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So, I’m going to say this and I know I’m going to rock the boat — but, a lot of you need to hear it so you can climb off your high horse — so keeping it real here: ??Speaking and/or understanding English is not a signal for someone’s intelligence. Nor is it leeway to degrade people. A lot of you will put down someone who is trying to communicate in English and because they don’t know how to speak or understand it to your degree, you catch a condescending tone or humiliate them (publicly or behind their back). I repeat, speaking or understanding English is not a signal for intelligence. Nor is it leeway to degrade people. #theBOLDjourney
So very true Akosua! Thanks for addressing this issue.
absolutely spot on Akosua Boadi-Agyemang, but sadly there are some very ignorant people who believes otherwise....
I’ve also experienced the other side where people complimented me on my English speaking skills and to hear a sentence like “oh wow I didn’t expect you to speak so fluently “ ?? This was definitely frustrating because again, as you said, it doesn’t indicate ANYTHING related to intelligence and it shouldn’t be surprising or inspiring. Aahh!
I never feel so stupid or so lazy or so wildly overvalued as I do when I’m in a grocery store in another country and the person working the check out for a wage that’s a fraction of the US minimum wage communicates with me with a phenomenal command of the English language. Or any command at all, for that matter. Meanwhile, I struggle to find the words to ask for a bag in their language, despite the fact that I’m in their country.
Totally relate.
In fact, someone who's second language is english has learned another language, to whatever extent. That takes intelligence, committment, and perserverence.
While I fully support this note, I cannot help but see the irony in the fact that this post has to be written in English for most folks to understand. ??
Fact
Thank you for this... Sometimes some people hold back their thoughts, because some one is critical marking their English online. Most would have love to communicate in their native language if the platform allows. I totally agrees with you...how good one can speak or write English doesn't determine Intelligence. It really not about impeccable English but rather expression of views and acceptance. Thank you for bringing this up.
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2 年Very good points and I agree wholeheartedly. In fact, I find the white(English speaking)/only language folks, have the most trouble with their one and only language. They are often so bad at spelling and grammar and speech!! I find that horrifying lol and it’s way too common. I’m envious of those who speak more than one language!! Shame on those who do such a thing.