Official Language of this Board

[LostinLaMancha]

Question: Is English the official language of this board? Will no other lnguage be ever used on this board?

[Prashant]

Question: Is English the official language of this board? Will no other lnguage be ever used on this board?
I don't think this Board has an official language, per se. However, English is a global language, and I'm pretty sure that everybody who lives in Newport and visits our Board is pretty fluent in it.

That being said, you could always post a message or start a thread in any other language of your liking - but, the same rules apply there too - no BAD language, etc.

[Sonia]

Actually, security concerns require us to make English the official language of this board, so that we may monitor its content. Although the occassional ukranian or other language phrase may not be objectionable, the fact that this board may be accessed from any region in the world, makes it necessary to facilitate monitoring in the official language of the United States.

[PunjabiAssassin]

Actually, security concerns require us to make English the official language of this board, so that we may monitor its content. Although the occassional ukranian or other language phrase may not be objectionable, the fact that this board may be accessed from any region in the world, makes it necessary to facilitate monitoring in the official language of the United States.


So once again, you feel there is an international attempt to take down the Newport Waterfront Association.

If you are referencing possible terrorist recruitment, then you are out of your mind to think they would use your NWA board to do that, where IP addresses are logged and everyone registers. Please.

[Scott]

Oh god, not again... please... :(

[Sonia]

So once again, you feel there is an international attempt to take down the Newport Waterfront Association.

If you are referencing possible terrorist recruitment...

This really is not up for discussion on this board. Suffice to say, it's unlikely the terrorists would attempt to recruit people on this board, even you.

If Prashant would like to talk about this further, he can email or call me.

[PunjabiAssassin]

Scott,

I agree, I'm jus fighting for my right to speak in whatever language i see fit. English is my first language, but I can communicate in others. I know there are some folks in Newport who can only communicate in other language, so why do we bar them from this board?

Is this really a community board, or a English Community Board?

[PunjabiAssassin]

This really is not up for discussion on this board. Suffice to say, it's unlikely the terrorists would attempt to recruit people on this board, even you.

If Prashant would like to talk about this further, he can email or call me.


Ms. Sonia,

Is it really proper for you to infer that I could be a good candidate for Terrorism? Is this becoming of an administrator?
it's unlikely the terrorists would attempt to recruit people on this board, even you.


It's unlikely terrorists would recruit administrators from this board, even you.

[LostinLaMancha]

Punjabi. Have you heard about Ming?

[PunjabiAssassin]

Ming?

As in the Chinese Dynasty?

[LostinLaMancha]

No a lady on this board, who was threatened when someone was talking in the elevator in a different language. She thought they were planning to kill her.

Well, we have a new Ming, and she is far more powerful.

[PunjabiAssassin]

I see, Ming, hmmmmm, interesting lady.

Nic,

Are you trying to ruffle feathers?

[LostinLaMancha]

don't worry nic, you can get away with anything.

Punjabi, remember the quote " I come from a totally non-discriminatory background."

[PunjabiAssassin]

Nic,

what language is that? To my ignorant self it seems Eastern European.


LaMancha,

Yeah, I think I'm starting to see the picture a bit more clearly now.

[LostinLaMancha]

punjabi... you are now officially a security threat LOL

[PunjabiAssassin]

It took a post in Hindi to get Nic's post deleted...

Damn Nic, you got some pull. Your post lasted a whole day, mine lasted about 2 hours :)

[Nic]

Well it just goes to show that Sonia really does treat us more or less equally. The lnguage, incidentally, was Russian. I didn't pen anything subversive, merely a doting entreaty to one of our regulars who has recently become notable for her absence.

Although I could swear I heard a click on my phone when I made a call, shortly after my posting.

[LostinLaMancha]

The problem is that we all knew that obviously you were trying to be funny, and Punjabi was not offensive either. Why the heck was that deleted then. I think its paranoia, and its stretching the security threat factor a way bit too far.

Prashant, I am waiting for your opinion on this one.

[PunjabiAssassin]

I think Sonia is a smart women and will come to see her error in judgement on the language issue.

It's just a matter of time.

To err is human, it admit it, divine.

[PunjabiAssassin]

Hey LaMancha!

