Current Events > I find it cringe when Youtubers "shock" people when being bilingual

(+) Yeah! (+)

Aside from a few Youtubers I've seen, it kind of annoys me.

Most of them are usually white Youtubers who "shock" East Asians or other races with their skills in the language. But when you think about it, all of the other races can speak English, their own language and sometimes even one or two more.

I'm more impressed by a lot of people I've met who aren't white that end up speaking multiple languages flawlessly. I know a Taiwanese girl who was qualified in four different countries as a solicitor, and knew 8 languages, pretty insane.

Edit: Don't get me wrong, being proud of learning another language isn't what I find weird. Its the fact that they film reactions and post it, that's kind of weird to me.

Yep, annoys me for the same reason. My wife is Chinese and taught herself English and Japanese. Would a video of her speaking fluently at a restaurant in Japan or America get millions of views? Probably not.

I should post a video of me answering e-mails at work. "Foreigner writes fluent Japanese work e-mails!"

I find it more shocking that a white dude can speak some random asian or African language than a person of color that can do it.

ssjevot posted...

Yep, annoys me for the same reason. My wife is Chinese and taught herself English and Japanese. Would a video of her speaking fluently at a restaurant in Japan or America get millions of views? Probably not.

I should post a video of me answering e-mails at work. "Foreigner writes fluent Japanese work e-mails!"

Whenever I speak Japanese to a Japanese person, I can see the surprise in their faces, but it lasts a few seconds and I don't let it linger. Instead I'd like to practice my Japanese more and get to know the person, not revel in the fact that I surprised someone by learning their language.

Junthor posted...

I find it more shocking that a white dude can speak some random asian or African language than a person of color that can do it.

And because of this reason you have quite a few people who use that fact to exploit "Reactions" of people who can probably speak English and two other languages lol

You should make a video where you throw some shade and clap back at all the cringe.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


Yeah there's definitely that reaction from some. I remember hearing that if a Japanese person says your Japanese is good, then it's not good lol. But if they ask something along the lines of "How long have you been speaking Japanese" or "How long have you been living in Japan?" that might mean that they recognize that your speaking ability is very advanced and on their level.

At first, I enjoyed the videos, because they were fun. But then, they became formulaic and cringey. It's like, "Ok. We get it. ZOMG WHITE MAN speaks language."

ablegator posted...

You should make a video where you throw some shade and clap back at all the cringe.

Only if CE backs me >_>

Donomark posted...

At first, I enjoyed the videos, because they were fun. But then, they became formulaic and cringey. It's like, "Ok. We get it. ZOMG WHITE MAN speaks language."

Just like a lot of things on Youtube unfortunately.

Donomark posted...

At first, I enjoyed the videos, because they were fun. But then, they became formulaic and cringey. It's like, "Ok. We get it. ZOMG WHITE MAN speaks language."

I think the ones where the guy on the street will give a prize if he can't speak your language are okay. Feels less... predatory.

you could always just not watch those things and instead spend your time doing something better

If we're talking about Xiaoma, I don't mind. It's such an uncommon dialect for a white dude to be speaking.

I know a Chinese guy that was raised in DR, lives NY and also speaks French and it shocks me every time