Bias and group forming in KudoZ દોર પોસ્ટ કરનાર: golf264
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golf264 
યૂનાઇટેડ સ્ટેટસ્
Local time: 18:49
અંગ્રેજી થી ડચ
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I wanted to ask you if any of you notice this in your specific language combination (s).
In the language pair in which I work, it appears to be strongly present. However, it's one of those things that can be difficult to prove.
If someone outside of the popular clique (I dare to say that it consists of about 8-13 users, but I'm not sure) will answer a Kudoz question he or she is drilled into the ground by means of negative comments or 'disagree'-votes. If someone from o... See more I wanted to ask you if any of you notice this in your specific language combination (s).
In the language pair in which I work, it appears to be strongly present. However, it's one of those things that can be difficult to prove.
If someone outside of the popular clique (I dare to say that it consists of about 8-13 users, but I'm not sure) will answer a Kudoz question he or she is drilled into the ground by means of negative comments or 'disagree'-votes. If someone from outside asks a question an intentionally wrong or vague answer is proposed, which becomes echoed by someone else from within the group. The same applies to any "disagree'- vote. One for all and all for one.
The people inside the clique post regularly, they have nothing to fear. There are a few users that so dominate the forum that they seem to shove out any stranger or newcomer People from the clique also earn a lot of points, because they award each other points when choosing an answer.
This does not have to be based on actual factual correctness or accuracy of the suggested translations, sometimes even the lesser right or vaguer answer is chosen.
Also personal attacks happen sometime I notice. Some people accuse you of not mastering the language, and try to prove this through examples. However, there are numerous errors in their own responses, they take these for granted, and want to ignore them, which is the hypocritical part. Thus, the clique remains and competition from newcomers from outside the clique or group is limited.
I wonder if you also notice cliques, and if so, what role do you have? Are you neutral, a member of the clique, or do you find yourself outside? Please give answer as honestly as possible, there is no harm or benefit from lying, not even to yourself.
I am trying to determine how prevalent this problem is, and whether and how it may then be solved. But it must first be identified in any case. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Post removed: This post was hidden by a moderator or staff member because it was not in line with site rule | | In a word, no | Oct 22, 2014 |
In my pair (FR-EN) there are indeed a certain number of names that appear more frequently than others, and earn more points, but this is because they provide good, carefully thought-out and well supported suggestions. Sometimes I feel that a less good answer has been chosen over a better one; sometimes a translation I don't like gets lots of "agrees" (and may or may not be chosen by the asker), but I've never felt that it had anything to do with the person answering, but more to do with the judg... See more In my pair (FR-EN) there are indeed a certain number of names that appear more frequently than others, and earn more points, but this is because they provide good, carefully thought-out and well supported suggestions. Sometimes I feel that a less good answer has been chosen over a better one; sometimes a translation I don't like gets lots of "agrees" (and may or may not be chosen by the asker), but I've never felt that it had anything to do with the person answering, but more to do with the judgement of the asker.
P.S. You can see by looking that my KudoZ history that I am certainly not part of the kind of clique you describe, so I hope you'll take my contribution at face value!
[Edited at 2014-10-22 21:45 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Against the use of the disagree button | Oct 22, 2014 |
Hi, golf 264,
You probably are a new member and are still conquering your space in this forum. Professional spaces usually involve a lower or higher degree of competition. In this aspect a translator forum is no exception. However I think there are two ways of conquering your ground:
1-By your personal ability to make yourself respected as a person.
2-By your ability to make yourself respected as a translator.
In the forum of one of my language pairs we have a tacit agree... See more Hi, golf 264,
You probably are a new member and are still conquering your space in this forum. Professional spaces usually involve a lower or higher degree of competition. In this aspect a translator forum is no exception. However I think there are two ways of conquering your ground:
1-By your personal ability to make yourself respected as a person.
2-By your ability to make yourself respected as a translator.
In the forum of one of my language pairs we have a tacit agreement not to use the disagree button. After all, you are not your peer´s language teacher!Differences are usually solved in the discussion section. It works very well, people become more collaborative when they feel that they are accepted and respected. ▲ Collapse
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Natasha Ziada (X)
ઓસ્ટ્રેલીઆ
Local time: 08:49
અંગ્રેજી થી ડચ
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| No such thing | Oct 23, 2014 |
I know what incident you're referring to, and I just wanted to clarify that, as far as I know, there is no such thing as clique forming or bias within the EN - NL language pair. There may be a 'hard core' of frequent answerers, but amongst those there is as much disagreement over proposed answers as there is agreement. Points are generally earned on their merits - those that provide well-referenced, clearly explained answers tend to gather more points.
As a relative newcomer myself ... See more I know what incident you're referring to, and I just wanted to clarify that, as far as I know, there is no such thing as clique forming or bias within the EN - NL language pair. There may be a 'hard core' of frequent answerers, but amongst those there is as much disagreement over proposed answers as there is agreement. Points are generally earned on their merits - those that provide well-referenced, clearly explained answers tend to gather more points.
As a relative newcomer myself I have been caught up in heated discussions sometimes, but I've never felt these to be part of some sort of set-up, nor have I felt excluded from participating. I will only award points to answers I agree with, and vice versa, and as far as I knows most others do so as well.
The incident you're referring to had more to do with people getting personal towards each other and perhaps not being as polite as they could have been. That's a different thing altogether and has nothing to with people's integrity in using Kudoz. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Maija Cirule
લટ્વીઆ
Local time: 01:49
જર્મન થી અંગ્રેજી
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| Yes, I have noticed this | Oct 28, 2014 |
In my pair LV to ENG there are some translators, who propose an intentionally wrong or vague answer, which becomes echoed by someone else, mostly hiding behind an assumed name. I don't think that it is a "clique" rather than bruised ego of some people with extremely low self-esteem. In any case, this is a childish and miserable behaviour.
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