This post is a flipside part of my monthly “10 Reasons” blog argument. The first part of the argument is HERE, and you should probably read it first.
10. People feel uncomfortable when you speak a “strange” language around them.
9. If you don’t already know how to speak it, or speak it correctly, how would you speak it?
8. English already has enough speakers? Perhaps not enough. And in any case, how many people understand your “African” language?
7. You could be mistaken for a terrorist.
6. If you’re gonna be in America for a long time, you may as well put the language in a safe cooler.
5. It brings you close to those who share your background and cultural similarity? Yes, but do they want to be close to you on the basis of language? Not really.
4. According to a new research finding, the new generation will rebel against your language use anyway, so what’s the point.
3. The American diversity includes only basically one other language. And it’s Spanish.
2. It’s not always easy to speak, if one thinks in English most of the time.
1. Nobody cares.
Bye bye November
1
Myne Whitman at http://www.mynewhitmanwrites.com
Some of these reasons only make sense where there are no other close people who share the language. Other than that, it is a personal choice. Do you think people feel uncomfortable when French, Portuguese or Chinese is spoken?
Posted at November 30, 2009 on 11:09am.
2
Kola Tubosun at http://www.ktravula.com
Hi Myne Whitman,
Thanks for dropping by.
Did you read the previous post: “10 Reasons To Speak Your Native Language in America.”?
For balance, you should.
Regards
Posted at November 30, 2009 on 11:49am.
3
Secret Friend at http://YourWebsite
Dear Kola,
I am your secret friend from the FL Dept. at SIUE. But you can’t know who I am.
Sorry for leaving this message here but this seems the best way to let you know I exist. 🙂
Secret Friend.
Posted at December 1, 2009 on 12:30pm.
4
Secret Friend at http://YourWebsite
Check your departmental mailbox, Kola! 🙂 🙂
Posted at December 1, 2009 on 1:17pm.
5
Kola Tubosun at http://www.ktravula.com
I’m just noticing the number 7 on this list. Sigh.
Posted at January 1, 2010 on 2:25am.
6
Abi Idowu at http://abidowu.vpweb.co.uk
Apart from being seen as a terrorist, its the ‘say something in your language’ that annoys me, I usually respond with ‘nkan’
However, sometimes, person just want to blend in and not stand out-sad but true.
Posted at January 23, 2010 on 5:54am.
7
Kola Tubosun at http://www.ktravula.com
LOL @ “nkan”.
But you’re right. We sometimes want to be treated just like everybody and not made into some archeological language specimen. And this is not always easy. You already stand out as a stranger in a foreign land, and – not to blame them – many of your hosts also sometimes develop a healthy curiosity about where you’re from and they want to hear you speak. Maybe they should be encouraged. And if we’re not in one of such social moods at the time, well dunno what to suggest 😀
Thanks for stopping by. I’m sorry it took me long to respond to your comment. Sometimes it escapes my tiny head to go back to old articles 🙂 .
Posted at March 4, 2010 on 3:57am.