Why was my question (which exists on academia with lots of upvotes) migrated to ELL?

Question

I have asked a question about a word (so in my understanding a single-word request but I probably tagged it wrongly as word-choice) for the "text" that often appears in the body of scientific publications (theses, papers, ...) and in general any written document between a (sub)chapter heading and the following subchapter heading. Initially, it was voted that my question be closed because it was "Not suitable for this site". Then, it was migrated to ELL "because it can be answered by speakers of other languages learning English".

My question was: https://ell.stackexchange.com/questions/320539/a-word-for-the-text-between-section-heading-e-g-section-1-and-first-subsecti

The link to the question on academia (which I found after asking): https://academia.stackexchange.com/questions/162433/what-is-the-name-of-the-text-that-might-exist-after-the-chapter-heading-and-befo

What makes my question specifically an ELL question? Compared to some other single-word requests on here, I consider it to be quite "sophisticated".

I'm not insisting that it's suitable for ELU, but I'm curious about the reasoning behind the migration (I mean, actually, I am asking this question because I find the decision to migrate it to ELL ridiculous and am sure that it stems from not understanding the question/problem at all, but I wanted to give the benefit of the doubt, but nobody answers ...).

I would be really interested, Anton, fev, or KillingTime ... Of course I would also be very interested in your knowledgeable answers to this mundane ELL question.

Weeks have passed and I must come to the conclusion that you did not understand the question and if you would have and you would have known an answer you would have been the first to answer it.

The sound of silence.

It was pointed out in the answer(s) that "... it's easier not to stoke a fire when a user appears to be more interested in conflict than in a discussion.". I rephrased my absolutely overly-polite meta-question a couple of times and it got a bit more "bold" with every edit (to "provoke" an answer). I am not interested in conflict. I want to know why my question was close voted first and then migrated almost immediately after I posted it even though I tried my best to clarify any of the "good-faithed" remarks (which was hard, because they were not very logical and kinda presumptuous).

As for the silence to my question on meta, I think it is a sham argument to use my "hostility" and further postulate it's the lack of ability that prevents the concerned people from giving an educated answer.

Answer 1

The following is the OP's original question posted on 9 August at 8.49

A word for the text between section heading (e.g., Section 1) and first subsection heading (e.g., Section 1.1) What are possible words for the text between a section heading and the first corresponding subsection heading.

I have found "preamble", but think there might be "better" words. Example:

1 Introduction

Here is the running text of the introduction for which I would like to have a word

1.1 Motivation

1.2 Objectives

Users who vote to migrate a question do so in good faith. I am sure there was no intention of belittling the OP's question by insinuating it was too easy for EL&U. Possibly, but I'm not a mind reader, the three users thought the term preamble was either the right answer or that users on ELL would be more responsive.

The OP's edit at 09.34: “I have found "preamble", but, since preamble certainly is used to refer to an introductionary text for the whole document , think that there might be a more specific professional term for it.” did not succeed in persuading two users that the question should remain on EL&U. As a matter of fact, the history page shows their votes for migration were cast at 10.09 and 10.16.

It's also a fact that questions on Stack Exchange network do not always attract answers even when they are considered on-topic and useful. In this case, the OP's question actually received a good answer (albeit in December 16, 2022) from our site's top user which is commendable.

You seem to be asking about what to call a block of text that appears in the space between a section heading and the first in a series of subordinate section subheads. At the various publishing houses where I have worked, the term I have used (and heard used) for such text is "section intro"; if there is a single word for it, I've never heard it.

Note that the user began their answer with “You seem to be asking”, which suggests that the poster's question lacked clarity.

It's worth noting that another user posted this comment [emphasis in bold mine]

Choosing to use a highly structured format - 1 / 1.1 / 1.2.1 etc - and then inserting freeform, floating 'comments' is confusing. What is the point of sections and subsections if you are going to add bits between them occasionally? Why not put your explanatory comment at the start of the section it refers to? Perhaps even make it the title of the section...

Evidently the commenter did not fully understand the problem, and this should have been a warning signal to the OP.

Another user, probably on ELL, posted this reflection [emphasis in bold not mine]

I am having real trouble with this question. In an outline, you have headings, sub-headings, and sub-sub-headings. There is nothing else. If your text comes any heading, it is just text. What else could it be? And in legal texts, a preamble is actually the name of a heading and a type of text.

I for one was puzzled when I first read the question, but I am not–nor have ever been–a member of academia, so what do I know? On the other hand, the older but related question posted on Academia.SE is, despite its brevity, clearer.

In manuscripts, a text between the chapter heading and before the first section might exist. Does this have a name?

However, I'll wager were the same question to be posted on EL&U, it would be closed for lack of research and effort whereas Sebastian E's question was not downvoted or closed, it was migrated. Not the worst thing to happen to a question!

I also think the OP's comments beneath their post such as this [emphasis in bold mine]

…you asked me why think preamble is not a good choice and I thought that my edit and Wikipedia citation shows you why, because it’s pretty obvious. In turn you immediately resorted to pseudo intellectual arrogance even though you have exactly zero to contribute to my question

is a very good reason why that particular user has since kept their distance, and not replied to the OP's invitation on meta, which is spurred by genuine concern but also by continuing resentment and indignation. The question was posted in August 2022. As for the community's silence it's easier not to stoke a fire when a user appears to be more interested in conflict than in a discussion.

Of course I would also be very interested in your knowledgeable answers to this mundane ELL question.