Re: The Linguo-Racial Complex

On 26 Oct 2005 11:53:04 -0700, "Nathan" <ntspam2@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>nando*** wrote:
>> well i´m pretty fluid in english, butwhen i`m in Chile if some gringo
>> speaks tome in spanish i tend to respond in (yep), English.
>
>(snip)
>
>> if i think honest, i think it´s related to a issue of stereotypes, i
>> tend to think spanish it´s too complex (no ethno proud intented) for a
>> non-native speaker and he/she will be relief if i respond in english,
>> where i`m pretty sure i can make me understand. problably because the
>> "pobre gringo" is/was an icon of the landscape as i grew up
>
>That's an interesting stereotype, that Spanish is too complex for a
>non-native speaker. Why didn't you assume the same about English?

Well, obviously, English is the easiest, most sensible language on
Earth.

I find it interesting that he plays into the typical American
"stereotype" of foreigners, that they all ought to speak English for
the simple fact that Americans can't be bothered with their gibberish!
;)

Padraic.

>> well maybe it´s time for me to start giving them the benefit of
>> doubt...
>
>Certainly. This is the problem with stereotypes; people make an
>assumption about a situation instead of getting information to make
>a good decision. If you meet a gringo in Chile, he may speak
>English, Spanish, German, etc. Instead of assuming, try to find out.
>The OP gave examples of situations where people stick to their bad
>assumption in the face of evidence to the contrary. I've had that
>happen to me, as a gringo in Chile in fact. Don't be like that.
>You may find the gringo's Spanish is better than your English.
>It's been known to happen.

la cieurgeourea provoer mal trasfu
ast meiyoer ke 'l andrext ben trasfu.
.