Many answers are found in Research Gate written in some other language than English.
But questioning is perhaps not allowed in any other language.
Research Gate in an international platform.
Do you think it should better allow the Q & A in English language only ?
Or
It should allow major 15-20 languages for Q&A to ensure involvement of more researchers?
In my opinion, it's very important to keep communication in different languages. The world is multilingual and science should be too. What about those scientists that are dealing with language and linguistics? Just English?
No, of course there is excellent research in other languages that can be published and for the interested interested in the opportunities of translation and identification
It should include other languages. It will help those people who do not understand English to also express their opinions.
Yes, we must unite the English language in our question and answer so that everyone can benefit from them.
No problem, use any language, Google translate can take care of it....!
English is the first world language but why not other languages will allow everyone to express themselves...
Dear Dr Pattanayak,
I would suggest and agree with the first one .....i.e., to go with english only. English is a versatile language, spoken globally, easily accepted by all, medium of most of the research/other important publications, can bring many researchers together under a single umbrella,......,......,........
Inclusion of other languages would certainly help others to take part.....But also would cause discomfort to some others (google translate may not always be a good idea to express scientific terminologies properly). Also it will be difficult to decide on which 10-15 languages will be selected and which will not be considered in RG forum.
Best regards,
A B Sharangi
Dear Dr Sharangi
Google translate has more than 10 to 15 different languages. In total there are 103 different languages. More over the program can also tell you what kind of language you are dealing with. It’s fun!!..... But for practical purpose I agree it is simpler to deal with the universal language of science: English.
Regards, jpj
English has long been recognized as an academic language, a kind of lingua franca by which academicians from different cultures and languages can interact effectively. The reason RG designers are using English is perhaps due to various complications which the use of different languages may evoke.
It is preferred to be a participant in English, but also to know and read all the research in any language as long as there is a summary in English.
It is best to use English language only to be more visible to all other members and colleagues.
English is best option, due to lack of time, it is not always possible to use the luxury of Google translation facility.
English should be the only language allowed since it is the most universal. Google Translate however does not translate all the nuances though.
The world speaks in multiple languages, and multilingualism in the RISG Kit is important and necessary.
Dear Dr Jean-Pierre Jost,
In my answer, by "10-15 languages" I meant major 10-15 languages that are suggested to be used alternative to english in the question itself (actually it was"15-20" which I found on my relook). I know very well about "Google translate" and the range of languages it deals with everyday ....almost every moment..... globaly. Anyway, thank you so much for your attention and wonderful answer.
English may be preferred language since large amount of research work is being done in English. However, researchers may also write and publish in other languages. In such cases , for wider reach, it may be translated in English.
In my opinion, it's very important to keep communication in different languages. The world is multilingual and science should be too. What about those scientists that are dealing with language and linguistics? Just English?
Shibabrata Pattanayak
Sir, the proposal is good but cannot be obligatory because there are many researchers who have language barriers like Chinese, Japanese, Brazilians, French , German, Spanish. But, as like face book, transitional options may be included for reaching maximum audience and their feedbacks.
Thanks
It should follow case by case, if the initial statement is in English, the followers should comment in English. Other languages are acceptable if the initials are in such languages.
Yes, I think so because English is a mutual language among researchers
Should RG allow only English !!!!!! Hard to contend !!!!!!
I will write in Kannada and Hindi too :) not technical answers but other stuff ...
According to me, English should be the only language of communication on RG. We can all understand each other.
In Poland, all significant technical and scientific journals publish articles only in English, and somehow we had to adapt.
That is my private opinion, but I will observe the further discussion with attention.
It is better to allow English only. But languages bear culture and traditions also. Along with it, some people are not/less easy with English.
Contributors from other languages should try to avail good translation of their works in English. RG should also ask translation (optional) from such users.
To my perspective, I would support English as I truly feel that there is replacement for English as a medium of instruction & there are several terminologies that just cannot be translated into regional languages.....
I can be agree with you Piotr Bętkowski . However, what can be said about literature and languages, which are better in their words, grammar and scripts. Journals of a language/literature are also only in their own languages generally.
Si non scribo in Inglese, che cosa puoi fare? Niente.
You can ask and answer in any language you want. There is no need for a normative regulation.
Natürlich werden die meisten Englisch verstehen, das spricht für Englisch.
Je ne comprend pas pourquoi ces sont tout les dogmatic anwers to this domanda here.
Do you think it should better allow the Q & A in English language only ? My answer is yes. The reasons have already been mentioned.
Regards
Although other languages are formally allowed, but if you ask your question in English, your audience will arise dramatically. The majority of people speak English.
I am not sure! Maybe allowing different languages make/bring more interactions, suggestions, ask questions, answer questions ..
If you answer to Landians only - let you answer Landian language...
