“l’accento anglofono è fastidioso” – the English accent is annoying
(referring to Anglo-Saxon accents in Italian)
This kind of comment makes me want to scream. I know, it’s just keyboard warriors but still. *muffled screaming in office* This is not to say that in second languages, we shouldn’t make an effort with pronunciation, in fact many polyglots concentrate heavily on pronunciation and accent and do a damn good job with it. All I’m saying is that our reaction to the outcome of these efforts needs to change, we should be applauding all efforts and not only perfection when it comes to language-learning. Call me an idealist but I hope that one day no one will have to be told that their accent is annoying but instead, that it’s wonderful and admirable and brave that they are learning another language.
In conclusion, let's all be more like this towards each other:
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If you want to get into the sappy language stuff, try these:
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My Canadian Identity Abroad in Italy: The Conundrum
Survey Results: Can You Fall in Love Without Speaking the Same Language?
Can You Fall in Love Without Speaking the Same Language?
How to Fight and Make Love in Two Languages
The Relationship Between Loving Someone and the Language You Love With