Speaking Austrian
Everybody seems to be having fun with the fact that Obama last week remarked in passing in a European Press Conference that he was not sure how to say something "in Austrian", finding this hilarious because Austrians speak German, in general. Well, yes and no.I don't think it would be ludicrous for someone to say "in American", given the fact that there is at least one dialect that somewhat differs from the Queen's English in the US (and maybe more, just as in Canada).
Certainly many vocabulary choices in Austria would differ from those in parts of Germany (of course they also differ in regions within both Austria and Germany).
So in this case, I don't think this can be charged against him at all. Who knows, some Austrians might even have felt a bit inflated by this recognition of their uniqueness.
posted by Alan Adamson @ 2:52 PM
3 Comments:
I think you're stretching it a bit, trying to force your desire into being.
He made the comment out of ignorance, pure and simple. Let's be honest, you don't have people asking other people if they speak American, and I think there are very few people that would feel a sense of pride by being "recognized" this way.
Complete and total ridiculousness.
Nobody reading this blog could be so deluded to think I want to make Obama look smart. So your imputation of motive is silly.
You are certainly free to disagree with me on facts. And evidently do.
Didn't mean to imply you want to make Obama look good, I just think you are giving him the benefit of the doubt, where such benefit isn't due.
Disagreement is healthy, especially when we keep it civil ;)
Post a Comment
<< Home