Very often we see people being ridiculed when someone doesn't pronounce a word properly, make spelling mistakes or don't write something in proper English, either on whatsapp, social media or online forums.

Why is it okay to laugh at someone who is trying to write or speak in a language which is a second language or has to do it due to circumstances or lack of decent education.

I get that someone mispronouncing a word might be quite funny for someone who is quite fluent in that language, but where's our humanity? The kind of posts I see on the forum which make fun of people's not so good English, I honestly think comes from privilege.

When you start learning a new language you realise how embarrassing and humiliating it can be to be made fun of.

Being familiar with a language and actually learning to speak, read or write that language is a totally different ball game. I've tried learning Zulu and all I have is some words and phrases so far. But those that I have used my limited language skills with, have never ridiculed me.

So lets be aware that those of us that can speak the queens English do come from a position of privilege.

Spot on bbw4me. If a sexy French or Spanish lady came on here with broken English, no one would correct her and they would find it quite sexy. It's quite shocking how we discriminate against people from certain parts of the world, particularly Africans.

I think i know where this post is coming from and which topic it refers to. I have posted a remark on that topic relating to the same thing bit its not about the use of the english language its the abbreviated text speech which I find highly irritating.

Maybe im too old school but if you can speak english and write it then why not flaunt it. It does not matter a stitch how badly or well you can speak it or if some of the words are misspelt, i can still make it out.....i cant make out abbreciated text speech and find it damned annoying to figure out what he person is saying when they could have taken 3 or 4 seconds longer to just type it out properly in plain old english

And here I am talking about spelling...speed typing aint my thing

@yankee23a I agree. I too abhor the SMS language. Had my kids using the same and couldn't get them to abandon it as their peers do it and its not "cool" if you don't follow suit.

Agreed....and the kids can achieve A's in the respective languages they are taught for writing essays etc where spelling is marked..mmm....then come home and everything converts to text speak....what a waste of school fees !!!!!......that kind of speak doesnt do anyone any favours when trying to get a message across....and expecting to be taken seriously at the same time

Interesting topic.

This might just be my limited view on this, but what I have noticed in SA is that people get offended for being ridiculed or laughed at for their inability to speak the English language. With the other languages, they just laugh at themselves and don't seem to be bothered much.

The sad thing is that an inability to speak proper English can sometimes be used to infer that a person may be dumber than someone who can (the irony is that studies show that people who use overly-complex English are also viewed as dumber).

As open-minded members of society, we should be able to be more accepting of those whose English may not be as good as our own.

I hear what is being said. I for one fucking hate this abreviated english that people type in...'dem' 'dat'...etc

I lived in South America for a couple of years and learning another language is difficult. I take my hat off to people who can speak/write more than their mother- tongue and would never ridicule them for their efforts.

Some people might bitch and moan about Uncle Bens corrections but I take it as a learning and appreciate the help