We've gotten great things out of paranoia over security.

The Red Scare in the 50s and labeling everyone who exercised their liberty to speak out against the government as a Commie.

The Patriot Act. Need I say more....

[Sonia]

This is a monitored bulletin board. If we don't understand the language, we can't monitor the post. Given the many languages that are spoken in Newport, it would unfair to allow Hindi or Spanish, but not French, Italian, Chinese, Arabic, Parsi, Russian, etc... Our policy must therefore be to delete posts that are not in English!

[Nic]

And if people don't like using American English, there's always the Queen's English available.

[LostinLaMancha]

Right, and we've got weird things too, like Duct Tape. I am all in favor of caution, but not paranoia. Somethings always seem like stretching it a bit too much, and having everyone post in English is just one of those things.

[wishiwas]

I agree with Sonia's decision that posts on this board should be in English.

Although, we might want to consider Pig Latin as well...

:D

[PunjabiAssassin]

I don't see how you think that post in English only ISN'T unfair.

You can monitor Spanish, Prashant can monitor Hindi and Punjabi, so why can't all those be allowed? THey are all monitorable.

English, Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi are all monitorable languages, so they should be treated equally under your monitoring rules.

Now if you are going to say using Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi and noth others would be discriminatory, then so is using English!

You have chosen to discriminate already based on one criterion. The language must be monitorable, so it must be in a language a Administrator can understand. Under those rules, English, Spanish, Hindi and PUnjabi should be allowed and treated equally.

Also languages to consider would be all Romantic languages; French, Italian Ect... and All Sanscrit based languages; Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati. These languages are similar enough to the ones above that someone with fluency in them, well get the jist of conversation in the ones below.

Also ebonics, pig latin, and all the other variants of English should be allowed for the same reasons outlined able.

Sonia,

If you only allow english, it is obvious discrimination to all other languages. By citing security concerns, you can continue to discriminate against all others except Hindi, Punjabi and Spanish, since all do not pose the same risk. YOU ADMINS UNDERSTAND THEM.

[PunjabiAssassin]

AND

In order to not offend anyones ettique rules, you could make a special forum for Language or community based discussions.

You could have one for PUnjabi, Hindi, and Spanish. YOu could even have one where people can request a special forum for their cultural group provided they ONLY speak in english, since those other languages are monitorable.

Foriegn Language speakers are happy, and English speakers are happy. We're a big happy Newport family.

[PunjabiAssassin]

Sonia,

I'm pretty sure you need to abide by the laws and regulations of this land. I don't know how it works for non-profits, but in employment, it is ILLEGAL to attempt to have an english only rule. I'm sure the same applies to non-profits, in terms of caring about the piece of paper we call the constitution.

By instituting that only english can be spoken on the board, you are in violation of Title VII's prohibition against national origin discrimination.

Here is a link to better illustrate my point.

http://www.nilc.org/immsemplymnt/emprights/emprights016.htm

I suggest you modify your policy, since it is discriminatory and without merit.

[PunjabiAssassin]

Here is something published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

http://www.atkinsinternational.com/febmar04.pdf

Points out that the implimentation of an English-Only rule at all times constitutes impermissible discrimination on the basis of national origin in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act... Which judging from your background, you should be very familiar with.

Sonia, you and I know it is unfair to bar other languages from being spoken. By ignoring the issue it will not go away, only become bigger. I urge you to make room for people who would like to speak in other languages, the rule as it stand is unfair.

[LostinLaMancha]

She is not going to respond dude. I have noticed her and she prefers staying away from conversations where she knows she has lost. She would probably make an appearance 3 days later, and again reiterate her stance, in a different thread. Pretty typical of her.

[Katie_Scarlett]

PunjabiAssassin- Why do you insist on making trouble? English is the official language of the United States. I'm close to fluent in two other languages, but I don't feel a need to post in either on a board where the one language we all have in common is English. This is a message board- a community board at that. If you post something it should be in the language the entire community understands. If you want to have a private conversation, send a private message or an email to your new friend.

I can understand your desire to show off your skills in a foreign language, but you have to understand that it's frustrating to the people who don't speak or understand it, and it's rude.

