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Just reading some of the delightful limericks on that thread
here in AWAD one can see that the language can flow beautifully
and roll off the tongue wonderfully.


----please, draw me a sheep----
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Likes and dislikes of languages are dreadfully subjective things. Many don't like German because it's so guttural. For me that's one of the beauties of the language. Some like French; why I'm not sure. I find it very irritating with its nasality. Purely personal prejudice. I don't say that people who like the sound of French are wrong and I would expect they not say that I am wrong for liking German.

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I'm fascinated by people who come to dislike their native language. No child dislikes his own language, so any eventual dislike must be something to which one allows oneself to become acculturated. I wonder if it's part of a more general syndrome of self-loathing that susceptible individuals acquire through exposure to persistent criticism of their native culture.


"I don't know which is worse: ignorance or apathy. And, frankly, I don't care." - Anonymous
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Likes and dislikes of languages are dreadfully subjective things.

Mostly the criteria people use seems to be phonological (phonaesthetics) or semantic. Grant Barrett ran down the intricacies of the supposed beauty of cellar door in a recent New York Times Magazine Language column (link). For the other, see the various least favorite words discussions (on say Language Log) which include blog, moist, panties, et al.

[Addendum: Geoff Nunberg noodles on Barrett's Selladoa.]



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Originally Posted By: beck123
I'm fascinated by people who come to dislike their native language. No child dislikes his own language, so any eventual dislike must be something to which one allows oneself to become acculturated. I wonder if it's part of a more general syndrome of self-loathing that susceptible individuals acquire through exposure to persistent criticism of their native culture.



Perhaps a dislike for political correctness and the language
that goes with it, would fit into this thought????
Just curious.


----please, draw me a sheep----
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