Should a member respond to a question on the forum if they are not completely certain the answer is accurate?
This question was first posted on the Café, but one member recommended I post the question here.
Should a member respond to a question on the forum if they are not completely certain the answer is accurate? I read an answer from one administrator on a post last night that made me realize others may have a problem similar to mine.
I refrain from answering posts unless I have a reasonable certainty of my response (dictionary, personal experience, documentation, etc.), but I have answered some questions inaccurately or wrong altogether. Sometimes my responses seem entirely rational, but a native speaker or other member closer to the language or application will answer and prove my response in error.
It has happened to me at least twice this week. I have tried to "bow out" in both circumstances, but I certainly do not intend to mislead anyone. I believe I will cut back on my responses to include only those of which I have significant pesonal experience. But that isn't restricted enough, either, since I often hear phrases and sentences in my Spanish community that would be considered inaccurate on this forum.
Does anyone else have this problem? I'm here to learn Spanish, but I don't want to mislead anyone. Thanks!
Thanks to all for your great responses to this post. It is difficult to select a best answer, but I think Lorenzo has it by a nose since his last answer gave the best laugh I've had all day!
Ironically, I have responded to two questions since this post. I now see both responses are questionable, but at least they are qualified with a caveat. Everybody, please correct me if I'm wrong on a post or response.
Thanks again!
14 Answers
Answering questions is part of the learning process and so is making mistakes. Even native speakers aren't 100% correct about things they are sure of in their own language and everyone makes mistakes. If every post had to be perfect and written by an expert with absolute certainty, there wouldn't be many posts here.
I think there is a big difference between posting something in terms of:
"This here is the absolute truth, and the definitive answer to this question",
and
"I think / I believe / I suggest the answer is xxxyyy zzz."
The first type of answer is only permitted to Lazarus, because he truly knows everything, to Heidita, because she's THE Queen and has the final say in the Forum, and myself, just because I'm so cool 
.
But seriously, if you're not sure about your answer, just say so, and it's OK. Just don't make it sound like it is the correct answer.
I suspect that I may be the person referred to in this post!
One thing to keep in mind is that there are a variety of words that are considered correct in different parts of the Spanish speaking world.
For example, I happened to use the word "chévere" just as a lark here in Mexico 2 days ago and was told by a good friend to "never. never use that word here". I was stunned; I thought it was at least commonly understood to mean "cool", but apparently in this neck of the woods it is only said by people who think they are better than other people! So, I guess I will save "chévere" for Venezuela and stick with "padre" for Mexico!
Several examples could be pointed out in the English-speaking world also; in fact, I have seen posts asking questions about American English in which some of the answers were to the effect that there is no such word in English, or that a specific grammatical structure is never used, when - in fact - it is used commonly in the United States.
My general approach to the forum is twofold: I presume that when people are posting they are making their best effort and that if there are a variety of answers, it is up to me to do the research to determine if there is a regional difference or if someone is in error.
It is important for all of us to make room for variations of language and to also realize that we sometimes make mistakes.
Fortunately, the Spanishdict community is a wonderful group of people, and we help each other by cheering our successes and politely correcting our errors.
¡Viva Spanishdict! And thanks for the thoughtful post.
We learn from our mistakes.
The experience of wounded pride has seared more than one lesson into my memory. In a way, it is the greatest teacher.
I don't respond with confidence if I don't know for certain, but I might respond and hint that confirmation from un hispanohablante (native Spanish-speaker) would be appreciated.
Also, there is some benefit from seeing another make a mistake. It bonds us, one to the other, in the same boat of camaraderie labeled, "People Learning Spanish." Or, I learn from other's mistakes, too.
I believe I will cut back on my responses to include only those of which I have significant pesonal experience. But that isn't restricted enough, either, since I often hear phrases and sentences in my Spanish community that would be considered inaccurate on this forum.
I don't think that you should necessarily cut back on your responses, but if you feel it necessary, it might be helpful to preface your answers with certain details, such as:
I have heard people in my neighborhood say....
I have seen this used in (some source, i.e. book, magazine, online blog, etc)...
According to (some source)......
I generally feel the same way as you do about posting responses in that I tend to second guess myself quite frequently. Because of this, I generally try to verify my own experience with outside sources before posting any type of definitive answer.
In any case, if you post something that turns out to be incorrect (i.e. information which you were initially led to believe was correct), and someone decides to correct it, this will provide you (and others who may be taking their cues from a similar source) an opportunity to learn the correct information.
I think Gekkosan is absolutley correct!(Again!).
It is the way you present you thought. You may very well be correct, and we all will learn from your answer. If as Gekko says you preface your answer with, "I believe the answer is, " than that leaves everybody a little wiggle room.
The fact that you show concern for this issue, shows me that you are a a considerate person and a great addition to this forum!
The Richter scale of incorrect posts:
- comment pointing out your error
- post pointing out your error
- post with quote explaining your error in detail
- comment and a post explaining your error
- comment and a post that not only explains your error, but expresses dismay over how you could ever have been so stupid as to post it
- comment, a post explaining your error with the dismayed comment, and a PM to make sure you got the message
- persisting in defending your incorrect posts until you are banned
I've hit 1-6, but I'm trying to avoid a 7. 
I think you've been given all the keys needed here to be a responsible and valued member the forum - basically - go for it, answer what you want - if you have some solid reason for your answer then say so but if you really have no idea and it's nothing more than a guess but you just wanted to try it out, say that too! At least it made you think and may have provided the motivation for some research.
I just answered a post yesterday with a suggestion that was fairly off the wall but added the caveat "actually I'm probably totally making that up".
This comment should safely put the answer into the realm of 'beware of using this one' and then hopefully someone who really knows what they're talking about will come along and confirm for the questioner that yes, Kiwigirl totally made that up, or shock horror, yes that actually works! (not likely at all lol) I did also add a couple of other suggestions underneath that were safer choices and may have a little more value lol. It's all part of the fun!
I think that something is better than nothing. If I were you I would see an answer that somebody had posted and check it myself... if it's wrong, work it out from there. Better to be seeing a possible answer than none atall.
Even native speakers aren't 100% correct about things they are sure of in their own language and everyone makes mistakes.
You're wrong, Lorenzo. I am 100% certain that not everything I write is correct. See? I am 100% sure about what I just wrote!
I struggle with the same issue, and answer far fewer questions than I when I started. I think your approach is good- If you have reasonable confidence, answer, recognizing that sometimes you will be wrong and have to learn from it. If you really don't know for sure, then don't answer. In all the answers I have seen from you, I think you do well at finding that balance point. I think it is helpful when we have confidence that someone with more knowledge will come behind us and (gently) correct us when we are wrong.
No mistakes=No feedback
Mistakes=correction=feedback=learning These are good equations to live by
on this forum. 
Well, I really don't knwo why peopel say that I ma not always certain fo what I wirte!!!
I dno't even make typos any moer!!!
The Quene salutes yuo!!
I'm pretty sure I qualify virtually any answer I give, often suggesting the op waits for an advanced/native speaker's input.
Sometimes if there are already answers I'll just vote and 'watch' the question so I see what's happening with it, sometimes if there have been no answers and I have no/little idea, I'll pop in a quick answer to that effect to bump the post up, and I'll 'watch' it.
I like to ensure that any but the most ridiculous (ie, something that will be flagged) questions have at least one vote, and I also like to ensure that new members get a starting vote so they can edit their own posts.
Same with answers, a vote for a decent attempt at an answer. Not that I'm here for the votes, quantity-wise, but it's encouraging to see the votes and badges being given for one's efforts.
(I believe!) That's a great question and very nicely worded, Dogwood.
