Barry Leiba <barryleiba(_at_)computer(_dot_)org> wrote:
That does seem better, but don't all parties have an obligation to
attempt
to communicate clearly?
The new text is as follows:
Participants, particularly those with English as a first language,
attempt
to accommodate the needs of other participants by communicating
clearly.
Participants try to accommodate each other.
I agree with Scott that the stuff between the commas doesn't belong
here.
That is, it doesn't belong *here*; it can certainly go into a sentence
or paragraph with advice for native English speakers. Consider
something like this instead:
Participants must do their best to accommodate the needs of other
participants by communicating clearly. When faced with English that
is difficult to understand, we must all make the effort to understand
it
nonetheless, engaging in conversation to clarify what was meant.
Native English speakers, in particular, should be careful with the use
of slang and cultural references that might not be well known to
everyone.
That might not be exactly right; please try to understand me, and
tweak as necessary.
I do think that's better. In my experience, once code of conduct type language
is codified, eventually someone will try to use it as a hammer. It needs to be
crafted with this assumption in mind.
Thanks,
Scott K