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submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by ccunning@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

The best examples that come to mind are when ordering food. As examples:

• You speak English and Spanish and are ordering a burrito
• You speak Thai and English and are ordering Tom Yum

I imagine it could depend on numerous things:
• You primary language or ethnicity
• What sort of restaurant
• Who you’re dining with
• Who you’re ordering from
• and probably a lot more…

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[-] cdzero@lemmy.ml 46 points 1 week ago

Cater to the audience. Being understood is more useful than being right.

[-] ccunning@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

That’s a great way to put it, though sometimes I run into situations where I know some of my audience will understand language A and not B and some will understand B but not A.

I always end up just freezing; it’s like my brain is rebooting or something.

[-] marron12@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

There's pretty much always time to explain yourself if someone doesn't understand. You could say it the first way that comes to mind, then pause and say it the second way. It doesn't have to be perfect, you just have to communicate. Sometimes you have to use your hands and feet, and that's OK too.

[-] ccunning@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

I feel like I owe you money for this kinda therapy…

[-] starlinguk@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Pronounce it properly then give the equivalent in whatever language you're talking in. That's what I do.

this post was submitted on 01 Oct 2025
79 points (100.0% liked)

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