[Sonia]

Punjabi,

Unlike you, I must juggle a responsible, demanding job, and several NWA projects, which leaves me little time to spend arguing with you on this board. The fact is you appear clueless about the role of Title VII, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Council, which is pertinent to the "workplace", and only when there are at least 15 employees, not the internet and our bulletin board.

I suggest you take a course in discrimination law before you start accusing others of violating your rights. :rolleyes:

[PunjabiAssassin]

PunjabiAssassin- Why do you insist on making trouble? English is the official language of the United States. I'm close to fluent in two other languages, but I don't feel a need to post in either on a board where the one language we all have in common is English. This is a message board- a community board at that. If you post something it should be in the language the entire community understands. If you want to have a private conversation, send a private message or an email to your new friend.

I can understand your desire to show off your skills in a foreign language, but you have to understand that it's frustrating to the people who don't speak or understand it, and it's rude.


Katie,

I hold no such desire to 'show off' my skills in other languages. This is a community board, and many in the Newport Community feel more comfortable speaking in other languages, and because they can't do that, they do not engage in discussion here.

I also understand the need to have the GENERAL FORUMS in english so everyone in the community can talk to everyone else and everyone understands each other. Currently, we have a General Forum and a Special Forum section, would it be so offensive to english speakers in another forum was added entitled Language Forums?

In those forums, langage based discussions can take place and english speaks will know that they may not understand everything in there. At the same time, those residents in Newport will be given a voice and will know that if they venture into the General or Special forums that they may not understand everything.

It is outright discrimination to not allow people to communicate in other languages under any circumstance. It doesn't bother me that you feel I am 'making trouble'. Blacks were seen as 'making trouble' also when they fought for equal rights in the 60's, so were women in the 20's. If fighting for your rights is creating trouble, then ma'am, I'm a trouble maker.

[PunjabiAssassin]

Punjabi,

Unlike you, I must juggle a responsible, demanding job, and several NWA projects, which leaves me little time to spend arguing with you on this board. The fact is you appear clueless about the role of Title VII, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Council, which is pertinent to the "workplace", and only when there are at least 15 employees, not the internet and our bulletin board.

I suggest you take a course in discrimination law before you start accusing others of violating your rights. :rolleyes:


Sonia,

The first thing I said is that this applies to the workplace, and thank you (seriously) for better informing me of its role. I was posting it to show you that laws prohibiting English-Only Rules are in place, and I'm sure they do exist for our circumstance, but I don't know where to look or even how to find it.

I just don't understnad why you feel the need to discriminate against a whole community of people, Spanish, Hindi and Punjabi speakers. I mean what is the need? You all can monitor those languages, so then what's the deal? If you are concerned with people being 'offended' by posts in other languages, then give them their own special place? A Thread dedicated to them? It's not very hard, I'm sure Prashant can do it in an hour if that. So what is the real issue here? Are you really that paranoid about secret plots occuring on 'your' board?

[Katie_Scarlett]

Katie,

It is outright discrimination to not allow people to communicate in other languages under any circumstance. It doesn't bother me that you feel I am 'making trouble'. Blacks were seen as 'making trouble' also when they fought for equal rights in the 60's, so were women in the 20's. If fighting for your rights is creating trouble, then ma'am, I'm a trouble maker.


I just laughed outloud. You compared yourself to the black civil rights movement of the 60's? Are you suffering from some sort of grandiose delusion disorder or what? Here's the deal - the NWA makes this board available to any poster who is willing to abide by the rules of the board. If you don't like the board, then leave. This is not a matter of civil rights and liberties, but it is a matter of one guy going on and on beating a very dead (and at this point smelly) horse.

[LostinLaMancha]

Katie, This board is a forum for the residents, where you can raise issues and interact with other residents. And it is a public forum. If you actually read the rules before subscribing, you can probably see that it does not mention the "English issue". Not only that, how can you justify banning something without a proper discussion and reason?

[Katie_Scarlett]

I can justify it by saying that it's a priviledge to have this board and if the moderators who are running the board ban something, that's it. Make your own board if you don't like it.

[LostinLaMancha]

Aren't the moderators running it on behalf of NWA? And shouldn't NWA members should discuss it before banning it?

