Due to a conversation in the shout box recently, I feel it might be useful to layout some guidelines concerning foreign languages in posts. I want to stress that there are guidelines and not hard fast rules. Well, there is one hard fast rule in there, but you'll get the drift.

Firstly, let me state that I am all for, okay with, encouraging of and generally Mr. Acceptable of the use of languages other than English in posts. Let me start with the only hard, fast rule:

Quote: Rule: The bulk of any post made on Andromorphia must be in English. This is an English Language RP board and it is too much to ask people to translate large tracts of text in languages other than English.

I'm afraid that's just the way it is and there is no disrespect intended. Indeed, the intent is to respect other's desire to understand what is posted. However, You are free to post entire messages in a foreign language so long as you provide a complete, non-machine translated translation into English. This should not be too much trouble for you if you fluently speak and/or write in a language other than English. I mean, you never know! People here might learn something.

Now on to the guidelines.

The problem that arose (and arises) is one of time and effort. Someone reading your post may not have the time to translate. What we want is an environment where we can read and clearly see what the action is, what is said and what our character needs to do next. Even so, I enjoy seeing the foreign language color in posts, as it lends a sense of culture and authenticity to the character.

Quote: Guideline: Without going into the tedious process of translating every commonly used term (such as exclamations, salutations and a character's vocal quirks) I would like to see any newly-offered conversational text, written as spoken or thought in a language other than English, have an accompanying translation at the bottom of the post.

You may use

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[/color] (an HTML tag meaning Horizontal Rule) before the block of translated text. This will separate the translation from the main text so that it does not distract from the original context.

Quote: Guideline: If a person asks for a translation OOC (that is, in a PM or in an OOC thread associated with the IC thread) then you should be courteous enough to provide the translation and add it to the bottom of the post in question.

Sometimes a translation of foreign language text runs against the purpose in the message. For example, a character may be speaking to another character in Swahili in order to minimize the possibility that another character will overhear and understand. This is a valid story-telling vehicle. In such a case, it would be counter to the intended flow of the plot for the eavesdropper to know the language or understand. To this end, a translation is neither required nor necessary. Use good judgment in doing this and please keep to the spirit of the guideline.

Quote: Guideline: Because not all browsers are able to read characters from foreign language character sets (they end up looking like oblong boxes at best or gibberish at worst,) please keep foreign language text in their western-text forms in message texts where applicable.

For example, Chinese and Japanese characters are not visible or translatable by some people because they do not have the character set installed. This does not include signature text or text within your avatars or signature graphics. These are not in-game conversational components, so you are free to do anything that doesn't cross the main board rules for content.

Summary

Andromorphia is an English Language RP and writing board. It is also a tolerant and accepting of many cultures board. I encourage the sharing of cultural insights and differences in Andromorphia. In order for all to enjoy and understand messages posted on Andromorphia, it is strongly encouraged that you provide translations. In the spirit of multi-cultural relations, tolerance and exposure, I simply ask that all be sensitive of other cultures and be aware that while English is the only official language of Andromorphia, we celebrate the diversity of peoples of all races, cultures and walks of life.

~valis