This is absolutely not an attack on the video creator but the fact that this topic has to be discussed at all is completely insane. I do not think it is a question worth asking. To live in a world where it makes sense to criticize and discourage language acquisition b/c its "culturally insensitive" is not only ridiculous but it is also counter to the goals of diversity. I cannot imagine a better way to sow division, hatred, suspicion, and anger than to say to people "you cannot learn this language b/c ur the wrong color/from the wrong place" that is insane and completely antipodal to the idea that diversity makes us stronger
Not an attack at all: I value your input! I do think that there are clear instances of cultural appropriation, but language learning isn't one of them. Perhaps we've gone too far in one direction, and we've lost the point of what we're trying to accomplish. Thanks for watching!
@@ThePolyglotFiles thank you for the nice response. I agree that there are definitely distasteful and offensive ways of interacting with other cultures but I do think the discourse around this kinda thing does have the power to set back diversity goals. To be clear I do NOT think this video was bad or outrageous. it was very reasonable and well explained. I do know people who fervently believe language acquisition cannot be done “ethically” depending on WHO is learning the language and I just really think that’s a bad attitude to have towards things like this. I think that sort of identity policing is really divisive. I do agree that a person learning the language should have some level of respect and consideration for the speakers but WHO is learning the language should not matter even if HOW they do it might
I speak Afrikaans as my home language, and I find it really cool when foreign people try to speak Afrikaans to me (even if they butcher it xD). To me, it's a sign of respect. It's the same reason why I'm learning Xhosa (because I live in an area where most people speak it)
I've dropped a few languages because I found I just wasn't that into the culture. I dropped another language I loved because I realized that there was no one who really needed for me to speak it, i.e. I would in no way make the world a better place by learning it. I stick with the languages I do because I love at least some aspect of the culture; I need it to cement family ties; to be able to serve people in that language; or my speaking it will bring a smile to someone's face. (Love the beard, love the dance, love that you're back!)
Connecting with culture is definitely important. Languages don't exist in the vacuum, after all. Thanks so much for the kind words! It feels great to be back :)
In my experience and observation, the people who tell you that you’re appropriating their culture by learning their language are the quickest - and fiercest - to condemn you for not understanding their language when they want to use it in school, at work, in the courts, and on business.
Such an exhausting/exasperating topic, honestly. Learning a language is not cultural appropriation, and it doesn’t matter what your intentions/reasons are. People may be forced to learn a language because of their environment. No appreciation is necessary. The great thing about it is you eventually learn about the culture and the people whether you want to or not. I don’t think you can totally avoid that aspect as you continue to learn, even if you focus mainly on grammar and vocab. As for the lack of enthusiasm for people learning English, that’s because it’s spoken non-natively by so many people (the majority of speakers are non-native, after all). It’s just not impressive unless someone has an insane vocabulary and mastery of the language that exceeds that of a typical native speaker. Nothing “systemic” about it. That being said, I don’t think anyone should expect people to speak English; when I am abroad, I am very careful and apologetic about having to speak English, and I am very appreciative when people are willing to speak English with me. The English-speakers who expect to be understood by everyone (especially when they raise their voices) are the problem. Lol
The PC mindset and the Woke mindset are just recent tools of Cultural Marxism. Cultural Marxism itself is an evolution in the Marxist mindset because the old Economic Mindset wasn't working. One thing to keep in mind about Marxism: The topic is never the topic--the topic is the revolution. Cultural appropriation is never the topic--the topic is the revolution. All these Woke ideas promoting division and disunity exist for the sake of plunging society into opposing camps so that chaos ensues--then comes the revolution. It's the old trick of divide and conquer. What frosts me is how so many people are so simple-minded that they fall for this nonsensical brainwashing. Can you not think for yourselves?
With age comes wisdom... not always, I'm afraid. I'm a middle-aged lover of languages and my natural reaction to anyone saying that learning a language is cultural appropriation would be that of smiling, coming close and then bashing the culprit's head against the wall/another person who say the same thing's head. I have the body size, strength and determination to do that, so, please, appreciate my restraint. I'm Italian and one of the first worries of my mother was that I needed to learn English to improve my chances at a career. She sent me and my sister (we're talking more than 40 years ago, here) to private afternoon schools spending much of our non existing disposable income for this purpose and those schools weren't even all that good in the end. Was this cultural appropriation? Or was it the foreknowledge that I would have met a competitive job environment and I would have needed to be fluent in English to survive? Later on, I attended a school for a career in tourism. That school had students learn English and two other languages, the two languages most spoken by tourists coming to my area. There was no interest in the culture there, it was opportunistic. Was that cultural appropriation or survival of the fittest? Decades later, enjoying the security of a good job that pays my bills and is more or less tolerable, I came back to my love for languages... which one, though? There are thousands, all interesting and my time is limited. Japanese is one of them. I don't need Japanese to earn more. I just want to discover that strange country and one can only do it through its language. I don't want to be like those US RUclipsrs that spend years there talking about the latest Japanese trend and can hardly order a coffee in a bar. In my opinion, THOSE RUclipsRS - who don't speak the language - might be considered cultural appropriators.
