and live. Because it's a choice, then you need to learn to adapt to the culture, if you refuse to, then you obviously have no true respect for the country you chose to live in, and if that's the case then why come here in the first place? Now don't get me wrong..I'm very much all about diversity and acceptance OF diversity and culture, but I don't think it's right for someone to come trampling on another person's territory and demand change that caters to them. ( I live in San Antonio, Texas where MANY MANY people don't speak english, but spanish instead, and they are VERY catered to here, even bilingual pay differentials and scholarships for hispanic Americans) I just feel as though we offer many opportunities for different cultures and ethnicities and try to make this country a "land of opportunity" and a "melting pot" of cultures, but at least let us keep the language, I mean everything else has gotten to where there IS no predomination...our races are getting blended, our cultures are blended...we need to keep something as a "ground rule" if you will..and I think the English language needs to be it.

Answer 3

Although the "or die" part is a bit silly (and certainly not included in the rules themselves) Yahoo has, at the very bottom, sites listed for people who do not speak English. No one is forcing anyone here in this specific part of the site.

This is the US/UK/Canada/Australia site so, yes, speaking English only makes sense. You want to speak another language, choose the country where they speak that language. If it's not there... too bad.

Answer 4

Have you ever heard of the Tower of Babel? Yahoo is based in an English speaking country, plus English of some sort is known by many people from all over the world. If everyone here started using their own languages, we would have an even bigger mess than we do now.

Answer 5

It's a reasonable rule, certainly now that Y!A is available in several other "countries"--at least in several other languages. (Although Eduarodi makes a good point about the languages it's NOT available in.)

The point of this type of rule, as I understand it, is that the moderators need to know whether a question or answer violates community guidelines. And if someone was, say, advertising a porn site in Tagalog, well, I'd want to know about it!

Answer 6

Would somebody let me be the first to answer a question for once?
Well, I'll tell you one thing: I went to the German section of yahoo-answers, and I tried to sell my points. I said "Wer mochte meine Punkte kaufen?" I got no reponse, and not only that I received a stern reprimand from yahoo.

What was your question again?

Answer 7

I think it's great.America was founded by immigrants, and they all learned to speak English.I don't agree with the die part, but I do think that if a person is unwilling to learn the majority language, it sucks to be them.

Answer 8

If you are writing to US, UK, Australia, I think it's good.
I'm Brazilian, when I wanna write in English or Spanish, for example, I choose, in the end of the page, communities of other countries.

Answer 9

there is an english only rule for answers, but so what. it does not mean you die and it does not apply to other situations.

there are good reasons for it.

Answer 10

ATT Yahoo is a company that has its headquarters in a Country that's speaks English...hummm...