Eine Frage der Sprache

[Former_Member]

Hallo,

I would like to transfer here a question someone in a Spanish thread asked me.
"Since you live in Germany maybe you know" -she said.

Margarita says:

"¿Alguien puede explicarme porqué algunas personas del equipo alemán se presentan en su lengua vernácula y no se traducen al inglés como hacemos todos? Es una lástima no poder entenderlos (a parte del cliente que quiere comprar por supuesto!)"

TRANSLATION:

Could anyone explain to me we why many German members introduce themselves in German, without translating it into English, like we all do?
It is a pity that we cannot understand them. (Not to say the clients, of course!)

Einen schönen Tag noch!!
:-)

[Absoknittinglutely]

I'm surprised no one has answered yet!

I assume there arre many reasons. Some people don't speak English well enough - or think they don't - and so prefer to post in German. Also, the fact that the website is displayed in German for most of them might make them think there is a strong enough German presence, making it okay to post in German too. I have noticed that many just like to keep to their own group of countrymen/women too so there is seldom a need to venture into unfamiliar foreign territory. The primary objective seems to be to sell within Germany rather than internationally. I wonder if anyone else has any better ideas.

It all sounds like I speak as an outsider, but I am actually German. if I didn't live in the UK as I do now, I would still post in English, of course. I would be aiming to sell wherever buyers are and that requires me to use the language most people would be familiar with, i.e. English.