This pc mindset is another reason why i like to learn languages. it makes no sense and it seems to only be a thing in English speaking countries and a few west European ones like my own country Belgium. but it really has an impact on he quality of news and other media in most countries they don't care about it .i think it started because a native American tribe didn't like people using their dress that was only used for special occasions. and then people started applying that logic to all non European cultures. while most Asians and Africans think its a good thing when people use things from their culture .
That's an interesting viewpoint. It's pretty much daily news here in Canada. To be fair, I do think it needs some attention. Especially considering a musician from the US just got caught pretending to be Indigenous for like 60 years. But there is a line somewhere. Language learning shouldn't be put in that category.
glad to hear you say that polyglot files. but i dont think you wentnhard enough on the difference between the head dresses and pretending to be indigenous. people want to keep their languages alive. they want to be involved in the process...as for spanish...totally.insane
The PC mindset and the Woke mindset are just recent tools of Cultural Marxism. Cultural Marxism itself is an evolution in the Marxist mindset because the old Economic Mindset wasn't working. One thing to keep in mind about Marxism: The topic is never the topic--the topic is the revolution. Cultural appropriation is never the topic--the topic is the revolution. All these Woke ideas promoting division and disunity exist for the sake of plunging society into opposing camps so that chaos ensues--then comes the revolution. It's the old trick of divide and conquer. What frosts me is how so many people are so simple-minded that they fall for this nonsensical brainwashing. Can you not think for yourselves?
The PC mindset and the Woke mindset are just recent tools of Cultural Marxism. Cultural Marxism itself is an evolution in the Marxist mindset because the old Economic Mindset wasn't working. One thing to keep in mind about Marxism: The topic is never the topic--the topic is the revolution. Cultural appropriation is never the topic--the topic is the revolution. All these Woke ideas promoting division and disunity exist for the sake of plunging society into opposing camps so that chaos ensues--then comes the revolution. It's the old trick of divide and conquer. What frosts me is how so many people are so simple-minded that they fall for this nonsensical brainwashing. Can you not think for yourselves?
I think it must be nearly impossible, especially if we view language as a tool, a medium to express information and culture through written and spoken communication. That is not a cultural practice or norm that can be emulated for personal gain.
Cultural appropriation can only occur if there is a lack of understanding and cultural distance from the person doing the appropriation. To learn a language where you are able to have a fluent conversation with a native speaker is definitionally the *opposite* of that. You *have* to have an understanding of the grammar, of the words and their connotations, etc. to learn a language. Me did wan time badda se me av dis choggle weh me wan lern Patwa, ca me na Jamaican an me na Black, but me no inna me 'eart se me av a deep lov an passion fe Jamaican culture an livety an suh me na badda dis na more. Patwa a lovely language an de plenty yardman dat look lek me. No Jamaican eva tell me fe stop a chat Patwa.
The PC mindset and the Woke mindset are just recent tools of Cultural Marxism. Cultural Marxism itself is an evolution in the Marxist mindset because the old Economic Mindset wasn't working. One thing to keep in mind about Marxism: The topic is never the topic--the topic is the revolution. Cultural appropriation is never the topic--the topic is the revolution. All these Woke ideas promoting division and disunity exist for the sake of plunging society into opposing camps so that chaos ensues--then comes the revolution. It's the old trick of divide and conquer. What frosts me is how so many people are so simple-minded that they fall for this nonsensical brainwashing. Can you not think for yourselves?
