I Believe..

Massive · 08-25-2010, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapaC

I believe stating *any* language as a 'bastardized' version of any other language to be rude and repulsive.

bas·tard·ize (bstr-dz)
tr.v. bas·tard·ized, bas·tard·iz·ing, bas·tard·iz·es
1. To lower in quality or character; debase.
2. To declare or prove (someone) to be a bastard.
bastard·i·zation (-tr-d-zshn) n.

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Nations and cultures have invaded other nations and cultures for eons, and it's not just the english language that is a "conglomerate" of other languages.

Here's why I'm a little 'picky' on the word 'bastardization' when used to describe languages. I had someone of British/Anglo Saxon heritage tell me once that Portuguese was 'just a bastardized version of Spanish'. What ticked me off even more from that experience? She was a graduate student in linguistics. I felt because of her educational prowess I didn't have much to debate her on the issue.

Instead I walked away in disgust, felt like my culture was shat on by someone who wasn't even in a position to 'joke', 'comment', 'tease' in the same manner if say... an Spanish speaking person had said that to me (as least there would be a shared experience and history of the multitude of cultures/race that have attacked/settled in the Iberian Peninsula for well over a thousand years.)

I believe I'm not 'attacking' you personally Massive, and I hope this doesn't sound overly harsh. I'm presenting some historical context as to why.

I believe we should all take care about using a word like 'bastardization' when describing *any* language that is so heavily related to ones culture or race.

Thanks for understanding.

I respect what you're saying, but I was talking about the language of my own culture, and country, the language that is spoken in the United Kingdom is a mixture of all the countries we've invaded and been invaded by since before we were a united kingdom, that was where my statement was coming from. I need to keep reminding myself that this is an american site again it seems.