Japanese conversation - what are they asking?
Hi there.
I was using the HelloTalk app and chatting with someone when they asked:
あなたは日本語で書いているのですか？
I translated it to:
What are you writing in Japanese?
But it didn't make sense in the context (we'd only just started chatting).
Is this literal translation correct or does it have another meaning?

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Whatever they're saying, I don't think it's technically proper grammar.
I would reply with a simple "なんのいみですか？” It's not rude as far as I know, especially since it's supposed to be a learning experience for the both of you.

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@Jun   Ah, it could be so. I might have been too negative.

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Thinking about it positively, I can guess what the person wanted to say like this; "(It doesn't seem you are Japanese but) you are writing in Japanese?=you can write Japanese?  (That would be awesome!)"

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Anyway, I hope you meet nice people and enjoy talking in Japanese!

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Well, I wouldn't like to upset you, but this actually means 'Are you writing in Japanese?' I think the person might have been a troll if there wasn't any technical problems in your and their mobiles. By the way, my first lovely troll asked me kindly, 'Do you want to learn Engrish?' when we'd just started talking.