I do think PC can go wild and that cultural appropriation discussions can fall into that category, but that doesn’t mean the entire concept should be dismissed! Overall, I don’t think learning other languages is cultural appropriation, as that would lead to cultural segregation, with every culture being “separate, yet equal” (and we all know how that worked out). Also, so much literature that has had a significant impact is translated: someone had to learn multiple languages to be able to make those texts accessible across languages. (The Holy Bible is one such text.) Nevertheless, I did read something about cultural appropriation in language-learning that makes a lot of sense, concerning learning Arabic: folks who learn Arabic to work for the Department of Defense, considering the drone attacks and bombs that fall on Arab countries. I don’t think they were telling folks to not learn Arabic: they were criticizing doing so for reasons that harm Arabs. I majored in translation in college and studied Arabic: the most common recommendation I received was to work for the US government. However, that isn’t an option because of my antiwar values. The whole reason I started learning Arabic was because I came of age during the Bush years. In fact, I turned 18 days before the Iraq War started. I soon started questioning the rhetoric and I decided to learn Arabic to see for myself if the rhetoric was true, something I started to do years later.) So, overall, it isn’t appropriation to learn another language, but it can be. (Another way it can be appropriation is if you translate texts in polemical ways to give folks a bad impression of the other culture, something that has happened historically with Islamic texts.)
Anybody that thinks language learning is cultural appropriation is someone that is too stupid for me to want to communicate with. I’ve personally been accused of this for learning Spanish. Never mind the fact that is a widely spoken language in my part of the US, and never mind that it’s a language that originated in a white European country. Languages are meant for everyone. Learning languages facilitates communication and brings people closer and increases understanding among other cultures. Cultural appropriation claims are usually made by racists that are looking for a reason to be offended and accuse other people of what they themselves are guilty of.
Lets all stop learning other languages, then lets see how diplomacy happens XD. I wonder if some people would say translators are profiting from cultural appropriation.
If language learning is cultural appropriation, then so is claiming to be Irish and getting drunk on St Patty’s Day. It’s offensive to my people. (Sarcasm font)
If that’s true I’m going to appropriate every single language in the world, I love appropriating things, my favourite comedian is al Jolson and I love mocking other races while wearing all their culture. Mmm yes, that’s it yeah
Lost me at "systemic" .. a word I detest especially when used in conjunction with racism. BTW .. was Trudeau trying to learn ebonics when that black face picture surfaced? If so I guess he wasn't appropriating after all ..
Anyone who seriously thinks this question needs to be answered hasn't been outside to see the "spotlight" since 2014
Not sure which position you're taking here!
This is absolutely not an attack on the video creator but the fact that this topic has to be discussed at all is completely insane. I do not think it is a question worth asking. To live in a world where it makes sense to criticize and discourage language acquisition b/c its "culturally insensitive" is not only ridiculous but it is also counter to the goals of diversity.
I cannot imagine a better way to sow division, hatred, suspicion, and anger than to say to people "you cannot learn this language b/c ur the wrong color/from the wrong place" that is insane and completely antipodal to the idea that diversity makes us stronger
Not an attack at all: I value your input! I do think that there are clear instances of cultural appropriation, but language learning isn't one of them. Perhaps we've gone too far in one direction, and we've lost the point of what we're trying to accomplish. Thanks for watching!
I fully agree with you! I don't think I could say it better myself.
I couldn’t agree more!
@@ThePolyglotFiles thank you for the nice response. I agree that there are definitely distasteful and offensive ways of interacting with other cultures but I do think the discourse around this kinda thing does have the power to set back diversity goals.
To be clear I do NOT think this video was bad or outrageous. it was very reasonable and well explained.
I do know people who fervently believe language acquisition cannot be done “ethically” depending on WHO is learning the language and I just really think that’s a bad attitude to have towards things like this. I think that sort of identity policing is really divisive. I do agree that a person learning the language should have some level of respect and consideration for the speakers but WHO is learning the language should not matter even if HOW they do it might
I speak Afrikaans as my home language, and I find it really cool when foreign people try to speak Afrikaans to me (even if they butcher it xD). To me, it's a sign of respect. It's the same reason why I'm learning Xhosa (because I live in an area where most people speak it)
I've dropped a few languages because I found I just wasn't that into the culture. I dropped another language I loved because I realized that there was no one who really needed for me to speak it, i.e. I would in no way make the world a better place by learning it. I stick with the languages I do because I love at least some aspect of the culture; I need it to cement family ties; to be able to serve people in that language; or my speaking it will bring a smile to someone's face. (Love the beard, love the dance, love that you're back!)
Connecting with culture is definitely important. Languages don't exist in the vacuum, after all. Thanks so much for the kind words! It feels great to be back :)
In my experience and observation, the people who tell you that you’re appropriating their culture by learning their language are the quickest - and fiercest - to condemn you for not understanding their language when they want to use it in school, at work, in the courts, and on business.
