From 8386820e20fcecd0954d5a2cb3dfbdf72e66cc6e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: johnslavik Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:55:50 +0200 Subject: [PATCH 1/4] gh-1447: Add multicultural communication guidelines Add a new section covering good-faith assumptions, use of translation and language tools, collaborative phrasing, and patience/mentoring for contributors communicating across cultural and linguistic backgrounds. --- developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst | 31 +++++++++++++++++++ triage/issue-tracker.rst | 3 +- 2 files changed, 33 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst b/developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst index 43c00b9e1b..9d41da8258 100644 --- a/developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst +++ b/developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst @@ -22,6 +22,37 @@ in return. .. _Diversity Statement: https://www.python.org/psf/diversity/ +.. _multicultural-communication: + +Communicating across cultures and languages +=========================================== + +Not every contributor writes English as a first language, and phrasing that +feels neutral in one culture can read as blunt or rude in another. + +**Assume good faith.** If a message feels abrupt, it's probably a language +barrier or a different communication style rather than rudeness. If you're +unsure what someone meant, ask: "I want to make sure I understand: are you +saying X?" + +**Use translation tools freely.** If English isn't your first language, +translation software or AI tools can help you check that your message has the +tone you intend. Getting the phrasing wrong can make a reasonable point sound +more aggressive than it is. + +**Watch out for rhetorical questions.** They read as hostile in text even when +that's not the intent at all: + +* Instead of "Why do you think it is wrong?!", try "That doesn't sound right + to me. Here's why: …" +* Instead of "Did you even read the docs?", try "The relevant documentation + is at …" + +**Be patient with newcomers.** If someone doesn't know how things work here, +point them to the right docs or give them the context they need. Criticism +without guidance isn't helpful. + + .. _mailinglists: Mailing lists diff --git a/triage/issue-tracker.rst b/triage/issue-tracker.rst index 4dd0815e4c..31673d9435 100644 --- a/triage/issue-tracker.rst +++ b/triage/issue-tracker.rst @@ -124,7 +124,8 @@ Disagreement with a resolution on the issue tracker As humans, we will have differences of opinions from time to time. First and foremost, please be respectful that care, thought, and volunteer time went into -the resolution. +the resolution. Keep in mind that contributors come from many different cultural +and linguistic backgrounds; see :ref:`multicultural-communication`. With this in mind, take some time to consider any comments made in association with the resolution of the issue. On reflection, the resolution steps may seem From 8150f87fb17716cb060a1c0a14a1fe63dcb05688 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: =?UTF-8?q?Bartosz=20S=C5=82awecki?= Date: Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:44:42 +0200 Subject: [PATCH 2/4] Apply suggestions from review Co-authored-by: Carol Willing --- developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst | 7 ++++--- 1 file changed, 4 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-) diff --git a/developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst b/developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst index 9d41da8258..8c4f40cfa1 100644 --- a/developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst +++ b/developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst @@ -30,13 +30,14 @@ Communicating across cultures and languages Not every contributor writes English as a first language, and phrasing that feels neutral in one culture can read as blunt or rude in another. -**Assume good faith.** If a message feels abrupt, it's probably a language -barrier or a different communication style rather than rudeness. If you're +**Practice active listening.** Try to focus on understanding the message before reacting. + +**Confirm Understanding.** Ask open-ended questions and paraphrase to avoid misunderstandings. If you're unsure what someone meant, ask: "I want to make sure I understand: are you saying X?" **Use translation tools freely.** If English isn't your first language, -translation software or AI tools can help you check that your message has the +translation software or AI tools may help you check that your message has the tone you intend. Getting the phrasing wrong can make a reasonable point sound more aggressive than it is. From 6cd7848ff3815ad1033f044acb4c3678ff5e9cfe Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: =?UTF-8?q?Bartosz=20S=C5=82awecki?= Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:16:44 +0200 Subject: [PATCH 3/4] Fix caps, wrap at ~80 Co-authored-by: Hugo van Kemenade <1324225+hugovk@users.noreply.github.com> --- developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst | 6 +++--- 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-) diff --git a/developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst b/developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst index 8c4f40cfa1..b09697d66b 100644 --- a/developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst +++ b/developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst @@ -32,9 +32,9 @@ feels neutral in one culture can read as blunt or rude in another. **Practice active listening.** Try to focus on understanding the message before reacting. -**Confirm Understanding.** Ask open-ended questions and paraphrase to avoid misunderstandings. If you're -unsure what someone meant, ask: "I want to make sure I understand: are you -saying X?" +**Confirm understanding.** Ask open-ended questions and paraphrase to avoid +misunderstandings. If you're unsure what someone meant, ask: "I want to make +sure I understand: are you saying X?" **Use translation tools freely.** If English isn't your first language, translation software or AI tools may help you check that your message has the From fe852f8f03f6f70c99f25e73268aa13f6455376c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "pre-commit-ci[bot]" <66853113+pre-commit-ci[bot]@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:16:53 +0000 Subject: [PATCH 4/4] [pre-commit.ci] auto fixes from pre-commit.com hooks for more information, see https://pre-commit.ci --- developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst b/developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst index b09697d66b..656310e0e3 100644 --- a/developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst +++ b/developer-workflow/communication-channels.rst @@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ feels neutral in one culture can read as blunt or rude in another. **Practice active listening.** Try to focus on understanding the message before reacting. **Confirm understanding.** Ask open-ended questions and paraphrase to avoid -misunderstandings. If you're unsure what someone meant, ask: "I want to make +misunderstandings. If you're unsure what someone meant, ask: "I want to make sure I understand: are you saying X?" **Use translation tools freely.** If English isn't your first language,