[PunjabiAssassin]

So why should NWA members make a different board when this one is already their's? Sonia and Prashant don't 'own' this board, the NWA does, and all member should have the right to voice their opinion on how it should be run.

[PunjabiAssassin]

If I got a reasonable explaination, I don't see why I wouldn't. So far they have been policy statements without much explanation.

Why not just address the questions being asked?

[wishiwas]

Punjabi,

I never received any explanation at all regarding the deletion of some of my posts on the old bulletin board.

Let's face it, we are under Sonia's reign.

[Katie_Scarlett]

I thought the answer was - because that's the way the moderators want it. This board wouldn't exist if people didn't moderate it and keep it going. If they say one language, then it's one language. Why do you have to continue to argue this? What do you hope to gain? You know you won't change their minds.

[LostinLaMancha]

hey Katie, do you know what representative means?

[LostinLaMancha]

Hey katie,

Here is a thread from the other forum

http://www.newportwaterfrontassociation.org/cgi-bin/data/2391.shtml

Isn't this more offensive than talking in Ukranian? or Hindi or Punjabi? And what does Sonia do about it? Zilch. And I know, that now that I have mentioned it, she is going to delete it. but unless I did, she did nothing. She is more busy with things that bother her ego, compared to anything else.

[PunjabiAssassin]

I thought the answer was - because that's the way the moderators want it. This board wouldn't exist if people didn't moderate it and keep it going. If they say one language, then it's one language. Why do you have to continue to argue this? What do you hope to gain? You know you won't change their minds.


Katie,

You may be satisfited with rules without justification, but I personally am not. One day you'll encounter a rule who's purpose you dont understand and I encourage you to question it until you are satisfied.

If the moderators need help, there are other NWA members that can help them. They don't lack human resources. What do I hope to gain? I hope to give access to those NWA members who do not visit this board because they feel more comfortable speaking in another language. There is no reason to bar our fellow NWA members. I don't even dream that I'll be able to change Sonia's mind, all I ask is for a reasonable explaination.

The security one is out, we've already went over it. The 'rude' one is dealt with by given laguages their own section.

So all I ask is, what now is the reason to bar our fellow NWA members and Newport residents?

And I think we should separate out the Moderators. Prashant hasn't said anything in support or againt the idea, Sonia has spoken out against it. This is why the messages are addressed to her.

[Katie_Scarlett]

LostinLaMancha- I have heard of representation. Have you ever heard of privilege? Privilege= your ability to post on this website. Don't like the rules? Leave.

Punjabi-I hear what you're saying. I understand questioning rules that you don't like. But life is all about rules. You can't just walk around punching people because you feel like it, and then question why it's a crime. On this board the rule was stated by a moderator that English is the language of the board. I don't know if terrorism or rudeness matters, it's the rule. She gave you an explanation, you didn't like it. That doesn't make it less of an explanation. You have to learn to accept that there will be certain things in life that you don't agree with and then move on. If you think that the people living in NWA that don't post are feeling left out because they need to post in their own language, I think you'd better serve them by encouraging them to take ESL classes. They live in a country where the official language is English. I think it's ignorant and arrogant to assume that because you don't understand a language you should be catered to. That is to say, if I moved to Egypt, I'd have to learn Farsi (sp?), I wouldn't expect the Egyptians to make things in English so that I felt comfortable.

I recognize I'm very fortunate being a native English speaker. I realize that most of the developed world recognizes English as the language of business and understands this language. I can't comprehend what it's like to move somewhere and not be able to communicate effectively. However, that said, if I did choose to move somewhere where English wasn't the official language, I would make it my business to learn whatever language was the official language.

[LostinLaMancha]

Katie Scarlett (I like your name, even if its a fake one. I love Scarlett O' Hara),
I haven't heard of priviledge. Infact, even webster hasn't heard of it. http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=+priviledge&x=13&y=19

Tell me more about it. Is it an animal?

[Katie_Scarlett]

Privilege smart guy. You knew what I was talking about.

It's fixed.

[LostinLaMancha]

Oh Damn! I should have quoted you!!!

The point is, Is this really a privilege? Again, Sonia/Prashant represent NWA, and NWA represents the people of Newport. Her saying "You can't do this" wouldn't constitute a rule. A majority deciding so, would do that.

