“Speak English, no one understands what you’re saying!”
The common words I would read from countless ignorant Americans, sad to say they were really the only ones coming out and saying such a thing. However, I wouldn’t need told that not all American people are like this, in fact there are a lot of American people who appreciate the way that I speak. I love the American people, and have done since I was a wee wean. Much of my childhood revolved around American programmes and films, which I loved, so my comment is certainly not one of hate. I wouldn’t stereotype all Americans with the one brush, in fact, I’m sure there are a lot of smart enough Americans that know what they’re talking about or can understand.
It is no wonder however, that certain Scots come out saying they hate Americans however, when you get certain ignorant folk coming out saying to us, to speak English. It’s even worse when you have an American saying “Learn to speak English”, because we can speak English better than they can. It’s not just with Americans but also with certain English folk, and it’s important for me to note, that not all American and English folk are bad, a lot of them are really nice people, but it seems to be these two nations, which will not accept you, if you can’t talk their language. What goes beyond me however, is that certain folk who don’t even speak English as a first language can understand me relatively well, yet the person from America says “Speak English” or “Learn to speak English, because no one understands what you’re saying”, to me that is nothing other than blatant ignorance, if it’s not ignorance, it’s sheer stupidity.
Why can’t people like that take the time to realise that we do not all speak English, and even if they do speak a foreign language and can’t speak English, it does not give one a right to be ignorant to them. Certain folk walk around with the attitude like as if they’re the most important and that no one else matters, it’s as if they’re saying, everyone else that doesn’t speak English, is below them. Sadly there are people that believe that way, believe it or not.
So this is the biggest reason as to why I had made this video, and I’m sorry about the length of the video of course, but I felt I needed to speak my mind on it, and it partially inspired me to make the Scottish Accent videos, because too often I was hearing silly, ignorant comments like that, and felt that it needed to be addressed. I’m not sure where I had read it, but there was a blog some where, that I had read she was Scottish and was over in the United States.
I can’t remember what she was doing, either a student or teacher, but to cut to the point, a teacher or woman apparently said to her “it must have been very difficult for you learning English.” I don’t think this woman even understands not only her own stupidity, but ignorance. The thing is however, this isn’t even her fault, it’s the fault of the American media. Now you can see the reason why am passionate to give you people what you deserve. A taste of the real Scotland, not something fed through the media that’s full of (excuse my language) shite!
I refuse to and will not let those certain ignorant folk, cloud my image of a country that I love, I know that not all Americans are bad or stupid, there are a lot of smart American people out there, a lot that could bloody teach me mathematics. Stereotypes have always been the same, ridiculous. From my Scottish Dialect video, I’ve had many good comments, especially from Americans, and they even say they can understand me no problem, as they stated, it’s certain ignorant folk. Like I put in this analogy, you have a big circle, it’s called the United States. Take that big circle and on the outside, you have a wall, that wall is full of ignorant folk blocking the view of all the good people in the centre. Most stereotypes thrown at America come from that wall of ignorance on the outside of the circle, therefore, you never really see the ones in the centre, they’re often skipped past.
Anyway, I thought I’d post my mind about it, to somewhat give you an understanding, as to partially why I got into making the Scottish Accent videos.
I’m always wary to read posts from Scots who have had negative comments from English or American people. I often find that they make it worse by reacting with hateful stereotypes about other nations – thanks for not being one of those Scots! (Or Scotts, come to that). It’s not that all Americans are ignorant, and even those who are, it’s not necessarily their fault, as you say. I mean, if someone were to ask me what language they speak in Madagascar, I’d have no idea either. But it’s when ignorant people act as if they know it all that pisses me off. I know I’m ignorant about Madagascar, and that’s okay – but if I watched a video by someone from there, I’d act like I stood to learn something from it rather than injecting my own underinformed opinion in there.
As you say, it’s not Americans or the English or whatever. Scottish people can be just as bad for being reactionary and arrogant. It’s ignorance, and it’s the failure to recognise that ignorance. I think this is the first time I’ve ever read something on the internet that addresses the issue without throwing a muckle big raj.
Also, I loved this comment: ‘full of (excuse my language) shite!’
I don’t know if the pun was intended, but the use of Scots word ‘shite’ and the double-meaning of ‘language’ was great, I thought.
Anyway, happy new year and have a great day, y’all.
Hi Megan, thanks for your response. I completely understand where you come from, of course I understand both sides of that. I think it’s wrong to judge the entire nation by the one brush of course, but I see on the other side of it, why they may hate ‘Americans’ as they call it. For me personally, I love the American people, not all Americans as you say are like that. And as for the spelling of Scots, it’s the one ‘t’ lol I can understand some confusion though. I think there is of course no excuse for ignorance, I mean just because I don’t know something, doesn’t mean I should have any freedom to speak ignorantly towards other people for no apparent reason. The way I see it though, the media is definitely to blame Megan, that is without question, they are to blame because of their wrong stereotypes and also where a lot of Americans tend to gain their education.
There are of course people over there like to think they know everything, I know the type, but I don’t let them cloud my image of the country, there are a lot of wonderful people over there. And no, you are not ignorant of Madagascar, I don’t know the map too well, I know where a number of countries are, but I never studied geography. That does not make me ignorant however, just means am not knowledgeable in that area. There’s no evidence for people to claim from a map that someone is ignorant or stupid.
I know myself all too well there are certain pricks in this country, I know that. I grew up around them Megan, I know myself all too well what certain folk are like. And aye, that word is very common in Scottish lol that I do know for sure.
And thanks, hope you have a wonderful year ahead Megan,
Scott
That’s basically the essence of the issue, what I’ve always said: the world needs less ignorance, and more tolerance. Less arrogance, and more willingness to accept there are some things you don’t know and to learn about them. A man’s a man, for a’ that!
Also, I just realised that it’s not actually obvious from my previous comment that I am Scottish. So when I say that I’m always reluctant to read Scots’ views on the issue, I speak as a Scot myself! Like you, I grew up around the same pricks and tend to find that many of my kin go over the top.
Happy new year to you too!
Well Megan, from where you probably grew up in Scotland, I’m not sure where, I grew up in a down to earth city, that’s what Glasgow is, But I know there are certain arseholes right up their own wee bumhole lol oh I know that for sure, I wouldn’t even need to utter a word about neds Megan, you know who am talking about.
You’re right, and I admire your thought for that, that’s the way people should view things, less closed minded. I find that is often the problem even in Scotland, where there seems to be an ignorance. Too quick to call out Americans with one brush. Maybe if they saw past the government, saw past the arseholes, got to know certain American folk, they’d be fine. I would agree, and admit, there are certain arseholes in America who are right up their bum hole, but, not all American people are like that.
I also agree that we don’t know everything, and if people are willing to accept what they don’t know and learn from others, they’d greatly benefit from that.
Am very open minded and outspoken, and I agree. Although, I would never put Scotland on the same level as down south and abroad to America, if you were to ask me, yes, this is a friendlier country, that’s no disrespect of course. There are a lot of wonderful people here in Scotland, but there are many faults. So it’s good that you have that at mind. Never let those arseholes around you drag you down or take your pride in your country from you though, in fact, what do they arseholes contribute to Scottish Pride? Nothing.
Scott