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Linguistic comradery | ||
Tags: Cultural Identity | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : General discussion |  | |
 jeff_lindqvist Diglot Moderator SwedenRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 6911 days ago 4250 posts - 5711 votes  Speaks: Swedish*, English Studies: German, Spanish, Russian, Dutch, Mandarin, Esperanto, Irish, French Personal Language Map | Message 9 of 20 17 February 2010 at 2:08am | IP Logged | |||||
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It depends.
I might feel a bond if I'm on the Swedish mainland and met another from my town/island in an English-speaking environment and meet a Scandinavian in a German-speaking environment and meet an native speaker of English (from the "inner circle", British Isles/US/Canada/Australia/New Zeeland) Hey, I'd probably feel a bond if I met a German/Spanish speaker in a Russian-speaking environment. 1 person has voted this message useful | ||||||
| Johntm Senior Member United StatesRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 5424 days ago 616 posts - 725 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Spanish | Message 10 of 20 17 February 2010 at 5:22am | IP Logged | |||||
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What you say about Hispanics is true, I notice it at my school. Although it may be because there aren't too many from one single country, so the closest person they can relate to is someone from a neighboring country. But I don't feel the same way towards other English speakers, I really feel no connection to them linguistically. And I really don't like any other English speaking country other than Ireland and the US, and that's not some American superiority complex, it's just how I feel. I'm more interested in countries that speak languages I plan to learn.
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| Captain Haddock Diglot Senior Member Japan kanjicabinet.tumblr. Joined 6770 days ago 2282 posts - 2814 votes Speaks: English*, Japanese Studies: French, Korean, Ancient Greek | Message 11 of 20 17 February 2010 at 6:55am | IP Logged | |||||
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I think there is a certain linguistic bond and camaraderie felt between Anglo-Canadians, Brits, Scots, Irish, New Zealanders, and
Australians. To some extent, the US seems to have excluded itself in creating its own empire and promoting a spirit of "you're either with us or against us" instead of fostering mutual respect and understanding. This is not meant as a political commentary; rather, these are my cultural and linguistic sentiments as a Canadian. Edited by Captain Haddock on 17 February 2010 at 7:00am 5 persons have voted this message useful | ||||||
| Levi Pentaglot Senior Member United States Joined 5569 days ago 2268 posts - 3328 votes Speaks: English*, French, Esperanto, German, Spanish Studies: Russian, Dutch, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese, Italian | Message 12 of 20 17 February 2010 at 7:04am | IP Logged | |||||
Except that it does not include the United States. Relative sizes of native Anglophone populations:  Edited by Levi on 17 February 2010 at 7:14am 3 persons have voted this message useful | ||||||
 newyorkeric Diglot Moderator Singapore Joined 6381 days ago 1598 posts - 2174 votes Speaks: English*, Italian Studies: Mandarin, Malay Personal Language Map | Message 13 of 20 17 February 2010 at 7:20am | IP Logged | |||||
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I definitely feel almost a sense of relief when I chat with another American here in Singapore. Talking to locals requires some work to ensure a mutual understanding due to the differences in word choice, accents, and cultural background. With an American I can shut off that part of my brain and just talk.
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| canada38 Tetraglot Senior Member Canada Joined 5497 days ago 304 posts - 417 votes Speaks: English*, Italian, Spanish, French Studies: Portuguese, Japanese | Message 14 of 20 17 February 2010 at 10:55pm | IP Logged | |||||
Levi, I meant to click quote but pressed vote instead by accident. Yes, you are correct to state that the USA has the largest Anglophone population. Thank you for your interesting pie-graph. The United States is eligible to join the Commonwealth, just like Ireland, Egypt and many more nations. As many Americans like to forget, English did not originate in the United States; it has its roots in England. The United Kingdom is part of the Commonwealth, just as France is part of La Francophonie and Spain (and Portugal) are part of the Organisation of Ibero-American States etc. The United States has the second most Spanish speakers, after Mexico but before Spain. Does this diminish the importance of this organisation because it hasn't been conquered by American imperialism? American answer: Yes. Everyone Else: No! Edit: Removed image link from quote Edited by canada38 on 17 February 2010 at 10:56pm 1 person has voted this message useful | ||||||
| hanni aka cordelia0507 Groupie United Kingdom Joined 5606 days ago 69 posts - 92 votes Speaks: Dutch* | Message 15 of 20 17 February 2010 at 11:25pm | IP Logged | |||||
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It's based on social and cultural factors just as much as it is based on language.
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| Wilco Triglot Senior Member Canada Joined 6332 days ago 160 posts - 247 votes Speaks: French*, English, Russian | Message 16 of 20 17 February 2010 at 11:49pm | IP Logged | |||||
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I remember reading a few years ago a very interesting novel (or was it a ethnographic study?) about the differences between Frenchmen and Englishmen abroad.
Frenchmen, as the children of an indivisible and egalitarian republic, would interact between themselves like brothers, without any consideration for one's social class, hometown or profession (much like Americans?). Englishmen, on the other side, coming from a still traditionnal and aristocratic country, would be very reluctant meeting compatriots abroad. Indeed, it wouldn't be appropriate for a gentleman to engage in a conversation with someone from a lower-class, even if they were the only two Englishmen in the whole city. Thinking of it, it was probably a French novel. 1 person has voted this message useful |
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