[fazzzoola]

Wouldn't it be much more enjoyable and inviting if all vugraph matches and commentators have English translators there at the same time? I get no enjoyment watching a match in some foreign country, where all the comments are in a language I do not understand.


I hope BBO can improve on that.

[gwnn]

I think BBO policy is to have an English commentary room for each non-English room. I think that's very fair and practical.

Translators would be interesting, but it would necessitate some new technology, potentially difficult to implement.

[diana_eva]

Usually open room has English commentary and closed room has commentary in that country's language. Sometimes, on rare occasions, organizers insist on different arrangements.

[BunnyGo]

I think that the current arrangement is fine and interesting. I know that when I want to understand a particular sentence or two of commentary, that google translate (translate.google.com) does a good enough job. I wonder if there'd be interest by BBO programmers and/or google programmers to set up a streaming translate of the rooms. Just a pie-in-the-sky thought. It's probably more trouble than it's worth.

[pirate22]

have some sympathy for writer of this article-I to
have experienced same -and lost interest...

another point-when kibing non english countries.
have no idea who persons are -no website to acces
information--this could be posted on Scheduled
programme-dates-type of comp-times--web site- etc etc

[Mbodell]

BunnyGo, on 2011-June-02, 14:29, said:

I think that the current arrangement is fine and interesting. I know that when I want to understand a particular sentence or two of commentary, that google translate (translate.google.com) does a good enough job. I wonder if there'd be interest by BBO programmers and/or google programmers to set up a streaming translate of the rooms. Just a pie-in-the-sky thought. It's probably more trouble than it's worth.

Google just last week announced they were shutting down the translate API to prevent this sort of use.

[peachy]

I would also find it much more enjoyable if all English commentary required to at least know common bridge terminology in English when commentating in English. Otherwise it becomes worthless when kibs stop trying to decipher what the person wanted to say.

Anyway, kudos to all the volunteers who are serving the kibitzers in the vugraph shows. And no kudos to the "I saw it first!" or "Spade now" crowd, nor to those who don't bother to do their homework for the event (often as little is needed as opening the link provided in the vugraph schedule).

[mrdct]

Why don't we round up all of the people who don't speak English and take them out the back and shoot them in the head. That way we could all live in this utopian world where we all speak the same language, have the same religion, eat the same food, wear the same clothes, have the same culture and play the same brand of bridge. Sounds like a blast.

[gnasher]

It does seem incredibly selfish of all these foreign vugraph commentators not to bother to learn English.

[gwnn]

mrdct are you saying that all people who speak English all have the same religion, eat the same food, wear the same clothes, have the same culture and play the same brand of bridge?

[peachy]

mrdct, on 2011-June-03, 03:56, said:

Why don't we round up all of the people who don't speak English and take them out the back and shoot them in the head. That way we could all live in this utopian world where we all speak the same language, have the same religion, eat the same food, wear the same clothes, have the same culture and play the same brand of bridge. Sounds like a blast.

Well, apparently my post and your response to it is a prime example of how difficult it can sometimes be to understand what a non-native English speaker wants to say. I am a non-native English speaker myself and can assure you that none of the above is what I meant.

[blackshoe]

Which fictional English character was it who said "Why can't the bloody French speak English like everybody else?" I think it was Bernie Wooster.

[aguahombre]

The French should be grateful to a lot of English speaking people that they are not speaking German today.

[fazzzoola]

Mbodell, on 2011-June-03, 00:16, said:

Google just last week announced they were shutting down the translate API to prevent this sort of use.

Perhaps technology is far enough advanced that it wouldn't be too much trouble. One can hope.

[fazzzoola]

mrdct, on 2011-June-03, 03:56, said:

Why don't we round up all of the people who don't speak English and take them out the back and shoot them in the head. That way we could all live in this utopian world where we all speak the same language, have the same religion, eat the same food, wear the same clothes, have the same culture and play the same brand of bridge. Sounds like a blast.

Why is it that the simple idea of having commentaries by experts be available in English as well be such a polarizing invective? I don't know whether to yell, curse, or simply ignore this dumb ass diatribe - maybe because it is such a dumb ass one?

[fazzzoola]

aguahombre, on 2011-June-03, 08:55, said:

The French should be grateful to a lot of English speaking people that they are not speaking German today.

This isn't supposed to be a political forum for misplaced social misfits. So, I'll just ignore the bovine feces being bandied about.

[aguahombre]

strange that a texan would make such a comment about a reference to World War II.....but, they are ignorant there.

This social misfit is proud of his service (different War) and was merely making an attempt at humor about the English and Americans saving France's butt.

This post has been edited by aguahombre: 2011-June-03, 19:13

[Rain]

I am pretty sure mrdct and gnasher were being facetious. And aguahombre also qualified his post as an attempt at humor, so let's leave this aside (they were not trying to be racist/abusive) and get back to topic.

fazzzoola, Roland tries his best to get English commentators almost every single vugraph that requires it, but don't forget this is all voluntary. And then there are stretches of time when vugraph runs day and night. If there are no commentators available, there are no commentators available. Not much we can do right now.
Also, when he does do it, usually it is 1 room English, 1 room native language, and not native language room *also* have english translator commentator.

If only google translation is possible as Mbodell(?) said. We're experimenting with putting the google translator code in lobby news right now. Some of the new articles will have it. But I can't see how this would work for instantaneous translation like that demanded by vugraph theatre.

Hope this helps.

[MrAce]

Excluding a few commentators, i prefer BBO vugraph comments to be made in a language that i don't understand.

[matmat]

I wish that original posters would choose the forum they post their drivel in more carefully; ensuring that their content matches the intent of the forum. Wouldn't it be more enjoyable if one could read general bridge discussion and not have to read about vugraph issues?