For example, I know only 2 languages, and understand a little bit about 5-7 ones. Usually I read the first phrase (in order to understand the quality of the dish it is not necessary to eat the whole plate ... ), if it interests me, then I read the whole answer. Thus, I read no more than 10% of what I see in RG. If the answers are in other languages, then I see no incentive to expend efforts on translation (I think in Russian, if this is interesting someone). Then I will read no more than 1% of answers, besides non-Latin graphics (or non-Cyrillic, Greek alphabet we use for symbols) is a big obstacle. For example, if you look closely at a Turkic (for example, Turkish) text, you can see some clear words. Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Japanese, Arabic, etc. etc. for me it is necessary to translate "from scratch", and for this I haven't enougth time (and the wish, if say full truth).
Of course, other languages are allowed. But who will read this? In addition, in society it is impolite to speak a language that many do not understand.
Language is a means of communication. So, people can ask question in any language. If it is asked in English it will reach to many experts if asked in any other language only limited number of expert can response it. Its choice in my view.
If one is looking for specific answers from one nationality/language only then one needs to write the question in that language. It will have a limited audience, but that is what is required.
In the meantime the non-speakers will be wondering what is going on? Maybe a very brief summary in English will clarify the subject under discussion.
I think it is easy to ask and communicate with others through a common language understandable nearly by all which is English. However, there is no harm if anyone like to use their native or other language provided (optional) with an english abstract to reach us all.
The current tool of international communication in science and commerce is English. I can read many languages, but it always helps if a research work contains an abstract, keywords and conclusions in scientific English. However, as a personal representative of a 'minority' language, I do not like 'linguistic imperialism or hegemony', which can also impede new creative thought. The more logic and method we apply to our scientific thought, the less important becomes the use of a certain language. So, let cultural diversity flow and grow freely.
English is universally acceptable. However, option should be created for two additional international languages to carry a larger audience along.
There is a big difference between interpersonal and social communication. If I want to express myself very precisely - I use my native language. If I want to communicate with people who do not know Russian, I use English (although I can express 50% of what I want to say). But if I speak with a person for whom both of these languages are unknown, I use koine. There was no case that I could not explain to someone. I spoke once with compatriot whose English is even worse than mine (it is possible!!!). I asked him how he communicates with the Americans (at that time he often communicated with them). He replied: "No problem, I showing by my hands and they understand well..."
This question mentioned one important word ''allow...''. Do we really think that just one language should be allowed?! That is, in my opinion, very negative service to world's diversity and to its richness.
Of course that we all use English in some purposes - when we write our manuscripts and questions etc. But, as Lev Vygotsky found out many years ago - there is very important connection between our mind and the first language and that connection is starting when we are about two years old. That's why, our ideas, feelings etc. are in the best way expressed through the first language.
It's one thing to treat English as a common language of science, but it's quite different ''not to allow'' other languages.
Artur Braun
In my opinion, the problem of preserving the native language and the problem of language of international communication are completely different. The native language is preserved as long as it is spoken. In addition, a large role is played by the cultural level of a person. I often hear in Russian "traces" of English words, although many people know Russian equivalents. But many contemporaries simply did not master their vocabulary, replacing part of the words with a kind of averaged international vocabulary. So, in the case of Russian (I think for many other well-known languages), the use of English is not a consequence of high education, but, on the contrary, evidence of its absence. For the so-called "new" (and small) languages, the problem is different. These do not have the fullness necessary for functioning. This problem is solved in the FSU quite by simple way. Universities "Language commissions" are created, which come up with a list of terms for each field of knowledge. Then these local lists are coordinated "at the very top" and are given to unhappy professor/teachers as a guide to action. My good friend, an electrochemist, is obliged to lecture in the language "without scientific history." He spoke (we communicated with him in Russian): “I don’t understand what I am talking about, the students understand even less, but the authorities write rosy reports about the introduction of native language into teaching process...”
Most probably yes because English is the most widely spoken language in the world(International language)
In my opinion, researchers need to be free to express their research work in a language they are comfortable. This will help them in original thinking, natural expression and more confident. However , such research work may be made available in English and other languages for wider percolation and understanding.
Ashok Pundir
Who will translate? Many years ago I (only one time) gave article for translation by "professional translator". The grammatical tense were indeed translated immaculately, but instead of "Solid state chemistry" it was: "Chemistry of hard body". Very funny! Now I sometimes see similar "translations" ...
Researchers themselves may Organize translation to English for scientific papers for wider reach.
Any common languages should be allowed and RG should create “google translation type” multi language switch button. Every researches comfartable with their native language. In the Artificial Intelligence era, i think it can be done and should be able to be sorted.
English is widely understood and the medium of communication in science and commerce hence the best for RG.
