I'm not trying to be mean here. I'm fluent in spanish, but it's not my native language. And sometimes when I speak it, native speakers point and laugh at me because I have'nt developed their accent and I make a few grammatical errors here and there. Are they being mean to me, or is it ok to make fun of people who mess up your language? Would it be wrong for me to lauagh at them for incorrectly speaking English?
2007-01-12 19:25:17 · 32 answers · asked by Soundguy 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Americans regularly laugh at those who mispronounce their version of English. You only have to see any of thousands of films the American Industry has produced to see this. I've seen it in something like 45 of the US states, so I now the average american will do just this.
The English on the other hand, often feel it is cute, and tolerate mispronunciations.
American films are all over the world, and have shown people who do not speak American English exactly how Americans think about others who mispronounce their language.
It isn't correct. People should gently correct language problems. Sometimes however, a mispronunciations can be funny, when someone tries to say one thing, and actually says something that is completely different.
But those listening should correct, and explain why it is funny.
2007-01-12 19:46:46 · answer #1 · answered by whatotherway 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
It is obviously not ok when someone laughs at you and I think you should be mature and not do so.
I´m from Argentina and the people that came here (americans,south africans, germans) some didn´t have a clue on how to speak spanish and expected us to speak english and some of them had only some words and the people here were nice cause you do what u can and spanish isn´t as widely spoken as english so we started with english to make things easier for them.
I think it has a lot to do with the place you are in not all the people are the same.
2007-01-12 19:55:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shouldn't make fun of people, however sometimes it's just funny.
example: A few years ago I was a co-ordinator of a language exchange program (francophone and anglophone teenageers switched places for the summer - I'm Canadian.) HOWEVER, they were suppose to speak prettey well in their second official language BEFORE the exchange....
A 16 year old guy told me, after hiking, that he couldn't "wait to get home to douche." Douche is french for shower, which I knew, but I laughed out loud, then explained the english meaning.
Eating breakfast in a restrarant one morning a guy who didn't speak well interupted the conversation SO happy that he was going to make a proper sentence and announced "I am a real orange!" I meant, I have an orange.
Another guy asked me what to get his host parents for their "wedding birthday", it took me a while to figure that one out.
Laughing at an accent or generally making fun of people when they are trying is wrong. Help them fix it so they can do better. But sometimes, it to damn hard not to laugh.
If that annoys you, never move to Montreal!
2007-01-12 19:55:44 · answer #3 · answered by Noota Oolah 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is not nice to make fun of people at all. However, sometimes when you speak a language you are not fluent in, you make some really funny mistakes. When you say words out of place or the wrong words it changes the thought of the sentence. This can turn your sentence into something quite funny. Perhaps they don't mean to laugh at YOU, but at the literal meaning of your sentence.
2007-01-12 19:37:05 · answer #4 · answered by firefly 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they are really making fun to be harsh then I think that its rude not everyone is perfect, I like being corrected when I speak a language wrong by not being made fun of.
But people do it, the people that will probley would find something to whine about even if you did speak perfectly. So I wouldn't dwell on it.
Sometimes I giggle a little when I hear someone speak English a little goofy but it doesn't come out of me being mean I think its nice to hear them try cause its cute and laughter comes naturally.
2007-01-12 19:30:19 · answer #5 · answered by Katrina 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's not nice when someone laughs at you when you make a mistake trying to speak another language. They should be willing to help you and encourage you, not tear you down. It takes alot of time, study, and practice to learn and speak their language. It should make them feel good that you are trying to learn so you can communicate with them. We all make mistakes speaking our own language (English) let alone trying to do your best to speak another language. You be the better person and take the high road and don't allow them to upset you to the point you would make fun of others. That's great you are fluent in Spanish. My wife is from Puerto Rico and she said that's awesome :O)
Good job :O)
2007-01-12 19:46:47 · answer #6 · answered by Jason W 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A question of perception. It's what you make of it; and them of you. I believe when native speakers laugh at your command of their language it doesn't necessarily mean that they are making fun of you. They would probably find it either amusing or at awe of your ability to express yourself in a way that is contradictory to what they expect of you at face value. Or the way you pronounce it may be funny due to certain in-jokes that you are not automatically able to comprehend because the words may be figure -of-speech or slangwords that connote different meaning. (As opposed to their literal translation).
Perhaps you might want to ask (if the situation permits) what is so amusing about the way you speak their language. But of course having said these, I think it is definitely not OK to intentionally and purposely make fun of people anywhere anytime. Stat.
2007-01-12 19:52:02 · answer #7 · answered by tomQ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Laugh by all means but the laugh should be strictly for hilarity and definitely not demeaning. It is always a good and pleasant joke for people speaking in a foreign tongue to be laughed at in good humor. That is the fun of travelling the world and bringing in some laughs and smiles wherever you go. Same with you. Laugh by all means, but in good humor.
2007-01-12 19:30:48 · answer #8 · answered by Kool-kat 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, it's the same in asia, they think it's like a big joke unless you speak really really well. But it is maddening that when they speak terrible English we usually don't laugh and jeer and sneer and point like they do. Instead try to be polite. I think here it's a matter of them thinking they're better than the foreigner.
2007-01-12 19:32:48 · answer #9 · answered by Annmaree 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, this has never happened to me. In my experience Spanish-speakers are quite tolerant of people who are learning their language. I'm sorry this has happened to you.
No, I don't think it's appropriate to make fun of people who are learning a new language and I don't think you should repeat this mistake for people who are learning English. Hopefully your experiences will give you empathy towards those who don't speak your language natively.
2007-01-13 04:13:58 · answer #10 · answered by drshorty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