Well, I wasn't trying to offend
anyone with any of my comments on those various tongues, so let me explain my
position:
A) In Texas,
we usually disrespect Spanish speakers, especially native English speakers that
have learnt Spanish as a second language. The reason for this is the constant
illegal immigration from Mexico, which, frankly, we don't enjoy. Since so few of
the (illegal) immigrants speak English, the damn politicians decided to help
them along and make everything bilingual - street signs, menus, etc., and
mandatory Spanish in elementary school. So most of us prouder Texan types make a
conscientious effort to avoid the Spanish language, as sort of a "political
statement."
B) Most of
my encounters with the French and the Quebecois have not been pleasant - they've
a bad reputation ecumenically. And the written language just looks funny, I mean
come on - "hors d'oeuvre" looks naught like 'tis spelled and resembles something
closer to "horse diver."
C)
Personally, the Japanese language brings two things to mind: anime and kendo. I
hate anime. It has ruined my brother. It and its various incarnations are
ruining society. And kendo - I took almost 2 years of it, 3 hours every
Friday and Saturday, doing not much more than getting yelled at in Japanese. So
the language just brings back bad memories. Beside which, I find Japanese
history and culture to be somewhat reprehensible.
No offense meant to anyone, really!
And I don't mean to come across as some backwoods prejudiced southern redneck or
whatever, as everyone else has said, 'tis just my opine.
Jackson Wade Crawford - The Raven of Texas/ Corvvs Texanis/ Kruk
Teksasu
International Director, Corvist Association for the Preservation and
Perpetuation of Free Will