Kudos for your open mind. I usually refrain from speaking my native language in a place like this: obviously if I'm here it means I understand English well enough. Therefore I have a choice. I see other French monks in the CB, I can chat in French with them, and leave many people out of the conversation, or I can use English, and not only they will understand it, but everyone as well. I feel it would be impolite to leave people out.

Much more troublesome to me is the cultural unification that English, especially American, brings along. The language itself isn't a problem, but the pervasiveness of American Geek culture at the expense of any other is a bit tiring at times. More important than reading French or other non English languages in the CB, everyone would benefit from what non American cultures can bring, and that doesn't happen a lot on English-speaking American-centric forums.