My dad was reading a local newspaper in Chinese and got stuck on this word – not because he couldn't read it, but couldn't understand its meaning in the context of the sentence. It turns out, it said, “Richmond Hill” – which is a city North of Toronto – but they had chosen to use Chinese characters to represent the city symbolically rather than phonetically. Likewise, ask a person in China if they know who George Bush is, and they wouldn't … they know Jiaoshi Bushe (I think that's how they know him as, Ben?) And China isn't the only place where these kinds of bastardizations of the English language are seen – moreover, it's an extensive exercise in international communications.

Really, it goes both ways. I think we as English native speakers get spoiled because we among over half of the world's population can be understood – that not enough credit is given when someone makes the effort in being understood. I get my Mandarin corrected all the time – and when someone apologizes for not being able to speak English well, I in turn say, “It's ok, I can't speak <insert language> either. Just try your best.” 90% of the time it's THEM that makes the effort to speak English and not the other way around.

“Fobs”, at least from where I'm from, doesn't hold a negative connotation. Although, I do know people who treat it the same way “gay” is treated; in that it could be offensive to 1st or 1.5 gen. immigrants… but they are a minority. Then again, my hometown is about 70% Asian and attracts many immigrants from Hong Kong and Taiwan sooo.. the usage could be skewed. Not that it's a proper defense of the usage of “Fob”, but I was/am technically a fob considering that I immigrated from Taiwan right before elementary school started.

“Ignorance” and “stupidity” (okay, stupidity may be pushing it) are, imo, justified because the improper use of the English language could be seen as “ignorant” to those who treat English as their native tongue. I'm sure if I butchered, (and lets be honest the spelling and grammatical errors in some of these signs butcher the English language) a foreign language, many people who speak that language would be offended.

I don't see how “proper usage of the English language” is offensive. In the context, it's simply a replacement for “grammatically correct”… at least that was the intention. Although in hindsight, “grammatically correct” may have been better.

Any English teacher throughout grade school would probably agree with me when I say that there are right ways and wrong ways to use the English language… and there are very little, if any gray areas in between. We were graded on this stuff, so I think the im/proper use of it is pretty important.

That being said, if I do offend anyone, sincerest apologies. I am accessible through Facebook or e-mail for discussion and am more than willing to talk about such issues/controversies.

(I know I'd look really silly if there are grammatical errors in the post or this comment, and I'm pretty sure there are a few. Just bear with me on that.)

- Kevin

damn. that is one insulting blog post. also, a good way to perpetuate stereotypes.