tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039532225394731616.post914375042943824170..comments2023-09-16T11:39:35.167+02:00Comments on Izzonline - GOBiG on Life: Plato and the humbling, admirable, odd white manIzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10526355824376465709noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039532225394731616.post-81282870020947035022007-05-30T22:44:00.000+02:002007-05-30T22:44:00.000+02:00Pseudo-Independent, I do read philosophy although ...Pseudo-Independent, I do read philosophy although I'm not big on politics or political theory except for the general news in the world.<BR/><BR/>I hadn't in fact thought of the language imperiliasm as far as Afrikaans also falling victim. But after you mentioned it, I've given it quick thought and realised that over time, I may have infact gathered that it is victim, for English predominates - mainly in customer service situations as you put it.<BR/><BR/>I think your tip-reduction-plan is a great way for yourself to keep reminder that people can do better if they wanted to. It's all a matter of small effort,mfoweto!<BR/><BR/>I hope although we may not know each others languages in South Africans, we can still proudly, and deeply so, appreciate each other with utmost respect.Izzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10526355824376465709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039532225394731616.post-60629974645253879192007-05-29T18:37:00.000+02:002007-05-29T18:37:00.000+02:00As an Afrikaans person of rather pale complexion I...As an Afrikaans person of rather pale complexion I should say that I think most Afrikaans people - at least in the cities - really appreciate it when people can and want to speak their language. This is especially the case in a customer service situation - I always give a much bigger tip in a tipping situation if I am served in good Afrikaans by a non-mother tongue speaker. In fact, they often speak it much better than the Afrikaans teenage hooligans that work with them. Unfortunately it is the case that hardly anybody appreciates it when you or I speak English, mFowethu. I think that it is big problem in SA cities that we feel that we should speak English in the most elementary situations. Anyway, do not expect too much appreciation from an Afrikaans person about your English - we also feel we HAVE to speak it. Thanks for the nice story, anyhow!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039532225394731616.post-45714501176083361472007-05-21T14:21:00.000+02:002007-05-21T14:21:00.000+02:00Voodoo to my ears? I am an African of Yoruba origi...Voodoo to my ears? I am an African of Yoruba origins and know the feeling when a "race that popularly disregards indigenous languages" speaks your tongue. There is nothing else like it; nothing so good, certainly. It is a challenge and a triumph. However I must say this post has a morning freshness to it and I like it. Perhaps am just looking for a very good book. <BR/><BR/>I am guessing you love philosophy and political theory??https://www.blogger.com/profile/01992276117548193938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039532225394731616.post-70237962468884865432007-05-21T12:10:00.000+02:002007-05-21T12:10:00.000+02:00These are interesting observations, and ones that ...These are interesting observations, and ones that should not be necessarily racialised, but rather thought of from cultural perspectives.Izzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10526355824376465709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039532225394731616.post-83618893053882222042007-05-21T11:52:00.000+02:002007-05-21T11:52:00.000+02:00It was humbling because of its rarity. It was also...It was humbling because of its rarity. It was also humbling because at the back of my mind, I know that most whites wouldn't give a dime that I speak and write in English with perfected finesse. That to get to that point, I had to learnn it. Word for word. I started learning English at about 14 when we discovered TV at home. <BR/><BR/>What I also honestly think is that, those who can appreciate without discriminating, have the potential of being at a great advantage. Hence that man's other comment was that he gained advantage in learning shangaan.<BR/><BR/>But you are right, what is the average (that a black man speak English) is never exhilirating.Izzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10526355824376465709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039532225394731616.post-2230897221214168312007-05-21T11:44:00.000+02:002007-05-21T11:44:00.000+02:00Indeed, it is a humbling experience but i do not k...Indeed, it is a humbling experience but i do not know; why that is. I am Zulu and even though as you said Zulu speaking whites are now a dime a dozen, I still experience a level of exhilaration.<BR/><BR/>Curiously though, whites do not seem to experience similar sentiments when they realise we speak English or Afrikaans. I think the reason for this is that we are expected to be able to speak those languages... and you know what, it makes me question myself.<BR/><BR/>Why do I get excited about someone speaking my language when they don't get excited that I speak theirs ?<BR/><BR/>It makes me wonder if those sentiments I experience are coming from a deeper desire for my language or culture to be validated ? What do you think ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com