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Language stereotypes

  Tags: Stereotypes
 Language Learning Forum : Cultural Experiences in Foreign Languages Post Reply
118 messages over 15 pages: 1 2 3 4 57 ... 6 ... 14 15 Next >>
tim.mccravy
Newbie
United States
Joined 5780 days ago

19 posts - 21 votes
Speaks: Spanish

 
 Message 41 of 118
30 January 2009 at 12:11pm | IP Logged 
"It seems that language learning is looked down upon in Brazil. "

Seems to reactions when I'm overheard speaking Spanish in the US. Either 1) "I wish that i knew Spanish, it could really help me out with people I work with, or 2) anger at me for learning Spanish, usually accompanied by some comment about immigrants not learning English and "making us" learn Spanish." I usually respond by saying "really, doesn't seem that anyone's "made you" learn anything.
1 person has voted this message useful



maya_star17
Bilingual Tetraglot
Senior Member
Canada
Joined 5915 days ago

269 posts - 291 votes 
Speaks: English*, Russian*, French, Spanish
Studies: Japanese

 
 Message 42 of 118
30 January 2009 at 1:48pm | IP Logged 
eoinda wrote:
I hate these stereotypes, especially the fact that they are generally 95 percent true and those of us who don't fit the
stereotype are generally the ones who suffer.
For example it is impossible for me to convince some people that I am serious about Spanish even though I am
very serious about it and my skills prove it.
I hear you! I'm tired of having people assume that I want to learn Japanese to watch anime. Anime is OK, but I wouldn't learn a language for it.
1 person has voted this message useful



Karakorum
Bilingual Diglot
Senior Member
United States
Joined 6569 days ago

201 posts - 232 votes 
Speaks: English*, Arabic (Written)*
Studies: French, German

 
 Message 43 of 118
30 January 2009 at 3:04pm | IP Logged 
In the Arab world stereotypes about these languages can be quite different. In most cases they have to do with what people assume you do for a living.

Arabic dialects: Living.
English: Living and wants a job.
French: Living in the past and doesn't need a job.
German: Want to do mechanical engineering or pharmaceuticals.
Russian: Wants to work be a gigolo. In the Gulf wants to be a pimp.
Italian: Wants to be an illegal immigrant drowning in the Adriatic.
Spanish: Wants to be an illegal immigrant drowning in the Atlantic.
Greek : Wants to be an illegal immigrant drowning in the Aegean.
Chinese: Imports plastic Ramadan lanterns.
Japanese: Insane.
Classical Arabic: Poor, insane, and "respected".
Hebrew: Got horrible grades in high school and/or watched too many patriotic movies.
1 person has voted this message useful



guilon
Pentaglot
Senior Member
Spain
Joined 6192 days ago

226 posts - 229 votes 
Speaks: Spanish*, PortugueseC2, FrenchC2, Italian, English

 
 Message 44 of 118
30 January 2009 at 3:27pm | IP Logged 
Karakorum wrote:
In the Arab world stereotypes about these languages can be quite different. In most cases
they have to do with what people assume you do for a living.

...
French: Living in the past and doesn't need a job.
...


I am not sure that is true for Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, or Lebanon for that matter.
1 person has voted this message useful



Alvinho
Triglot
Senior Member
Brazil
Joined 6234 days ago

828 posts - 832 votes 
Speaks: Portuguese*, English, Spanish

 
 Message 45 of 118
31 January 2009 at 7:54am | IP Logged 
Starfallen wrote:
Satoshi wrote:
Alvinho, I really don't see the conection between emo and japanese. Those two are not related at all..


Actually I see this stereotype too... mostly on the internet, and mostly by young people. I think the term "emo" has evolved into a general insult to describe anything lame. It's basically the same as calling someone a loser or saying something is "gay". Why? Because emo became popular and trendy...and as with anything that becomes very trendy and mainstream, there's the inevitable backlash.

It seems like the whole "weeaboo" stereotype is more associated with the younger generation. I'm in my late 20s now and it seems like older people tend to think of "food/sushi, World War II, martial arts, cars, electronics, business, etc" when they think of Japanese. They still generally consider it a "really difficult" language though, so I guess "nerd" isn't too far off.


Starfallen, if you lived 20 years ago here in Brazil, nobody would say you are both emo and poof as you like Animes or Japanese shows......I'm not sure if kids and teens used to watch them over there in the US at that time...during my childhood such shows were in right all over the country.....after classes finished, I used to rush home because I didn't mean to miss one single episode....I liked the songs and used to try to sing them along even though had no any clue what each word meant.....good times

As for Japanese, it sounds nice and hard to me, even though I'd only study it if I intended to take master degree in Japan....it's common Japanese embassy here offers master degree programs for Brazilians, except for Japanese-blooded people who live here....two years ago I almost applied for such program.



1 person has voted this message useful



TreoPaul
Senior Member
United States
Joined 6330 days ago

121 posts - 118 votes 
Speaks: English*
Studies: German

 
 Message 46 of 118
31 January 2009 at 9:31am | IP Logged 
Several folks have commented on German's harsh sound. When I first took up German I
was convinced it sounded like a bad cold with throat clearing and coughs.

However, as I listened more and more, the language now sounds very sweet to my ears,
and as "normal" as English.

As far as what German means to me today: The language and the culture have a
structured, rule-abiding manner.
1 person has voted this message useful



Starfallen
Groupie
United States
Joined 5817 days ago

43 posts - 49 votes
Speaks: English*
Studies: Japanese

 
 Message 47 of 118
31 January 2009 at 10:04am | IP Logged 
Alvinho wrote:
Starfallen, if you lived 20 years ago here in Brazil, nobody would say you are both emo and poof as you like Animes or Japanese shows......I'm not sure if kids and teens used to watch them over there in the US at that time...


Well anime had some popularity in the USA back in the early 80s. I remember video rental stores used to carry it, and the Disney Channel would air dubbed anime... that's where I was first introduced to it as a child. I was surprised when I later found out some of my favorite childhood things were really from Japan (Hello Kitty, etc). I'd say it was the late 90s/early 2000s when anime really peaked in popularity over here. By then I was in college and I rediscovered anime with some of the more mature titles (like Ghost in the Shell, Cowboy Bebop, etc). I do still enjoy it these days, but I wouldn't say I'm obsessed with it or anything. There are a lot of reasons to study Japanese.

TreoPaul wrote:
Several folks have commented on German's harsh sound. When I first took up German I
was convinced it sounded like a bad cold with throat clearing and coughs.

However, as I listened more and more, the language now sounds very sweet to my ears,
and as "normal" as English.

As far as what German means to me today: The language and the culture have a
structured, rule-abiding manner.


Yeah, I guess that's pretty much how I see German too... as being a little more "harsh" sounding. But personally that's what I like about it. To me, it sounds very strong, masculine, and pleasing to listen to.
1 person has voted this message useful



scop
Diglot
Groupie
Ireland
Joined 5849 days ago

70 posts - 73 votes 
Speaks: English*, Irish
Studies: German, Ancient Greek

 
 Message 48 of 118
31 January 2009 at 10:08am | IP Logged 
Arabic dialects: Someone with an interest in current events/politics
English: Practical
French: Into beauty, poetry, elegance
German: Almost always someone pursuing Philosophy. The language of truth.
Russian: A chic language. Russian women...
Italian: No idea
Spanish: Like English, appeals to the practical.
Greek : Classically minded
Chinese: Somebody looking to the future
Japanese: Japanese women...like Russian
Hebrew: Someone moving to Israel.


1 person has voted this message useful



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