Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site cbosgd.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!cbosgd!mark
From: mark@cbosgd.UUCP (Mark Horton)
Newsgroups: net.jokes.d,net.news.group,net.nlang
Subject: Re: non-English Articles
Message-ID: <498@cbosgd.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 14-Nov-84 15:15:14 EST
Article-I.D.: cbosgd.498
Posted: Wed Nov 14 15:15:14 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 15-Nov-84 03:12:38 EST
References: <452@diku.UUCP> <1314@ihuxq.UUCP>
Organization: Bell Labs, Columbus
Lines: 28

There are already a group of newsgroups net.nlang.all which
were created for this exact purpose.  "nlang" stands for "natural
language" to distinguish it from "lang" which already existed and
means "computer language."  Certainly there is no need for a
net.flang.all in addition.

However, the suggestion that articles written in a language other
than the default (this means English for most net.all groups) be
marked "(auf Deutsch)" or whatever in the subject line seems like a
good one.  Unless someone can argue that the message should be in
English "(in German)" so non-speakers can pick it out and understand it.

I am still, however, unclear on the advantage to posting such
messages in the first place.  If you want to be understood by
all the people on the net, use English.  If there is some reason
why an article really needs to be in another language, perhaps a
joke that doesn't translate well, then I think it would be best
to post it to the newsgroup appropriate to the topic (e.g. net.jokes)
and restrict the distribution.  The benefit to those few speakers of
that language who live outside the area where that language is used
is probably outweighed by the cost to transmit your article to over
1000 machines, most of which are populated by people who won't
understand your message.

Of course, for articles that are for local distribution anyway (such
as dk.all) local customs should apply.

	Mark Horton