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Italian government seeks to penalize the use of English words

cnn.com

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Re: Italian government seeks to penalize the use of English words

#13

Post by borroka »

alex_suzuki wrote: post #2

Italy really knows how to focus on what’s really important to address challenges like high unemployment and weak economy.

It is a very poor argument and ignores the fact that the lives of people, institutions and countries are not just about (the very important) jobs and economics.

I, who have lived in the United States for decades, cringe when English words are used instead of those of my native language to give a sense of respectability to those words.

A global culture and a world homogenized in ways of living is a much less interesting world.

Re: Italian government seeks to penalize the use of English words

#14

Post by hunglee2 »

I think we (Americans and Europeans alike) wholly underestimate how Americanised European culture is becoming.

This is an observation rather than a criticism as I don't know whether this is 'good' or 'bad' but it is noticeable phenomena manifest through language, and probably an unintended consequence of the dependency of Europe on US communication technology, leading to the import of US communication styles, political priorities and cultural values.

France have always been conscious of this, no doubt as a result of their centuries old conflict with England, but it is interesting now to see Italian nationalists responding similarly. It's futile of course, as neither Italians, French nor any combination of European countries can or will make an internet independent of the US

Re: Italian government seeks to penalize the use of English words

#15

Post by gordian-mind »

alex_suzuki wrote: post #2

Italy really knows how to focus on what’s really important to address challenges like high unemployment and weak economy.

Just because there are other problems that are more pressing or severe doesn't mean that the proposed solution to a particular problem is not worth pursuing.

Re: Italian government seeks to penalize the use of English words

#18

Post by unpopularopp »

Good. Americans are usually not aware of the extent of american cultural imperialism which is basically everywhere, not just in Europe but you can see it very strong here

I'm not saying it's bad or good. But I wish we have less Hollywood, less Netflix, less american music, less american videogames, less imported american culture topics etc when actual local music, movies, books, games exist.

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