Ambiguity wrt foul language

[Dibbun]

The discussion is helping a non-native English speaker understand which words are banned, which words are acceptable, and why. Troll noob derailed the topic, read the OP for greater clarity.

[Woodruff]

The discussion is helping a non-native English speaker understand which words are banned, which words are acceptable, and why. Troll noob derailed the topic, read the OP for greater clarity.

I've read the original post, and I agree wholeheartedly with it. It's simply illogical for a word such as "retard" to be considered acceptable when equally offensive words are not considered acceptable. More consistency in this issue is absolutely necessary.

[natty dread]

Sexism is supposedly banned, but "cunt" is allowed, so not sure how one can be sexist unless the use that word.

You don't seem to understand the definition of "sexism".

[Royal Panda]

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=149454

Serious suggestion here. Input from all sides of the argument welcome. If someone has a better suggestion, I'm all ears.

[Dibbun]

The discussion is helping a non-native English speaker understand which words are banned, which words are acceptable, and why. Troll noob derailed the topic, read the OP for greater clarity.

I've read the original post, and I agree wholeheartedly with it. It's simply illogical for a word such as "retard" to be considered acceptable when equally offensive words are not considered acceptable. More consistency in this issue is absolutely necessary.

Because as the rules are written, words that can be construed as offensive to the mentally challenged are not disallowed. They are not a "protected group" in the Bigotry guidelines.

[Woodruff]

The discussion is helping a non-native English speaker understand which words are banned, which words are acceptable, and why. Troll noob derailed the topic, read the OP for greater clarity.

I've read the original post, and I agree wholeheartedly with it. It's simply illogical for a word such as "retard" to be considered acceptable when equally offensive words are not considered acceptable. More consistency in this issue is absolutely necessary.

Because as the rules are written, words that can be construed as offensive to the mentally challenged are not disallowed. They are not a "protected group" in the Bigotry guidelines.

I recognize that. Which is THE ENTIRE POINT of the original post. More consistency in this issue is absolutely necessary.

[jgordon1111]

my personal belief on this matter is this simply put/all here are reasonably intelligent people/and are aware of society's view on certain words in the english language/to use them on this site in any form shows blatant disregard for another person/whether the person being called one of these names even correctly falls into the named category/to do it because you are mad at an opponent during game play only shows poor sportsmanship on your behalf/the connotation of some words have changed in the last century and are no longer considered outside the decorum that society accepts/those should be the strongest used on cc/and then the ones at the top of the list of society no no list should not be used at all ever/example the name of my clan does not carry the same stigma it did fifty years ago/so we use it proudly/ on the other hand if you use fa**** here you clearly did not mean a bundle of sticks or a cigarettes/and should be censored for doing so/oh by the way i am a bastard in real life/and do not take offense to the word i have known all my life exactly what it meant and looking at some relationships now days i csee no difference between myself and others who had both parents

[MichelSableheart]

@Dibbun: I would have expected those with mental disabilities to be a protected group because they fall either under "any group of people" or "etc" in the bigotry guidelines.

and are aware of society's view on certain words in the english language

This is the sentence I can't agree with in your reasoning. Because the society (outside the internet) I am part of does not use the english language, I am not (entirely) aware which words in the english language are considered by society to be too vulgar to use. Besides, which part of society is the measure?

[Dibbun]

@Dibbun: I would have expected those with mental disabilities to be a protected group because they fall either under "any group of people" or "etc" in the bigotry guidelines.

and are aware of society's view on certain words in the english language

This is the sentence I can't agree with in your reasoning. Because the society (outside the internet) I am part of does not use the english language, I am not (entirely) aware which words in the english language are considered by society to be too vulgar to use. Besides, which part of society is the measure?

Quit arguing then when I explain shit.

Bigotry includes racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia/sexual orientation bashing, religion bashing, lack of religion bashing, or wishing violence on any group of people, etc.
Bigotry takes into account historic events, emotional baggage and generally accepted associations with a term, phrase or intent - posting "White Power" in a topic has a history and is bigoted, posting "Green Power" makes you an environmentalist.

If I said "all the mentally retarded should be killed" in chat, then that would be a violation under "any group of people" because they are a group, and I would be would be wishing violence upon them. Just by saying "retard" does not wish violence upon them, and does not use a term which is bigoted against a protected group.

