I don’t know how many times I have heard Will Smith speak Spanish on his visits to the anthillor all the times I’ve seen the video of Van Gaal who became a walking meme with his “always negative, never positive”. That’s not to mention the accent Gwyneth Paltrow Or Ben Affleck.
I am telling you all this so that together, we can reflect on all the hate you are receiving. Georgina Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo’s partner, for speaking in English. During a gala in Riyadh, the Joy Awards, Georgina gave an interview and her way of speaking in English was, of course, criticized.
Georgina couple of legend #CR7𓃵بث surprised and gave an interview in English in the #JoyAwards2023. That she and her family were very happy to be there. Above hers was the creation of designer Alika Roui who lives in Dubai. She created it for her in 24 hours!#georginarodriguez 💛 pic.twitter.com/rwuSA4hJsi
— ©𝑫𝑪𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒐𓃵🇩🇴 (@DCuesto) January 26, 2023
Let’s start from the assumption that social networks like Twitter are the lapidary showcase for anyone who doesn’t fit what the majority thinks. it happened to Selena Gomez after the Golden Globes Awards Y It keeps happening to Shakira, weeks after taking his session with Bizarrap. It seems the place chosen for sow hatred and judge each step of anyone simply because the object to be judged is famous (although the truth is that Twitter hate does not understand race, sex, or anything).
Georgina’s level of English, to test
It is time to be honest: how many of those present here have written on their Curriculum vitae “Medium level of spoken and written English”? And of all those who have obviously raised their hands (because that little lie or half-truth is possibly the most repeated by the Spanish in the CV…), how many could watch a film on VO learning everything? Be careful, without subtitles in Spanish or English. Or have a coherent conversation in English without any kind of accent with a waiter in a Brooklyn restaurant?
Georgina has started talking to her interviewer, in a language that is not hers and knowing that she will be judged by the whole world. She knowing that as soon as she opens her mouth, despite making herself understood and understanding what they were saying, she will be criticized. And yet and with a smile, she has given the interview in an environment in which she clearly did not feel comfortable.
English teachers have applauded the effort and opinions such as “I am an English teacher, and I love that people dare to speak this language, the grammar and pronunciation don’t matter”. Despite so much criticism, the most natural thing when we speak a language other than our native one is to have an accent, make mistakes and not do it perfectly because learning a language is extremely complicated. And I’m not saying it, the experts are saying it:
In his Netflix documentary Gio defined himself as a “very normal person”and this scene is just the most normal thing when we speak another language, especially during the first few times we do it in an environment outside of English classes. Georgina and her courage are that push that people who are embarrassed to speak another language needbecause daring to speak English is the best way to learn.
For our part, the reflection is more than clear: less criticizing and more looking at ourselves in the mirror, which is certain that with that average level that we boast of in our CV, we would not be half as calm as Gio.
Photos | GTree Shutterstock (Author: PowerSport Images/Shutterstock)
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