Ashok Pundir
That do you mean, when wrote "Organize"? Does this mean I have to pay money for the translation? The services of highly professional translators who know the scientific terminology are very expensive, at least in my country. Further, I know here no more than 10 people who work under similar problems. It is not enough such a number of people, I am interested in the opinion of others when I am writing something. On the other hand, I know a whole country, where any scientific article is equipped with references to compatriots in 90% of cases. Why they are also published in English is not clear.
All languages should be available in Q & A or at least English, French and Arabic. English is a global language, and French has many sectors in Europe and Africa, Arabic as well as the language of large sectors of the Arab world and the Middle East. Researchgate as a global platform for researchers from all countries of the world who own these languages and others.
Mahmoud Ramadan Al-Azab
Your list is very short and, in my opinion, seems very voluntaristic. English, French and Arabic, it's good. But where are Chinese (majority of population and scientists), Spanish (at least firth in popularity), Hindi (great population with dynamic development), German (well known and fine developed scientific language), Japanese (highest quality of researches)? I will stop, anyway Portugese, Persian, Italian and many others (including Russians) will be angry... But maybe it makes sense to use one and same language for communication (despite the social, political and religious differences and ambitions)?
Translations by apps like Google Translate, as suggested by Emre Pakdemirli is not perfect at present. Translations by professionals from other fields as clarified by @Vadim S. Gorshkov, are also imperfect. Appropriate translation may be expensive. Therefore translated versions should be optional on RG.
It is more difficult for not native English speakers as me but my answer is absolutely yes! Unless you would prefer Latin as in Europe until middle age or languages with different alfabeths like chinese, hindi, russian or hebrew or arab and which will be the chosen one?? And why??
@Prabhat Ranjan, i did not say current google translation is perfect right now. Though improved a lot. But will be near perfect in the years to come. Google, Facebook, IBM or other giant providers back up very much about the Artificial intelligence (AI) developments. Hence, AI enhanced translators will be abundant in the near future.
Many thanks for your contribution on that matter.
AI enhanced ttanslatoes would solve the language barrier in every sector. I feel the time is about the come. I remember vividly when i took my 1st e-mail acount 20 years back and remember bought a cobble like heavy mobile phone in 1996. Time flies and language barrier in science will be a history in a decade or so.
I agree that English is the lingua franca, actually. However, there was never a decision about that. I was rather a development - for instance, in chemistry, from Latin to French to German to English. I think it is a good advice to any scientist to stay open-minded, and there is no reason to allow or forbid any language. Just like the acceptance of scientific theories is no matter of allowance.
Unfortunately , language is a comfort medium of communication , I mix Kannada and English when I talk and my Mommy doesn't say a word when she is mad at me :) so it should be on RG ...
Dear Dr Noui
انا أتفق معك تماما. أنا من أجل التواصل متعدد اللغات تحياتي الحارة
'iinaa 'atafiq maeak tamama. 'ana min ajl altawasul mutaeadid allughat tahiati alhara
In general our language in science is english, but a student or anybody who is not able to to write in english should feel free to ask a question in a language in which he is able to express his thougts. We should not be too zugenagelt.
I have one ''joke'' that remind me on this question (English and/or any other language). My colleague was disturbed because she thought that our surnames (mostly ending with ''ić'') don't sound ''scientific'' and that we have some troubles with publishing our research articles partly because of it. Her idea was to translate our surnames (and names, if it's necessary) in English. I was ''happy'' with that idea because it's very easy to ''translate'' my surname. It could be something like Wolf :)
I think we need to see English language not to be different from other languages. The real scientific language is GREEK, LATIN AND possibly what they now called dead languages. When a communication is establish within a particular group or two or more that is enough and that is language!
I will advise RG to inculcate language translator editor or ads. Because I hope to write a scientific paper in a Yoruba Language that will be more comprehensive and represent scientific underpinnings of natural science. Where we could look at Afose, Ewe Ogbo, Ewe ohun and ethnomedical practices.
I am bothered that my keyboard is English sensitive alone which we are hoping that this would be corrected and we could claim freedom for all.
Emmanuel Ayodeji Ayeni
It would be good if the ancient (dead) languages that you mention had a complete dictionary of modern science. But this is no. A language claiming to be international should be generally accepted, complete (in the sense of the content of the vocabulary) and unambiguous. In this sense, modern living languages have an obvious advantage. The disadvantage is one, but significant, language, used simultaneously as an international and as a spoken language, quickly splits into dialects. So modern English exists in English, American, Indian, Australian, etc. options. According to linguistic criteria, English English and American English are already different dialects (I'm not talking about pronunciation - there are even more options). If we recall slangs also (youth, professional, territorial, etc.) ... Therefore, it makes sense to talk about using not simly "English" for international communication, but "international English" (which is a subset or dialect of classical English). At international conferences, I saw how representatives of different English-speaking countries (such as the United States and India) do not understand or understand each other poorly, they are, in a sense, even in harder position, because they believe they write and speak English, although they mix the scientific and everyday language layers. Similar situations can arise in my country: if I try to speak with a local official in Russian literary (I can imitate local village, scholarly, literary, and even youth slang), and he will answer me in his political "Newspeak", we are not understand each other.
