CTRebbe – If you think that 50% of attendees of the Siyum Hashas don’t understand Yiddish, you are quite mistaken.
I agree that the Chassidim are under represented at the Siyum HaShas. Having almost all the speeches in Yiddish, is only going to make them have less of a reason to attend.
No one said that the majority of Jews speak Yiddish. Obviously, we are referring to Orthodox Jews, particularly those in the tri state area that would make the bulk of the attendees. Yes, it is fair to day that the VAST majority of those understand Yiddish.
To be honest, I don’t care one way or another. I have no intention of attending. I plan on going to the Dirshu siyum, where my guess is that almost all of the speeches will be in Yiddish, with no complaints.