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Python Python Collections (Retired) Dungeon Game Planning Our Dungeon

coding challenges are extremely difficult to understand. english is not the main language of all the world.

when i get the coding challenge. my all time spending to understand question. i think you can ask question more simple.

6 Answers

Chris Freeman
MOD
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,423 Points

Hi Ozan, I agree that the wording of text in the challenges can be difficult to understand at times. The text of the challenge is intended to be asking the question in a colloquial way typical of software development. Some of the expressions and terminology will become more familiar as you progress through the courses.

There are many questions on the forum regarding the meaning of text with the challenges. If there is an expression or idiom that doesn't translate well, please feel free to ask for help in the forum. Sometimes the issue is English clarification other times its "coding slang" that is not obvious to beginning programmers regardless of their primary language.

For example, the expression "create a function that takes a list". A beginner may ask Take it where, how? The improved expression would be "create a function that expects an argument of type list".

Post back if you have any more questions. Good Luck and Keep Programming!

Daniel Čupak
Daniel Čupak
6,602 Points

Dear Ozan,

look at it from a different perspective - you are learning English and the same time! Moreover, if you are planning on becoming an IT pro you would sooner or later deal with a similar situation. Stackoverflow and many other forums are also in English.

Hold fast and soon you will reap the fruits of your work

Thank you everyone :) i knew you would understand me. i'm tyring to learn programming. this is connecting me to the world. my english is getting better slowly. teamtreehouse and the community is really friendly. there could be borders in the earth. but in here. www. there is no border, there is no limit. communication is the most important thing. the earth is like a brain. the only way the develop human race is sharing ideas. also it is fun. thank you again and again to all of you :))

+1 Well said Chris. The coding challenge instructions can be confusing even for native English speakers, let alone someone who is learning the language. I myself have encountered challenges where the instructions made me want to pull my hair out, it's extremely frustrating and makes you want to scream at the confusing way some of these instructions are worded.
Chris did an excellent job of clarifying why the instructions are worded the way they are. I definitely feel less frustrated after reading this post. Thanks op for making this thread so we can vent.

Shana HT
Shana HT
3,292 Points

I am a native English speaker, and I find some of the coding challenges really oddly worded and confusing. I think it would be helpful, if an example of what goes in and what comes out is included with the challenge.

While I 100% understand what you're saying (no pun intended) .... It is the language with with most code is written or is based upon. So...... yeah.

HOWEVER.... English is the #2 most spoken language in the world. Given that your name is of Turkish origin, I'm guessing that the language you grew up speaking is NOT Mandarin... the #1 most spoken language (by number of people who speak it.)

If you have a problem... find solutions for it. Don't shout your problem from the roof tops, hoping for it to fix itself. The point: If you desire to learn code.... I suggest that you improve your understanding of the English language.

I don't mean to be rude, but I do mean to be direct. This forum is to help people with learning code... not to provide fluff for a complaint that is easily fixed by the person posting the issue.

p.s. www.google.com/translate for your translating needs.

Chris Freeman
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,423 Points

-1 Brandon, I am concerned about your interpretation that Ozan's post is "shouting from the roof tops" and that this post is asking for "fluff". I don't see that. All questions regarding improving the Treehouse site for student are welcomed and encouraged. Perhaps an element you did not take into account is that since English is not Ozan's primary language the wording may not truly express the intended meaning and should be read with widest range of acceptable interpretations. Your implied "easily fixed" solution of "go learn English" I feel is both rude and non-constructive.

A constructive solution would be to ask what challenge text are they finding difficult to understand. I agree that the forum is about helping people with learning code. That applies to both the questions asked and to the answers posted. This is my response to your answer hoping you will work on the "helping people" aspect of your answers. Thanks.