A thought-provoking story from Thailand has me reflecting on how we perceive linguistic authenticity. In the field of interpretation and translation, authenticity in language use is paramount. Adam Bradshaw, an American educator fluent in Thai, recently highlighted the trend of adopting foreign accents to appear sophisticated. He publicly criticized Thai people who speak Thai with a Western accent after living abroad briefly, calling it pretentious and an attempt to appear “hi-so” (high society).
Bradshaw argues that many Thais who’ve lived abroad for decades still speak Thai clearly while maintaining fluent English. His Facebook post on this topic went viral, receiving nearly 30,000 likes and widespread agreement from his audience. He emphasizes the value of maintaining clarity in one’s native language and approaching second languages with sincerity. This perspective encourages us, as linguists and interpreters, to foster genuine communication and cultural pride in our work.
More in the next blog about my personal experiences and perspectives on this reflection!
How about you?
Have you encountered similar trends in language adaptation?
How do you promote authenticity in your linguistic endeavors?
