Just joined Lemmy...not a fan of the language settings. - lemm.ee
lemm.ee
In my profile settings, I can choose my languages. A couple gripes with the web interface of this setting: * I have to hold down the Ctrl key to select multiple languages. While this was clear to me since I use this keyboard shortcut a lot in other contexts, this would definitely be confusing or unclear for most users. * This setting should be split into two. As of now, it determines what content you see, with all other content completely hidden…AND it determines what languages will appear in the language selector when making a post or comment. There should be separate settings for which languages are displayed and which appear in the language selector for a new post (because I don’t want any content to be hidden, but I want to be able to easily select English for any new comment). Or at least a setting for a default language for new comments.

Content is hidden due to not choosing the languages in the settings.

Making the language settings opted in by default should solve this initial struggle, opting out should be done manually. Putting check boxes next to the languages on there for selection should make things easier too.

This has been an issue long before the guy in the linked post reported it. I’ve had to face this same issue on other instances as well so it’s obviously a Lemmy issue and not instance specific.

Please understand that these sorts of small but very visible troubles are what keep people away from this platform. You sign up and go to any community only to see no posts or only those not tagged with a language (You could even miss those if you don’t choose “Undetermined”). Any new user would be confused “Are there no user at all?” “Is this community banned?” “Is this instance defederated?” Each of these doubts would just push any new users out.

Edit: This PSA was over 9 months ago now.

Edit 2: It seems to be instance specific, lemmy.world and lemm.ee both have this issue as far as I’ve seen.

Edit 3: Thank you everyone for your help.

  • @BlazeEnglish
    2•9 months ago

    Seems strange. I registered an alt not so long ago and I remember being able to view all the languages from the get go.

    Maybe that’s an instance-dependent thing.

    If the language issue wasn’t there it wouldn’t honestly be much different from reddit.

    It’s interesting because a lot of non-English speaking communities complain about users downvoting their content because they don’t understand it, so it seems like they have the exact opposite issues that you do.

    https://sh.itjust.works/post/16202527

    • Nom NomOPEnglish
      2•9 months ago

      Maybe that’s an instance-dependent thing.

      I can’t check all instances so I suppose that maybe possible but I’ve tried 4 and each one has been the same, but since you hadn’t had this issue I suppose I can chalk it up to bad luck. Still needs fixing though, I’m not the only one who faced this and lemmy.world and lemm.ee both have this issue, 2 of the most popular instances according to fedidb.

      It’s interesting because a lot of non-English speaking communities complain about users downvoting their content because they don’t understand it

      From what I understand after reading that thread, a significant portion of users are downvoting just because they don’t like seeing any other language than their preferred one(English?). But that’s a stupid way of going about it, just message the posters to let them know about tagging it with it’s proper language or just block the user. Pointlessly downvoting everything you see won’t get the message accross.

      • @BlazeEnglish
        2•9 months ago

        But that’s a stupid way of going about it, just message the posters to let them know about tagging it with it’s proper language or just block the user. Pointlessly downvoting everything you see won’t get the message accross.

        Definitely.

        I just checked on a new account on SJW, all languages are enabled by default. Probably an issue to raise to the Lemm.ee admins.

        • Nom NomOPEnglish
          2•9 months ago

          I see, thank you for cross checking with me.