So, since I really appreciate feedback on my output exercises, whenever I'm scrolling through the Question Corner or a Word Garden and see people making mistakes, I feel like leaving a comment pointing them out and offering a correction. However, I don't usually do it because I'm not sure if it's really something people are expecting/looking for in those spaces. The few times I've tried have already gotten me a couple of disgruntled responses, so I feel like maybe people just want to write into the void, so to speak, and don't particularly care for feedback. Is that the case? What's the site culture like regarding this topic?
While I'm just speaking for myself, I prefer it when I get feedback. That way I can learn from my mistakes, and if I actually did something accidentally my accident can be pointed out (e.g. one time someone corrected me when I put 引き accidentally instead of 弾き, I know the difference but I made the mistake when typing I guess).
However, I have kept myself from trying to correct others much because of worrying about the responses, as you mentioned. I think it just will depend on the person, some want it and others don't...
Renshuu is all about practicing Japanese because we're all learners, and as learners we're supposed to practice and learn from our mistakes. In the corner/word garden community section of renshuu, if I'm not mistaking you can leave two types of comments; normal and feedback about the Japanese. If people are mad about you correcting, leave them be, they won't be able to receive feedback and that will hurt them in the end. In my experience, everyone I tried correcting always thanked me and fixed their mistakes. That's the mindset learners should have, not the "You took the time to point out my mistake and yet I don't care and you're just annoying me" mindset.
I'd say you keep trying to help out people, don't back up because some people are annoyed about it, besides that's the minority of users.
I wish there was a way to easily tell who actively wants feedback. Sometimes you can tell by looking at their profile, but most of the time you just can't. An optional toggle of some kind would be nice. Sure you can manually do that on your profile, but being actively given an official option would be way better. I imagine I'm not the first person to suggest that.
My read on the "culture" is that most people just kinda do their own thing, which makes unsolicited correction feel a bit invasive, even if it's well-meant. People who say "Just give feedback and don't worry about it" clearly don't have anxiety.
Having said that, I either get ignored or people appreciate my feedback. Probably around a 30/70 split. I only correct more egregious mistakes though. Things I feel like people would benefit from.
This is of course just personal, but I constantly worry (not just on Renshuu or about Japanese) that I might be wrong and there's no one there to tell me. There may be a place for this "just let me do things my way, who asked you?" philosophy, but that place is not a language-learning platform which explicitly offers a feedback option, so you know you may get some when you post. Besides, many of us are learning Japanese on our own, and with no one to point out mistakes, we risk dragging them along indefinitely!
So, my two cents: by giving feedback on mistakes, you're helping people (for free!), and if some snap at you for it, it's probably more about their own insecurities. At any rate, whenever you see a botched sentence by this badger, your input will be appreciated.
Thank you everyone for your answers. I think I'm going to try my best to give people feedback if I come across any mistakes. Even if someone snaps at me because of it, that means they'll remember the correction more and thus are less likely to make the same mistake again, so I'm helping them too in the end.
I do appreciate if someone corrects my response since it always feels like I’m wrong and am being silently judged If people don’t want you to correct them, then it’s not your fault for trying to help
Reading this thread made me realise that maybe it's just my anxiety clouding my judgement. Maybe I'm overthinking things and I'm not really bothering people all that much. I've never gotten a "disgruntled response", and being "ignored" doesn't necessarily mean my feedback wasn't useful or appreciated. Holding back just because you're worried about being a nuisance can mean missing out on genuinely helping someone.
Edit: I meant completely ignored, a "heart" is more than enough for me :)
I am new to Renshuu, still navigating my way around this amazing app since I joined about four weeks ago.
I would just like to add my words of appreciation to you devoted people out there who take the time to assist others, myself included, in their language journey.
I have received good responses to a couple of grammar questions I have asked, and it is nice that someone in the community took the time to reply to my queries.
In the Word Garden section, I realise that some people may be sensitive about receiving unsolicited suggestions for improvement of their entries. I think it would be a good idea when the initial Word Garden entry is made, if a box could be ticked that suggestions on spelling and grammar corrections / improvements are welcome. (The flip side of this is that someone could be disappointed in having ticked the box, but then never getting any wished-for feedback at all.)
In response to ギョルギ九十三's comment that "being "ignored" doesn't necessarily mean my feedback wasn't useful", I agree with this and I think part of being ignored could also be that in some areas of Renshuu, we are encouraged not to write "Thank you" as a reply message, and ticking the heart feedback will therefore have to suffice. See screenshot of my own previous message (that I am about to delete shortly) that illustrates the point.
Again, thank you for the engagement of those of you who assist other fellow learners!
If people don’t want you to correct them, then it’s not your fault for trying to help 