In conclusion - the story of life. My friend, who speaks English very well (compared to me at least), sat somehow with an English colleague in a London pub. At the next table, there were two pretty girls (in my friend's eyes) and chatted with each other. My friend tells to colleague: "I don’t understand a single word from their conversation!" A colleague answered: "Calm down, you shouldn't, they speak Cockney, but if you want to get to know them, your English will be quite enough ...".
Therefore, since we need a common language in order to understand each other, English is quite appropriate. We just have to understand that this is international English, which is a special dialect of the living language.
Analysis by Artur Braun and Vadim S. Gorshkov on need and development of common language and ability of people to learn new languages in their own ways, is acceptable. When the world is getting closer, common language is a need and people try to communicate in a common language to reach to wider groups. However, it is a slow process, and we have to keep some patience.
RG being a global platform, may ask English translation optionally. Any hard restrictions to other languages than English - may lessen interest to RG.
For me, it should be fine if it allows only English language because it will be very difficult to navigate thro questions/answers and it may open up with a new window for inappropriate remarks and also it will take away the benefit and would isolate the English users from learning and contributing.
Dear Gorshkov, I completely agree with you. But I stand to say we have over 6,500 spoken languages in the world today (Google). However, about 2,000 of those languages have fewer than 1,000 speakers. The most popular language in the world is Chinese with over 1Billion speakers people in the world that speak that language. Considering English alone and their enforcement on other people's makes me worry that you will lose your language and your great work in the future. Why don't we see English as a language and not a universal barrier to others. I agree with the different version of English speakers as Africa is not an exception. English shouldn't be supremacy as it is. We need a free world where your colour, languages etc won't stop your research and your presentations. In the field of sciences, there still heavy presences of Latinized and Greek word... "They make us see it as a dead language but still used it. In fact, it is universal in Botany, Zoology (natural science) Scientific words are still in Latinized words, some biology, physics symbols and chemistry terms are not English... They exist and you could check the old library for Greek and Latin dictionaries respectively.
I am not saying we are not in the universal world of English living but we have to promote other languages and see how we could think of reaching other parts that couldn't read English and that their papers couldn't be published just because they can't write in English.(language of the living)
So I still stand on this that RG should have translator tools to numerous languages for a wider coverage we all clamour for. Technology we do this for without affecting the language of living. In the field of Arts and Poetry, this language is no more a topic of discussion as we see now.
We shouldn't miss it, Every language matters.
I think that the preferred language should be all the same English. However, in personal correspondence you can write to your colleagues in their own language. That way you show your respect for them.
By the way, the lingua franca used in medicine -at least for diagnosis- is still Latin. I wouldn't necessarily trust my German physician to tell chickenpox from smallpox but rather varicella from variola.
Emmanuel Ayodeji Ayeni
Honestly, I did not understand your pathos. I talked about the universal language of scientific communication (in the natural sciences, of course. People involved in, for example, Russian literature researches, who do not know the Russian language (and I know these ...) - nothing more strange I can imagine). The fact that scientific terminology was formed with the participation of Latin, Greek and Arabic (algebra, for example) does not mean that we can (and moreother, should) communicate, for example, in Latin. Language and terminology are two different things. In addition to scientific terminology, the language contains a huge array of words, and the rules for these coordination. You should not close your eyes to the fact that the vast majority of modern scientific works are written in English (most of these by people for whom it is not native), because it is alive and fairly widespread (as opposed to the dead and artificial ones). As for imperialism, it is in the past and transferring to the language the attitude towards its former bearers is a big mistake.
It would be great if I could communicate with everyone in his language. But my little experience has shown that even one additional language is a big problem. I was once in Italy and began to understand Italian. But I will never reach such a level of knowledge of this language in order to adequately express my thoughts on it. Therefore, I prefer to have one foreign language, which is at least partially understood by others (namely language, not mentality). If someone is not able to learn even this one, then he does not need in the life. This is the choice of everyone. Therefore, if somebody will write to me using Swahili, for example, it mean, than he does not respect me. For the same reason, I do not write in Russian here. As I already wrote, it is impolite to use a language incomprehensible to most in the society.
The problem is not in the preservation of national languages (this can and should be done at home) and not in the dominance of American culture (which I, for example, am very ironic about). The problem is that humanity needs of a common language.
I believe the use of various languages should be encouraged and facilitated. As such, we may benefit from useful studies... that would otherwise be missed if only one language is used.
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