Return-Path: <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost.nifl.gov [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.8.7/8.8.5) with SMTP id MAA17550; Tue, 2 Sep 1997 12:29:44 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 12:29:44 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <s40c077e.001@cal.org> Errors-To: lmann@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: Fran Keenan <fran@cal.org> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:1353] Moderator's note X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Novell GroupWise 4.1 Status: RO Content-Length: 2380 Lines: 58 What I realize from all of the heated back and forth on the issue of Spanish (or other language) use on this list is that the list itself has grown and changed considerably over the past two and a half years. We now have almost 400 subscribers (double what we had one year ago), who do not, for the most part, know each other. The list has "a life of its own" which is really a good thing for the most part. It is much more lively. However, as it grows, it changes its nature. It is personal but impersonal, cozy but anonymous. What is it like? a classroom? a collective? a town meeting? a publication? a telemarketing call? a living room? Why are we all subscribed? Do we expect the same things, surely not. The job of moderator has changed from being sort of a list cheerleader (please somebody, post something) to the harder one of trying to keep a focus in the midst of an increasing volume of postings. An e-mail list is not by nature a very orderly thing, which is part of the charm and part of the difficulty of "moderating" one. Nonetheless, it is my role to suggest ways in which this list can function more smoothly. My suggestions last week were that: 1. personal messages not get posted to the list (***the main point!***) and that... 2. postings be made in English so that the greatest number of subscribers (indeed, if not all subscribers) can understand them. Obviously there are benefits and joys and inherent rights to communication in all languages. My thinking was that it was to the benefit of this forum that we limit ourselves to communication in English. (Yes, limit ourselves). It is a convention, not a mindset. Point of clarification: This was not a government pronouncement (I don't work for any government). It's my personal suggestion as moderator of this list. On a truly moderated list, where all messages funnel through the moderator's e-mail box before being posted, a moderator has the ability (some would say duty) to filter out irrelevant, rude, or obscene mail. I do not have that ability and this list will continue to be self governed for netiquette violations. Thanks for the notes of support but let's get the focus off whether I was personally maligned and back onto the business of the list --sharing information about language and literacy education for adults in the United States. Fran Keenan NIFL-ESL moderator
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