Um...Ed...er...I *think* that this attitude is the *definition* of the "Ugly
American".
It's kinda like an American going into a restaurant in another country, and
asking the location of the bathroom of a native waitress. When presented
with a blank stare, or verbiage in another (non-english) language, the "Ugly
American" automatically assumes that speaking english slower and louder will
instill some comprehension, i.e."Pardon me, miss, but could you tell me
where the bathrooms are?" - "Je suis désolé, je ne parle pas anglais." -
"CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE THE BATHROOM IS?" - "Estoy apesadumbrado, yo no hablo
inglés." - "I SAID...CAANN...YOOOUUU...TELLLLL...MEEEEE..." etc.
This is why most non-americans view us as arrogant and under-educated. Most
foreign countries require multi-liguality in their educational systems and
are, to some degree, somewhat culturally sensitive. Americans, by and
large, assume that everyone world-wide speaks mid-western english, uses
dollars as their primary currency, and adheres to our cultural norms...which
they don't. But, most do strive to make us more comfortable in their
countries by trying to speak english and overlooking our cultural gaffes
(well, except for certain elitist Parisiens whom I've met), even though we
rarely offer it in ours.
So, with the exception of certain technical occupations where english is the
internationally accepted/mandated language (such as aviation), I think that
the statement that english is the "de-facto international standard
language!", especially on as international list as NewtonTalk, is probably
considered bad form.
And, if it was meant as a joke...well...ya got me! :)
Regards,
Gary
----Original Message Follows----
From: Ed Kummel <tech_ed@yahoo.com>
To: newtontalk@planetnewton.com
Subject: Re: NTLK Réf. : Re: NTLK A French mailing-list, why not?
Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 12:44:52 -0700 (PDT)
yeah, but it IS the de-facto international standard
language! (along with our currency)
Ed
web/gadget guru
--- Frédéric Paché <f.pache@skynet.be> wrote:
> Newton-FR is for people that speak only French.
> I read English fluently and want help
> French-only-speaking people. Not
> everybody on Earth speak English...
>
> Pache F.
> Newton-FR moderator.
>
>
> le 19/06/2000 15:22, t.scordilis@atral.fr à
> t.scordilis@atral.fr a écrit :
>
> > Hi all,
> >
> > Even if I defend french as a frenchman, I do not
> agree on the fact to have a
> > french mailing list?
> >
> > The main reason is that I do not want and do not
> have the time to check x
> > different sites in order to find a piece of
> information. Since the newton has
> > to live by itself without the support from the one
> who has created it, we need
> > to be rational in providing our own support. It is
> a different issue, if this
> > french mailing list provides some translation for
> those who do not speak
> > english
> > ( not only french!!!).
> >
> > This is where the Org site is quite interresting.
> Isn't it ?
> >
> >
> > Thierry.
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