Again, I accept your theory about going to a place and learning its language. But then, should I be forced to speak in that laguage when I am among friends? And I hope when I am on this board, I am among Friends. And there can conceivably be no harm when people are talking in a special forum, in their native language. It brings them together, even if they don't know each other. And if the purpose of NWA is to bring the residents together, and create a friendly environment, it should not be a problem.

[Katie_Scarlett]

From Sonia's point of view-what about one bad guy, say living in central Jersey, comes across this board allowing for any language posting. He then links his buddies into the board and the plan a meeting... the meeting is for a terrorist organization. Then they end up getting caught. It comes out that this chatboard facilitated their meeting. Do you think we'll still have a chatboard?

I don't know that NWA makes it's rules based on a majority of poster's opinions.

Yes, you should have quoted me, that would have been harder to correct. At least I admitted I fixed it, instead of just changing it.

[LostinLaMancha]

Tell me something, do you seriously believe that some guy living in Central jersey, or a far away part of the world, if he needs to plan sinister, will do so on a public board? Is he going to be that stupid?

Really, do you really believe it?

If you do, I'll give up and stop arguing for it. There would be no point. There is a saying in my native language which translates into this "Playing a musical instrument in front of a buffalo is pointless"

[Sonia]

Lost in La Mancha & Punjabi,

We are not going to allow posting in different languages because it would be difficult to monitor. Although I have no problem with your using the board to entertain the question, it is pointless for you to keep rehashing this issue over and over again.

Lost in La Mancha,

I deleted my post regarding your cheating because I thought it might embarass you. Congratulations on your rise in status to "member."

Fabulous, we now have Spell Check. :cool:

Oops! it's not working yet.

[Katie_Scarlett]

No I don't really think that it would happen, but it could. They were using the internet at some point - didn't I read that. Do I think newport is at the top of their list, no. But if it's accessible, then why not? Just entertaining possibilities.

[PunjabiAssassin]

LostinLaMancha- I have heard of representation. Have you ever heard of privilege? Privilege= your ability to post on this website. Don't like the rules? Leave.

Punjabi-I hear what you're saying. I understand questioning rules that you don't like. But life is all about rules. You can't just walk around punching people because you feel like it, and then question why it's a crime. On this board the rule was stated by a moderator that English is the language of the board. I don't know if terrorism or rudeness matters, it's the rule. She gave you an explanation, you didn't like it. That doesn't make it less of an explanation. You have to learn to accept that there will be certain things in life that you don't agree with and then move on. If you think that the people living in NWA that don't post are feeling left out because they need to post in their own language, I think you'd better serve them by encouraging them to take ESL classes. They live in a country where the official language is English. I think it's ignorant and arrogant to assume that because you don't understand a language you should be catered to. That is to say, if I moved to Egypt, I'd have to learn Farsi (sp?), I wouldn't expect the Egyptians to make things in English so that I felt comfortable.

I recognize I'm very fortunate being a native English speaker. I realize that most of the developed world recognizes English as the language of business and understands this language. I can't comprehend what it's like to move somewhere and not be able to communicate effectively. However, that said, if I did choose to move somewhere where English wasn't the official language, I would make it my business to learn whatever language was the official language.

Katie,

I'm glad we can all at least accept that we come from different biases. We all see things differently because we have different backgrounds. Also, these residents don't need ESL, they speak english just fine.

Suppose you did live in Egypt, after a year or so, wouldn't it be nice to meet some English speakers again who you could communicate with?

Point of Claification: Egyptians speak Arabic for the most part, Farsi is in Iran.

Lastly, I didn't know there was a English Only rule until another user posted in Hindi and I responded to them. It's like punching someone, only later finding out that its illegal. When i did it after that, it was in complete sarcasm, as in when Nic posted in Russian and nothing happened to his post for a whole day, until i posted in Hindi.

She did give me an explaination, but i asked for a reasonable explaination. I know that 'reasonable' is very subjective. But common now. She said it needs to be monitorable, well Hindi, PUnjabi and SPanish are... she said that it could be concieved as rude, we suggested make a sparate thread, so all we ask is, what now is possibly the problem?