[Royal Panda]

Dibbun is actually being bigoted in his viewpoint.

"A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance, and animosity toward those of differing beliefs."

He is refusing consistently to accept that a non English speaker may not have fully clear instructions, despite it being explained to him many times. This is obstinate, and intolerant. He is also showing animosity. A clearer case of bigotry you could never see. Is he wishing violence on his counterpart? Who knows?

[Dibbun]

Don't pretend like you give a shit about Michel. You're just confusing him with your POV-pushing of what the rules should be, I am helping him by explaining what the rules are.

Take your agenda elsewhere.

[BoganGod]

Dibbun is actually being bigoted in his viewpoint.

"A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance, and animosity toward those of differing beliefs."

He is refusing consistently to accept that a non English speaker may not have fully clear instructions, despite it being explained to him many times. This is obstinate, and intolerant. He is also showing animosity. A clearer case of bigotry you could never see. Is he wishing violence on his counterpart? Who knows?

He is just a kid that I'm sure wouldn't be displaying his youth and ignorance so much if his parents knew he was online as much as he is. I have him on foe, so I don't have to read the dribble.

Ambiguity exists even between different english speaking nations. I think I've used the analogy already of the word fanny. Arse/more correctly buttocks in american english. Vagina/vulva/female genitalia in aussie/kiwi english. Big difference. That is just between english speaking nations. So I pity a english as a 2nd language speaker trying to understand the selective enforcement of bigotry guidelines on this site.

[JBlombier]

I know some mods read the Gen. Disc. forum regularly, so the fact that no mods have responded to this legitimate thread is a bit concerning. We have people here who want to follow the community guidelines and ask for an explanation, but no explanation is given from above. Dibbun says he wants to help explaining, perhaps not in a way all of you like, but that's actually irrelevant. Because he's just a user and can never know what the mods really think about this. The feeling it is really a random process whether a warning is given or not, starts sneaking up in my mind more and more often when I read this thread.

For the record, I'm also not a native speaker and also want to follow the community guidelines. And I am not alone in this. It's strange that showing good manners doesn't pay off.

[MichelSableheart]

Have to agree with JBlombier that it would be nice to see some explanations from those in power. I assume their lack of reaction means the issue is being discussed internally?

For now, I guess I'll have to use the guideline posted by Dibbun in the suggestions thread (commenting on playing ability is unlikely to be bigoted, comparing someone to a particular group is), even though precedence seems to indicate this does not fully capture the rule as it is currently used.

[Woodruff]

Don't pretend like you give a shit about Michel. You're just confusing him with your POV-pushing of what the rules should be, I am helping him by explaining what the rules are.
Take your agenda elsewhere.

Michel clearly understands what the rule is. What he doesn't understand is how that rule will impact him based on what he says, due to the ambiguity within that rule.

[Woodruff]

Have to agree with JBlombier that it would be nice to see some explanations from those in power. I assume their lack of reaction means the issue is being discussed internally?

I used to think you were a pretty rational thinker, Michel. <laughing>

[jgordon1111]

you are correct my answer was purely based on those that have english as their first language my apologies/but as such they know what is and is not acceptable/i am aware every language however has its own taboo and phrases/to use any of them here no matter the culture or language you arise from is quite disagreeable/you know better/and if you are using a language you are not prolific in always air on the side of caution/if unsure dont do it

[MichelSableheart]

I used to think you were a pretty rational thinker, Michel. <laughing>

It was the only acceptable explanation for their complete silence on the subject I could think of, and I prefer to think the best of people.

[oVo]

I don't find claiming "ignorance" to the meaning of slang words
as a justifiable excuse for the use of vulgar vocabulary to
insult other players. People know what they are saying as their
intent is never vague.

Michel's use of the English language is more articulate than many
of the posters on this site and it's hard to imagine him getting
reprimanded for anything says here... that wasn't intentional.

It's also hard to imagine anyone posting on this site getting
in trouble for a civil exchange of words.

Use of any slang expression as a pejorative* response will always be suspect,
and being held accountable for your words shouldn't be a surprise.

* Pejorative: having a disparaging, derogatory, or belittling effect.