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Topic: Note to non English speakers
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Does anyone else think it is hilarious that the note to non english speakers at the bottom of the main forum page is written in English.
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Well no...
First of all, this note appears in other languages as well, as long as your settings are set so that the site appears in your particular language ("your favourite language").
Second of all, if people are able to get there and read the rest (which is in English), I don't see why they couldn't read it.
Third of all, what do you suggest? That it appears in all known languages, but English? That would be a pretty long message.
Finally, someone who doesn't understand the message presumably doesn't speak English... so they'll end up writing in the forum in any other language but English anyway, with or without the warning (which is permitted).
The main point is, I guess, that there's no better solution than that, and that it really isn't so much of a problem.
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It IS a funny circumstance though! I don't think micro was suggesting it is a problem, just that it's funny to contemplate.
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Well, English ought to be your second or third language wherever you are from. It is so widely spoken that it often is the only means to communicate with a random other inhabitant. Even if the only phrases used are: Hello; I love you; F*** you; Thank you; Sorry; You are my friend, I give you good price, etc. it gives a good basis for further attempts at communication.
An exception should be made for about one third of the members of Queen Alice. They are from Brazil, you see, and being such a big Portuguese-speaking country, they have every right to know little other than basic Spanish from school. Hence threads in Brasileiro Portugues are still viable.
There also seems to be some forum discussions in French. Germans, Scandinavians and Dutchfolk generally manage adequately in English, let alone the Brits. So yes, let all the non-native English speakers improve their English on this site! Meanwhile, I'm trying to get my grips on basic Portuguese.
F.
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Actually, most schools in Brazil teach basic English, rather than Spanish... But since Spanish and Portuguese are a bit alike, we can usually understand each other. 
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That's interesting. The Netherlands has long been a country that is mostly dependent on trade income. So we usually get some basic French and German in school, and a lot of English. I would have expected that Brazilian schools would emphasise Spanish, being the nearest and most frequent foreign language needed in South/Middle America. Not so, though? Ok then.
Still, I enjoy the idea of playing chess in a truly international club. If I can't understand all the threads on a forum, I consider that my own problem to solve, by learning a bit of the language.
Cordially, F.
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