Comments on: When your English is too good

By: Jenny Zhang

Jenny Zhang — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 04:28:49 +0000

A real-life Catch 22 story. What is sadder about the story is that many EFL learners across the world don’t have basic critical language awareness. The hegemony of English, nowadays, is not simply imposed by “inner circle” English-speaking countries onto EFL societies but constructed and reinforced locally by EFL societies themselves. In most EFL Asian countries, English carries miraculous symbolic meaning for economic advancement and upward social mobility.

Just see how Liu Wenli (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_1halx5D1k), an ordinary Chinese policeman made famous and were set up as a role modal by the Chinese government after he acquired English with a Brooklyn accent.

By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:57:12 +0000

Ironic is it not? One would think in the 21st century that a person’s place of birth and/or nationality would not be so thoroughly linked to assumptions about language.That in this ever-mobile world, people would not find this so amazing. And yet, I find the Canadians shocked to discover that I (an American) speak French, the border guards everywhere have trouble with the fact that my husband has an Italian passport while mine is US, that he has been asked why his family is living in France, etc.
Worse yet, were it simply the population in general I might understand, but when people work in international airports? Do they fail to see the delightful diversity of humanity that is “mixing it up” globally as we travel and learn about each other? Ah well, one day perhaps.

By: vittoria

vittoria — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:26:04 +0000

Hi,
This is a very interesting piece. I have been fascinated by the response to Alex’s accent by the media. I am not Australian born but people assume I am – I have often been asked how I managed to learn it and get away without having ‘an accent’. In other words I have to justify why it’s not as ‘bad’ as it should be because I am a migrant.
Re in/formal language. I find it interesting that knowledge of slang terms becomes a test or measure of English competence. I recently heard a tertiary level international student say his English was ‘not good’ because he didn’t understand some Australian slang words.
Vittoria.

By: Vahid

Vahid — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:07:36 +0000

Dear Ingrid,

And Sometimes the english of non-native students of English is automatically biased toward formality! Once when I was a BA stdent of Englsih I wanted to apply for a TTC in Canada. I, thereofre, sent my application form to the secretary of the university which at that time was offering such a course. Having examined my application form, she replied “vahid! do you read shakespeare alot?!!!”

Have fun,
vahid