undefined | Better HN

0 pointsben_w1y ago0 comments

People are generally given a free pass to criticise their own in-group.

There's a famous Chinese poem demonstrating an issue in the Chinese language, IIRC spelling reform; but were I to speak it (I can't*) I suspect anyone who couldn't speak Chinese would think I was mocking the language despite the original being from a native speaker:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion-Eating_Poet_in_the_Stone_...

* I lack the skill to tell if this is correct pronunciation: https://youtu.be/vExjnn_3ep4?si=hbg3b3niapF6X4TH

0 comments

dinkumthinkum1y ago

Well, my point is more that you can specifically criticize Western culture even in degrading terms from any group, and it is fine.

ben_wOP1y ago

Who, of those here critiquing the English language, isn't part of Western culture? Or of the other possible category of "anglosphere"?

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse