Warm greetings all,
Please allow me to add a contribution to Dayan's wonderful post. Being a language teacher and someone who can communicate in four languages and trying to learn the fifth, I can confirm that, in spite of English being our time's so-called universal language, as Latin and French were in the past, it is obvious that many people either don't master it properly, or simply never had the chance to learn it. Those who use other languages on this platform are not being mean by definition, maybe only a bit clumpsy, or even more probably, a bit tired of being despised for their inability to use English properly. I have already been on many free tables where people did make an effort to communicate, using very simple words, or taking a very long time to respond.
Also, if I may make a few suggestions to the original poster:
- Kindness and patience might be a better approach. Have you already tried to open a conversation by using very basic vocabulary? When the other person feels that you are doing your best to get to know them, they will almost certainly return your effort by trying to have an exchange with you.
- Have you thought of using this opportunity to start learning a new language and enlarge your own horizon? It would be a splendid occasion, given that their are already people on the playroom with whom you can practise. There are about 7000 languages around, and believe me they are all expressive, beautiful and interesting. In addition, learning languages will maintain your brain's health!
In my humble opinion, linguistic diversity is among the most precious things we have on this platform, and it would be sad to restrict it. We can learn from each other, help each other, without stygmatising anyone. I've been kicked from tables countless times, without even knowing why. Just go forward, join another table or, even better, create your own.
Happy chatting!