Such an exhausting/exasperating topic, honestly. Learning a language is not cultural appropriation, and it doesn’t matter what your intentions/reasons are. People may be forced to learn a language because of their environment. No appreciation is necessary. The great thing about it is you eventually learn about the culture and the people whether you want to or not. I don’t think you can totally avoid that aspect as you continue to learn, even if you focus mainly on grammar and vocab.
As for the lack of enthusiasm for people learning English, that’s because it’s spoken non-natively by so many people (the majority of speakers are non-native, after all). It’s just not impressive unless someone has an insane vocabulary and mastery of the language that exceeds that of a typical native speaker. Nothing “systemic” about it. That being said, I don’t think anyone should expect people to speak English; when I am abroad, I am very careful and apologetic about having to speak English, and I am very appreciative when people are willing to speak English with me. The English-speakers who expect to be understood by everyone (especially when they raise their voices) are the problem. Lol
The PC mindset and the Woke mindset are just recent tools of Cultural Marxism. Cultural Marxism itself is an evolution in the Marxist mindset because the old Economic Mindset wasn't working.
One thing to keep in mind about Marxism: The topic is never the topic--the topic is the revolution. Cultural appropriation is never the topic--the topic is the revolution. All these Woke ideas promoting division and disunity exist for the sake of plunging society into opposing camps so that chaos ensues--then comes the revolution. It's the old trick of divide and conquer.
What frosts me is how so many people are so simple-minded that they fall for this nonsensical brainwashing. Can you not think for yourselves?
Cultural appreciation 😊
I like to think the same :)
With age comes wisdom... not always, I'm afraid.
I'm a middle-aged lover of languages and my natural reaction to anyone saying that learning a language is cultural appropriation would be that of smiling, coming close and then bashing the culprit's head against the wall/another person who say the same thing's head. I have the body size, strength and determination to do that, so, please, appreciate my restraint.
I'm Italian and one of the first worries of my mother was that I needed to learn English to improve my chances at a career. She sent me and my sister (we're talking more than 40 years ago, here) to private afternoon schools spending much of our non existing disposable income for this purpose and those schools weren't even all that good in the end.
Was this cultural appropriation? Or was it the foreknowledge that I would have met a competitive job environment and I would have needed to be fluent in English to survive?
Later on, I attended a school for a career in tourism. That school had students learn English and two other languages, the two languages most spoken by tourists coming to my area. There was no interest in the culture there, it was opportunistic. Was that cultural appropriation or survival of the fittest?
Decades later, enjoying the security of a good job that pays my bills and is more or less tolerable, I came back to my love for languages... which one, though? There are thousands, all interesting and my time is limited.
Japanese is one of them. I don't need Japanese to earn more. I just want to discover that strange country and one can only do it through its language. I don't want to be like those US RUclipsrs that spend years there talking about the latest Japanese trend and can hardly order a coffee in a bar.
In my opinion, THOSE RUclipsRS - who don't speak the language - might be considered cultural appropriators.
This pc mindset is another reason why i like to learn languages. it makes no sense and it seems to only be a thing in English speaking countries and a few west European ones like my own country Belgium. but it really has an impact on he quality of news and other media in most countries they don't care about it .i think it started because a native American tribe didn't like people using their dress that was only used for special occasions. and then people started applying that logic to all non European cultures. while most Asians and Africans think its a good thing when people use things from their culture .
That's an interesting viewpoint. It's pretty much daily news here in Canada. To be fair, I do think it needs some attention. Especially considering a musician from the US just got caught pretending to be Indigenous for like 60 years. But there is a line somewhere. Language learning shouldn't be put in that category.
glad to hear you say that polyglot files. but i dont think you wentnhard enough on the difference between the head dresses and pretending to be indigenous. people want to keep their languages alive. they want to be involved in the process...as for spanish...totally.insane
The PC mindset and the Woke mindset are just recent tools of Cultural Marxism. Cultural Marxism itself is an evolution in the Marxist mindset because the old Economic Mindset wasn't working.
One thing to keep in mind about Marxism: The topic is never the topic--the topic is the revolution. Cultural appropriation is never the topic--the topic is the revolution. All these Woke ideas promoting division and disunity exist for the sake of plunging society into opposing camps so that chaos ensues--then comes the revolution. It's the old trick of divide and conquer.
What frosts me is how so many people are so simple-minded that they fall for this nonsensical brainwashing. Can you not think for yourselves?
The PC mindset and the Woke mindset are just recent tools of Cultural Marxism. Cultural Marxism itself is an evolution in the Marxist mindset because the old Economic Mindset wasn't working.
