Native Language Profile Setting

[spin13]

Many other language learning forums (e.g., WordReference, UsingEnglish) include a profile option to display the first/native language of every user. This information is usually visible in both the profile and every post, along with the user's name, post count, and location. Would it be possible to add this to the site? I would also suggest making it mandatory information.

Though the number of native Japanese speakers is fairly low on this site, it would help identify those people who are qualified to answer certain (often cultural or emotional) questions, as well as whose Japanese language posts make for the best examples.

It would also help to identify whose minor grammar mistakes in English are permissible and who is being lazy or rude. The question comes up often enough and if information of native language was provided from the beginning, we could skip on the English-related questions and get down to actually assisting with Japanese learning.

-Eric

[phreadom]

It sounds like a good idea. The only issue I could see with this is the possibility of the native Japanese speakers getting pestered for help etc. I'm pretty sure a few others here would echo that concern.

I'm curious to see how others feel about this.

Thanks for the suggestion!

[BuddhaGeo]

I wholeheartedly support this suggestion!

[clay]

It does seem like a good idea--except Phreadom's concern.

We are working HARD on the new upgrade to the site. Once we are done with the major stuff, we can look at little improvements like this. Keep the suggestions coming!

[two_heads_talking]

It does seem like a good idea--except Phreadom's concern.

We are working HARD on the new upgrade to the site. Once we are done with the major stuff, we can look at little improvements like this. Keep the suggestions coming!

The suggestion that I have is to allow a "blocked" pm .. In other words, you have an option to turn off or block pm's unless authorized or permission given (perhaps a password) or other way to "limit" the unsolicited help requests.

[clay]

One thing people can do is to see what modules are available for phpBB 3: http://www.phpbb.com/mods/

Make sure it is available for phpBB version 3.

[coco]

After I've read this thread, I believe the idea can be helpful also for members whose mother tongues are not English.

[Valatunda]

I thought the same earlier Coco-san, but just decided not to post. I think it would be a helpful thing.

[phreadom]

Obviously I'm going to have to make this feature a bit more of a priority.

If people can't be mature enough to stop and think for a moment before insulting someone, I guess a helper of this sort is sadly more of a necessity than I previously thought.

[clay]

Good news. Phreadom has already set it up on the upgraded site. We are still weeks away from launching the new improved site, but things are really coming along.

[ss]

My impression on Hevrae's thread was, it could be a big misunderstanding due to Hevrae's very first paragraph. >>> (Ok, so I decided I'm not really keen on taking the correct path this because I tend to go straight on shortcuts and try to build up texts haha, sorry. Anyhow, I wanted to write.......)

I don't know how native English speakers will take that, but to me, by saying that, it really can lead to perceiving s/he is a sort of person that never likes to take the correct path of learning Japanese and taking shortcuts instead. While of course, on the other hand, I see no reason for vkladchik to act harsh, in that particular thread.

I think the idea here probably helps in some way. But personally, I still believe there is no way we can avoid nuisance if someone plans to play wile. Lately I've done a search on a particular person and read his/her posts from some other forums. I've found that s/he is very good in English, extremely good.

But, I'm agreeing here, that even what seemed like a silly question for, we should be polite or shouldn't say anything at all. It's really time to learn to sit back, relax, and just watch instead.

[phreadom]

The "Native Language" feature is setup.

Just click on "User Control Panel" at the top of the page, then click on the "Profile" tab, then look down at the bottom of the page for the "Native language" box.

Go ahead and fill it out! This will all be ported over to the new site when it's ready.

(Then it will show up in your information to the right, like you can see on mine now.)

[coco]

Phreadomさん、ありがとうございました。
そしてSpin13さん、ご提案いただきありがとうございました。

[ss]

Thanks, Phreadom.

<< Y'know, I'm a fast learner!!!!!

[tanuki]

This is a good thing, I'm glad it could be implemented.