Mebel tells Alain that the misspelling of her name is a big deal to her, because it marks her out as a non-English speaker, and because she doesn’t speak English well people treat her as stupid and uneducated. (pp 153-154). What do you think of her perspective here? Do you feel she’s correct in her assessment about how the English-speaking world views those who don’t speak the language?
I agree with Mebel - I do think native English speakers often make inaccurate assumptions based on one’s ability to speak English and/or speak English with a heavy native accent. While the assumptions are not always negative (a French accent is “romantic,” a British accent is “smart”), I do think “stupid” or “slow” associations are common, albeit unfair, when people struggle to speak English.
As one who stumbles her way through a few foreign languages. I always try to show non-native English speakers the same courtesy they show me in their countries. I do think that many countries are less judgmental to non-native speakers than we are in the US.
I think the US in particular has no patience with non-English speakers. It is an unfortunate arrogant attitude. Don’t get me started with grammar either!!! In this time of texting and social media, it’s hard not to assess language skills as a reflection of the intelligence of the author. I can understand how Mebel would take this personally.
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I think all countries have those who are great with accepting others with accents and countries who have those who do not accept them. I don’t think you can label a country with a broad brush. In France I met so many who were kind about my use of their language and many who were not. I try to remember that feeling when I deal with others. I do feel that Mebel had a great sense of self and was able to overcome much in her life.
Mebel thinks about language, “Language is the gate to the world. It is a gate for your mind, and if that gate is broken, people think the mind is also not very bright. Is frustrating, because I know my mind has so many bright thoughts, I just don’t know how to say in English, so then I end up not saying much.” Alain says how sorry he is about this as he can tell that Mebel is intelligent. Mebel sums up what many who try to express themselves in another language feel. Embarrassment? A feeling of coming off as unintelligent? This is a difficult situation.
I am married to a Korean man, and he has mentioned how he should have changed his ethnic name when he became a US citizen 10 years ago. You get the option when you apply to US citizenship. He thinks getting a job may be easier with a “less ethnic” name. I stand by his original decision to not change it, because his name is part of who he is.
I agree with what Mebel is saying. Having a name that is not spelled like the majority thinks it should be spelled can get kind of tiring. I named my daughter.using a common name but different spelling. She would get upset when her name was missplelled. My daughter does not have “rusty English” so I see why Mebel would feel less than.
Just a side not,my self-correct keeps spelling her name MABEL!!
I think she is absolutely correct in her assumptions about how some people might treat individuals who don’t speak the native language. As a first generation American, I witnessed this treatment of my parents and family for years, and I continue to see that behavior with individuals whose primary language is not English. People often simply do not take the time to listen patiently and try to understand. And although I am American by birth, I have a “foreign” name that is for some reason difficult to pronounce and spell, and people refusing to try has been a pet peeve since I was young.
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I think that we (I’m in the US) tend to look down on those that are not native English speakers. I hear this a lot. I also think that this may be changing. It feels like my son’s generation is more empathetic to others and there situations, in general. However, I don’t think the spelling of her name automatically made her appear to be non-English speaking, as I have seen many, many names spelled many, maybe ways.
Perhaps in the past misspelling one’s name would be indicative of identifying one as a non-native speaker. However, my name ( Vivian) has been misspelled, misheard, and mispronounced from childhood.
And in today’s world, parents intentionally give their children’s’ names with creative spellings.
Example: Antoine, Antwan, Ahntuan, Anntwhn, Antwaan, Aunthuahn, Ant-2-One, Antone,