[PunjabiAssassin]

If you do, I'll give up and stop arguing for it. There would be no point. There is a saying in my native language which translates into this "Playing a musical instrument in front of a buffalo is pointless"

My friend,

I don't know what it means, but its beautiful :)

[PunjabiAssassin]

No I don't really think that it would happen, but it could. They were using the internet at some point - didn't I read that. Do I think newport is at the top of their list, no. But if it's accessible, then why not? Just entertaining possibilities.

Katie,

Its always good to keep possibilities in mind. But we should also keep in mind the possiblity of it becoming a reality.

For example. The Lincoln Tunnel allows for commecial vehicles but they are checked. The Holland doesn't allow for any commercial vehicles. I assume because it has a weaker structure or because it would cause too many delays to stop commercial vehicles. But have you seen the size of some of these SUV's lately? Like the Navigator, Escalade? THey have as much room as a van which the seats removed, so could be used as a vehicle for terrorism.

Does that mean we now stop every SUV before it enters a Tunnel?? I WOULD BE HAPPY IF THEY DID, but realisticly, they won't because its too much trouble, and probably because the possiblility of something like that happening is small and not worth the trouble it would cause.

Example 2:

A bunch of terrorists use AIM (An instant messaging program) to set up meetings between themselves, and organize a strategic strike on a target. They use cell phones to take pictures of targets. Phones come with Instant messagering programs these days, they could use them to coordinate a syncronized attack.

So now do we ban phones with cameras? and phones with instant messaging programs? How about ban cameras altogether in the City.

These things could happen, but the burden they place on society is too great for anyone to consider doing anything about.

Yes some idiot could use the NWA board of all boards to calculate an attack, but please, is it realistic? THey could plan the attack in english too using our board but through private messages!

We can't stop living because some people want to harm us. We also shouldn't compromise our freedoms. Fear should not be a motivating force, because if it is, they've already won.

[NewportLady]

Punjabi,

If all your friends speak English fine, why are you forcing the question? You act as if you don't understand the explanations that have been given to you, and are trying to get your own way. Sonia has explained that monitoring the board will be far more complicated if there are several languages involved. I think you're just acting oppositional, and unreasonable. :confused:

[PunjabiAssassin]

Punjabi,

If all your friends speak English fine, why are you forcing the question? You act as if you don't understand the explanations that have been given to you, and are trying to get your own way. Sonia has explained that monitoring the board will be far more complicated if there are several languages involved. I think you're just acting oppositional, and unreasonable. :confused:

Newport Lady,

I just moved here, so don't know anyone but the people I knew previous (I know no other Newport Residents). Sonia speaks Spanish, for her monitoring a Spanish post is as easy as monitoring a English post. She didn't say it was more complicated? I also would like to remind our admins that I'm sure there are many NWA members that would be willing to help monitor certain threads to help in the monitoring process. I do understand the explanations given, but it must be my English or something, but it seems that you don't see how the 'problem' has been given many solutions. She stated what the problems are, and we have suggested solutions to those problems so EVERYONE is satisfied. If refusing to accept this rule without a reasonable explanation is unreasonable, then I am unreasonable.

From my part I have accepted the need to ban languages not monitor-able. That leaves the question of those that are monitor-able, namely, Spanish, Hindi and Punjabi. And if you make Nic a moderator of Russia then Russian! LaMancha can do Ukrainian (), but i fear he may be the only one in there :).

I have no personal vested interest in this. I was born in the West and speak English perfectly (or i think i do) and I don't have any friend's whom I wish to help. This is a reaction to an obviously unfair rule based on a Security Paranoia. And security paranoias lead to certain minority groups having their rights trampled on to keep the rest safe. No one should have to sacrifice their freedoms for advocates of fear.

[Lisa]

Punjabi,

Don't you get it? NWA may be unable to allow only the languages they have the manpower to monitor. If they open the door, they may be required (as a 501 (c)(3)) to allow forums for ALL the languages represented in Newport, whether they have someone to monitor them or not. :mad:

Here's a saying they often use in my country: "You need to learn to walk before you run ."

[PunjabiAssassin]

Why did my response get deleted?? I didn't say anthing wrong?