tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post4327677242170662081..comments2024-03-28T16:45:51.051+00:00Comments on The IPKat: A non-English native speaker's perspective on puns (and copyright)Verónica RodrÃguez Arguijohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05763207846940036921noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-66160502722318321012013-01-20T12:44:16.897+00:002013-01-20T12:44:16.897+00:00In response to Eleonora's comment, from Anonym...In response to Eleonora's comment, from Anonymous of 18 Jan: British humour can be grasped and practised to very sophisticated levels by non-Brits, so in that sense there's plenty of hope! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-68085793594090884662013-01-20T11:44:27.995+00:002013-01-20T11:44:27.995+00:00@ Anonymous @7:16
I'm not sure quite what poi...@ Anonymous @7:16<br /><br />I'm not sure quite what point you are trying to make.<br /><br />This weblog has never sought to suggest that the English language is the exclusive preserve of any race (not that 'English' is a race -- since it manifestly isn't). This weblog has had non-native English speakers among its contributors continuously for the past four years (six years if you include Australians!) and very much welcomes their contributions. Jeremyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01123244020588707776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-22484894107372272422013-01-20T07:16:13.426+00:002013-01-20T07:16:13.426+00:00"Non-English" native speaker is an inter..."Non-English" native speaker is an interesting term. I find the term "native speaker" --- a box that I am not allowed to tick --- patronising, increasingly outdated, and a convenient racist camouflage to prefer certain ethnicities for jobs. Today, Britain is filled with people who speak with unpleasant Vicky Pollard accents and have a poor vocabulary (this guy is an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjuNuqIev8M)<br /><br />On the other hand, there are several "non-native" speakers in Commonwealth countries whose command of spoken and written English is excellent, and who've read more works on English literature than most "native" speakers. The English language is no longer the exclusive preserve of a certain race. Just look at the Booker Prize shortlists in recent years. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-79450539453538375892013-01-18T11:21:28.585+00:002013-01-18T11:21:28.585+00:00I guess you are right Anonymous. Alas, does this m...I guess you are right Anonymous. Alas, does this mean that there is no hope for non-English native speakers in the UK? :-)Eleonora Rosatihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05629420303968805446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-4725672163242752512013-01-18T09:55:23.582+00:002013-01-18T09:55:23.582+00:00I don't want to detract from the main topic, b...I don't want to detract from the main topic, but you have only one type of comment box, and not a separate one for tangential issues. I don't think understanding puns is the same as knowing the essence of British humour. It also includes irony, satire, zaniness, dryness and the surreal. The best British humour is subtle and perhaps ambiguous. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com