I have been speaking English as a first language for 23 years, I use a dictionary to expand my vocabulary every week, I read a lot, every day, and I actively criticize grammar when I hear it. Because I think about grammar a lot and try to figure out the best way to write and say things, this site naturally attracts me. However, I am not interested in asking simple questions relating to finding a word (because I have a good memory of words) or grammar (because I have an extensive understanding of the rules of grammar). But, it seems that the questions I want to ask on this site are too advanced, because of the close votes I have gotten. I think that is wrong, because if this site can't cater for my advanced questions relating to the English language, then which site can? I think too many simple questions are asked here, when these types of questions (being asked by people still learning how to speak English) should be on English Language Learners.SE.
My questions that have had close votes include:
- Asking about a French word that is used in English (undeleted now).
What is the French phrase meaning that diners are waited on?
What is the French phrase which means that diners at a restaurant are waited on at their tables (as opposed to going up to a counter)?
FYI, many words from other languages are used in English, such as Latin phrases or words assumed instead of creating a new word, such as déjà vu, patio, masala, piñata or naïve (note that even non-standard letters are used).
- Asking for clarification on the difference between the everyday definitions of socialism and communism (a very recent question).
This question goes more into depth about the definitions and connotations of those two words in order to truly understand what the words mean. I find that many people throw those words around emotively without stopping to find out what they mean, and, as I mentioned in the comments, this led to it being taught incorrectly in a high school syllabus when the teachers tried to figure out the difference. I asked it on ELU because I thought I would reach an audience comprised of the average English first-language speaker.
This meta post is about the conflict I have between the purpose of this site and my needs. I think first-language speakers who want to ask advanced questions about the language should be given more space to ask questions on this site.