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One of the best things about hive is the ability to travel the world at the click of a button; There's users from every corner of the world and I love meeting and engaging with them! 

I like learning things, understanding people's perspective or simply seeing places I haven't yet been in the real world all through other people's eyes. Hive brings that ability in a way that means far more than other social medias. It connects us and promotes *community.*
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Along with virtual-world-travel comes language differences and challenges though; I only speak one language proficiently; A little Italian and French also but English is my first and only proficient language. I write in English, respond to posts in English and mostly do not look at posts in other languages because I simply cannot read them.

I don't often use translators as I struggle to find the time and most translators mess up the translation anyway making posts less enjoyable. I *have translated comments* left on my posts occasionally - I guess to be polite. But I find it time-consuming and have been doing it less and less. It probably means I'm missing out on some nice commenting and engagement although I have to fit everything in and so I am translating fewer comments. 

I was thinking that my posts are all written in English and if a reader has translated it to their own language to read it makes sense that they could translate their return-comment to English before posting it right? It would mean their comment has a better chance of gaining traction and I see it as a matter of courtesy, *language courtesy.*

*Yes*, I could translate the comment text myself but wouldn't it be nice not to have to? If I were to engage and connect with non-English posts I guess I'd feel it's *important to return-comment in that language also.* It just seems polite and respectful and may make it easier for that person to engage back with me.

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#### There may be an easy solution

I welcome engagement on my posts and don't mind where it comes from; I also really value bilingual posts where an English translation is included. It's helpful and allows me more scope to curate it as I cannot curate words I can't read.

But a lot of the time comments to my posts in languages other than English don't get much of my time because I have a lack of time, just in the same way posts in other languages don't, *because I can't read them*. It's a shame as I'm always happy to engage and build connections.

I think it could work out better for everyone if the person attempting engagement was to translate their comment *into the language of the post they are commenting upon*, especially if they have translated that post to read in the first place! 

By doing so they help the post-author to respond more easily and it gives everyone a chance to engage and connect a little more efficiently - It's a win-win situation in my opinion, a nicer scenario.

Commenting on people's posts is a good way to get on their radar; It runs a flag up your *profile-flagpole* signalling your willingness to engage and build relationships; I applaud people who do *outbound communication* and encourage it but feel a little more effort could be made to translate that comment into the right language as a sign of respect and to pave the way a little more smoothly. Showing language courtesy will go a long way towards opening doors - Many do this well already but many do not.

I'm not suggesting that posting outside of a person's own language is required, or even bilingual posting for that matter...Just that it may be more beneficial to open up relationships with others in their own language. It could be a great ice-breaker and go a long way towards opening the relationship more effectively...It's no different to what we would probably do if travelling in a foreign country I think - Open conversations in the relevant language.
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So tell me, what are your thoughts on the matter? Are you happy to translate incoming comments and if so do you reply in your own language or translate into theirs? Do you take the time to translate posts into your own language or simply move on? Let me know your ideas on it...Maybe we need a translator built into the blockchain? Maybe we all need to learn more languages, or just some language courtesy. What do you think and how can we make cross-language engagement more effective?

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Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - *Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind*

<sub>Discord: galenkp#9209</sub>


Track: Because *"a vous J'avoue..."* - ***<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T9OhOnvS8U">Vous</a>***

<sub>The image is me working.</sub>