Spanish for the Non-initiative?
Maybe the site should be renamed "Spanish for the Non-initiative." We get so many questions about the meaning of a word or phrase that could easily be answered by a click of the 'Translate' button on the top of the Q&A page. There, I got that off my chest. (Please excuse the English idiom.)
6 Answers
Let me begin by saying I understand how these questions irritate you/others.
As I see it, perhaps new people are not using the translator because they simply want to 'break the ice' and let their presence as an SD member be known so that they can begin participating in a worthwhile manner? If they used the translator, how would they 'jump in' to the forum and make friends?
It's really quite difficult to think of an 'intelligent' question to ask about a new language, especially for someone who has just started to learn a few days ago when all they really want to do is participate in a learning forum.
To me, many of them are just looking for support and guidance and don't really think about how that first question would irritate some of the 'older' members.
Maybe it would be better to ignore questions from someone with a 0-0-0 feedback just in case the question is irritating for you. You can tell about feedback by mousing over their avatar.
Personally I think there are more important things in life to worry about without getting your knickers in a knot over the use (or non use) of a translator by a newbie, but that's just the way I see it. Cheers and I hope everyone is having a whale of a day.
Yes, I was referring to your post... :-D
Nothing wrong with the translator. other than giving you from time to time a mangled translation. Yes, I am one who advises not to use the translator as a translator, because besides giving you bad translations it is the equivalent of "I want to develop muscles, but would you lift the weights for me?" situation, which leads to nowhere.
Nothing wrong with using the translator as a dictionary, though. But that still leaves you with the undesirable position of not understanding anything because most likely you, rhetorically speaking, are trying to translate literally from your native language to Spanish, the latter being the language you wish to conquer and do not understand.
See the folly here?
;-D
Edit: I didn't read far enough... but I wasn't making fun of you, and if I were to do that, it would be most likely to a reference that is so obvious and that you or somebody else is missing.
I know is my prerogative, but I try not make it derogatory... C? ;-D
In this post I was moved to reply because you stated that you have been, as others, advised not to use an electronic translator, and I stayed with that.
All that is fine and dandy, but there are rules, which I am not sure the new people care about reading or sticking to them, for that matter.
Now, for one reason or another, I think these people know if they enter whatever phrase into the translator they are not going to get a straight easy answer, so they opt to just go ahead and "participate" in the forum, as Margherite wants to believe.
I don't get mad, but i rather laugh at that situation/people.
I want to develop big muscles, can you lift the weights for me? Thanks.
The 2nd pet peeve is asking for homework answers before trying to answer it yourself.
I think you meant to write non-initiated. I believe the better term is non-intuitive.
Best advice: Help others if it makes you happy. Otherwise stay out of it.
All that is fine and dandy,
I love that phrase 'fine and dandy' Chileno. I hope you were referring to my post
Now, for one reason or another, I think these people know if they enter whatever phrase into the translator they are not going to get a straight easy answer
Exactly! Yes my dear, you are correct. The key word is 'straight'. How many times have I (and other beginners) been told not to use a translator because they are not reliable? I've been told that many times. In fact, I've been told it's much better to ask a native speaker in order to get a correct translation. So what's wrong with bypassing a machine?
Also, what is wrong with what I want to believe? If you are laughing at me, that's your perogative. It's no skin off my nose. (I love that phrase too!) I don't get mad or frustrated for that matter. I just don't understand why it is necessary to flog a dead horse.
What was the point of the question (not mine, the original)? It would have been better (in my humble opinion) to direct this type of flack directly at the person who didn't use the translator, not at the forum in general. I believe in free speech for everyone, however I also believe that complaints should be directed to the instigator of the irritation. As a matter of fact, this 'irritation' has come up numerous times in past posts. If one actually did a search (per SD rules), they could find them. 
I'm bringing tea with lemon so we can both relax. I can't help you with your muscles, but if you keep laughing at these situations, you are going to develop cheeky chops all by yourself.
