Fediverse

If you answer in the language you know best, it'll be easier to others to understand or translate, especially if it's English.

You could translate your message to match the language of the comment, but if you don't know the language, how can you know if it conveys your message correctly?

Overall, I'd say it depends on the specific community. If you try to inject yourself into a conversation in a Japanese language community, it may indeed come off as rude or ignorant.

The best solution may be to post in both languages?

This seems very rude. I see foreigners do this all the time. they take over subreddits that aren't designed for them.

I guess, you could try to reply in Esperanto,it's most non offensive language I know.

I'd say, personal preference. There will always be some people that are going to be annoyed by it.

We lack a translate button. Rednote and weibo have translate buttons. We need that.

Also ich würde behaupten, dass es in der Tat nicht sehr cool ist einfach in einer anderen Sprache zu antworten.

Generally Japanese posters enjoy knowing they have fans overseas! And it's better to type what you intend than attempt to type in a language you cannot speak. It doesn't look rude at all though~

I would be a little careful of words with opposite meanings though or idioms. Like "that song is sick" or "that's tight". Be direct with your post so the auto translator can pick it up properly.

いや、大丈夫だよ。

Honestly though, I think it depends on the context. I think it's generally OK on open multilingual platforms especially with mixed audiences.

I see lots of English comments on Japanese vocaloid videos, for example, and I think most content creators enjoy having fans from abroad.

Don't do this in [email protected]
https://feddit.org/post/2221909?scrollToComments=true

I'd be wary about using a translator, even if you use one that accounts for grammar and double meanings like deepL. Tho that's based on a comment I saw from game developer Katsuhiro Harada. He says he prefers English speaking players just type in English so he can translate himself cause oftentimes the player will translate something incorrectly and confuse him. All in all it really depends on who I guess.

Only if I have to, and I include the Google translate so they know I'm clueless.

Are you learning japanese? You might enjoy trying. Duolingo has a free tier which is annoying but the annual sub is reasonable (c. £60) if you look for offers.

Firefox will offer translations. On both sides.

Given the choice between not knowing an answer and having to translate it (using a built-in translator) I'd prefer the answer, but you could always use the translator for them even if the output is garbage-Japanese.

Taking offence is a choice.

If that's the only language you have to communicate, I'd say more power to you. If you can translate what you're saying using online tools, that might better facilitate communication and conversation.

I wouldn't consider it rude in the Danish communities we have in Feddit.dk, but that's also cause basically all danes are fluent in English, so it shouldn't be an issue.

YouTuber Takashii just uploaded a video of street interviews in Japan on the topic of what tourists should/shouldn't do in Japan.

https://youtu.be/fXV89VQ5dJQ

at least one person said that in Japan, foreigners should try to speak Japanese. some people might see a Japanese ~~thread~~ instance as a little piece of Japan. especially since English language education there is not on a high level.

and monolinguals outside the Anglosphere do sometimes complain that their languages are being replaced/invaded by English.

that said, i think fediverse users (if that's where you've been replying) are less xenophobic than general population.

just remember that in Japan if one wants to complain about another's behavior, it's common to go to one's home turf or filter bubble to do so rather than speaking to the offender directly.