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All Apache mailing lists are publicly searchable and archived at lists.apache.org, ensuring discussions remain discoverable long after they occur.

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English Used in Communication

All public communication within Apache projects, including on mailing lists, in issue trackers, and in release or vote discussions, should be conducted in English.
This ensures that all participants across the global ASF community can read, respond to, and audit project discussions and decisions.

While contributors are welcome to collaborate informally in other languages (for example, through local meetups or private chats), any outcomes that influence technical direction, governance, or community decisions must be summarised and recorded in English on the appropriate public mailing list.

Reasons why:

• Transparency: Using a single shared language ensures that discussions and decisions are visible and understandable to all community members, mentors, and the ASF as a whole.
• Inclusivity: English serves as the common working language across ASF projects, enabling participation from contributors worldwide regardless of native language.
• Auditability: ASF governance relies on archived public communication. Conducting key discussions in English ensures that project history remains accessible and reviewable.
• Consistency: A shared language avoids discussion fragmentation and reduces the risk of misunderstandings caused by partial or untranslated communication.

Why the ASF Uses Mailing Lists

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