One thing to keep in mind about Marxism: The topic is never the topic--the topic is the revolution. Cultural appropriation is never the topic--the topic is the revolution. All these Woke ideas promoting division and disunity exist for the sake of plunging society into opposing camps so that chaos ensues--then comes the revolution. It's the old trick of divide and conquer.
What frosts me is how so many people are so simple-minded that they fall for this nonsensical brainwashing. Can you not think for yourselves?
I think it must be nearly impossible, especially if we view language as a tool, a medium to express information and culture through written and spoken communication. That is not a cultural practice or norm that can be emulated for personal gain.
Cultural appropriation can only occur if there is a lack of understanding and cultural distance from the person doing the appropriation. To learn a language where you are able to have a fluent conversation with a native speaker is definitionally the *opposite* of that. You *have* to have an understanding of the grammar, of the words and their connotations, etc. to learn a language.
Me did wan time badda se me av dis choggle weh me wan lern Patwa, ca me na Jamaican an me na Black, but me no inna me 'eart se me av a deep lov an passion fe Jamaican culture an livety an suh me na badda dis na more. Patwa a lovely language an de plenty yardman dat look lek me. No Jamaican eva tell me fe stop a chat Patwa.
The PC mindset and the Woke mindset are just recent tools of Cultural Marxism. Cultural Marxism itself is an evolution in the Marxist mindset because the old Economic Mindset wasn't working.
One thing to keep in mind about Marxism: The topic is never the topic--the topic is the revolution. Cultural appropriation is never the topic--the topic is the revolution. All these Woke ideas promoting division and disunity exist for the sake of plunging society into opposing camps so that chaos ensues--then comes the revolution. It's the old trick of divide and conquer.
What frosts me is how so many people are so simple-minded that they fall for this nonsensical brainwashing. Can you not think for yourselves?
I do think PC can go wild and that cultural appropriation discussions can fall into that category, but that doesn’t mean the entire concept should be dismissed!
Overall, I don’t think learning other languages is cultural appropriation, as that would lead to cultural segregation, with every culture being “separate, yet equal” (and we all know how that worked out). Also, so much literature that has had a significant impact is translated: someone had to learn multiple languages to be able to make those texts accessible across languages. (The Holy Bible is one such text.)
Nevertheless, I did read something about cultural appropriation in language-learning that makes a lot of sense, concerning learning Arabic: folks who learn Arabic to work for the Department of Defense, considering the drone attacks and bombs that fall on Arab countries. I don’t think they were telling folks to not learn Arabic: they were criticizing doing so for reasons that harm Arabs. I majored in translation in college and studied Arabic: the most common recommendation I received was to work for the US government. However, that isn’t an option because of my antiwar values. The whole reason I started learning Arabic was because I came of age during the Bush years. In fact, I turned 18 days before the Iraq War started. I soon started questioning the rhetoric and I decided to learn Arabic to see for myself if the rhetoric was true, something I started to do years later.)
So, overall, it isn’t appropriation to learn another language, but it can be. (Another way it can be appropriation is if you translate texts in polemical ways to give folks a bad impression of the other culture, something that has happened historically with Islamic texts.)
You've started making videos again, great to see you
Anybody that thinks language learning is cultural appropriation is someone that is too stupid for me to want to communicate with. I’ve personally been accused of this for learning Spanish. Never mind the fact that is a widely spoken language in my part of the US, and never mind that it’s a language that originated in a white European country. Languages are meant for everyone. Learning languages facilitates communication and brings people closer and increases understanding among other cultures. Cultural appropriation claims are usually made by racists that are looking for a reason to be offended and accuse other people of what they themselves are guilty of.
good to see you back. Learning languages is not cultural appropriation. I think we're getting way too sensitive now
Lets all stop learning other languages, then lets see how diplomacy happens XD.
I wonder if some people would say translators are profiting from cultural appropriation.
If language learning is cultural appropriation, then so is claiming to be Irish and getting drunk on St Patty’s Day. It’s offensive to my people. (Sarcasm font)
No. Next question.
2:34
The whole concept of cultural appropriation is stupid.
the people saying this are trolls looking to stir the pot
If that’s true I’m going to appropriate every single language in the world, I love appropriating things, my favourite comedian is al Jolson and I love mocking other races while wearing all their culture. Mmm yes, that’s it yeah
0:36 You appropriated their LAND so don't worry about appropriating their fashion 😂
Lost me at "systemic" .. a word I detest especially when used in conjunction with racism. BTW .. was Trudeau trying to learn ebonics when that black face picture surfaced? If so I guess he wasn't appropriating after all ..
NONSENSE
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteridge%27s_law_of_headlines