English (was Re: A few hums)

[Steve Silverman]

A few steps that might help:

All speakers to put the substance of what they are saying in words on
the slides.
People try to speak a little slower.  (This is hard to remember
especially when the chair says 1 minute more!)
A distinction between questions for clarification (asking what is
being said) versus
comments on the material.  The former should be taken first,
preferably immediately.
Some sort of signal (holding up a paper?  or blue index cards?) might
be used to signify a question of clarification.

Steve Silverman

> -----Original Message-----
> From: problem-statement-bounces at alvestrand.no
> [mailto:problem-statement-bounces at alvestrand.no]On Behalf
> Of Randy Bush
> Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2003 5:20 PM
> To: Dave Crocker
> Cc: problem-statement at alvestrand.no
> Subject: Re: English (was Re: A few hums)
>
>
> glad to provide a soapbox for your ongoing demagoguery, dave.  but
> do you have anything actually constructive to contribute?
>
> randy
>
> > RB> if we think we can solve the global
> multi-language/culture problem,
> > RB> why the heck don't we get real and work on world
> hunger and peace?
> >
> > 1. No one said "solve".
> >
> > 2. Thanks. Your responding with insulting hyperbole provides an
> > excellent demonstration of one of the "cultural" concerns
> that needs to
> > be worked on within the IETF. It is especially helpful to
> see that sort
> > of supportive contribution from an Area Director.
> >
> >
> > RB> let's face it, we live in a multi-lingual world,
> embarrassingly,
> > RB> american has become the lingua franca of our
> technology.  there
> > RB> are some simple (but hard) things folk can do to make
> themselves
> > RB> easier to understand, speak slowly and clearly, use no idioms,
> > RB> have clear slides which help folk read along, etc.
> >
> > Oh.  Nice of you to acknowledge that perhaps some things
> can be done.
> >
> > If everyone had your prior knowledge and distinctive
> sensitivity to
> > linguistic and cultural issues, then the topic would not
> have come up.
> >
> > I guess it is ok to remind people to turn off mobile
> phones and pagers,
> > but not to provide them with guidance about a speaking
> style that might
> > be helpful to non-native English listeners.
> >
> > d/
>
>