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Clarification on site rule 4 (Offensive language is not permitted)
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Thread poster: Marie-Hélène Hayles

Clarification on site rule 4 (Offensive language is not permitted)

Marie-Hélène Hayles

Italy
Local time: 05:17

Member (2004)
Italian to English
+ ...

Sep 17, 2009

I've recently found out that a longstanding and well-respected member of Proz has been placed on moderation for repeatedly using offensive language in their posts to the forums. They were informed of three specific words they had used which were considered offensive. I won't repeat them here for fear that this post would also be removed, but in my opinion - that is, from the point of view of a 40-year-old, native English speaking, British woman - there is nothing particularly offensive about any of them. In fact, I searched for their previous use in the forums, and the results were interesting: Word A (which I consider to be nothing more than mild slang) produced 421 hits in the forums; Word B (a relatively mild insult, no longer used in its literal sense) produced 57 hits and Word C (arguably the strongest term) has been used without comment in these forums on 86 different occasions.

It's actually not my intention to argue or invite public discussion on which words should or should not be considered as acceptable. However, I do think this issue should be discussed among staff and moderators in order that consistent moderation is applied. Naturally, it would be helpful if a list of words whose use is permitted were added to the appropriate rule.

[Edited at 2009-09-17 15:43 GMT]

Michele Johnson

Germany
Local time: 05:17
German to English
+ ...

Seems to depend considerably on mod

Sep 17, 2009

I know what postings you're talking about Marie-Hélène and couldn't agree more. What's more, the rule does not seem to be enforced consistently from mod to mod and from forum to forum, see e.g. http://www.proz.com/forum/getting_established/145387-my_profile_your_brutal_truth.html#1216378

Almost enough to make one think it's personal, isn't it?

Rebekka Groß

United Kingdom
Local time: 04:17

Member (2001)
English to German

Could it be due to the new moderators?

Sep 17, 2009

I don't know who or which words are referred to here so am totally impartial

but I'm wondering whether this was action by a new moderator and whether newly appointed moderators may interpret the rules more strictly and more literally than more seasoned moderators?

Jared

Argentina
Local time: 01:17

Member (2007)

SITE STAFF

Clarification on site rules and rules enforcement should be requested through the support system

Sep 17, 2009

Hello all,

Just a few points to make which might help clarify. Moderators and site staff use their best judgment when deciding to enforce http://www.proz.com/siterules/general/4#4 . Site rule http://www.proz.com/siterules/general/2#2 also talks about courtesy and professionalism, so a good rule of thumb may be to ask oneself when posting, "would I use X in addressing a colleague in a courteous, professional discussion?"

If you are aware of a rules violation, be it in the forums, KudoZ, or anywhere else on the site, the best course of action is to report it either to the moderator(s) for the given area, or to staff, through the support system.

Finally, clarification regarding site rules or rules enforcement actions should also be directed through the support system (see http://www.proz.com/siterules/forum/14#14 ). I'm locking this thread for this reason, but please feel free to use the support channel for further or more specific questions on this. Thanks.

Best regards,

Jared