Yeah, but that's my point. The author clearly isn't thinking about the hundreds of millions of native French speakers around the world, they're an American thinking the word "mutton" sounds fancier than "sheep"... in English.

Which yeah, okay, that's their cultural upbringing causing that, but then maybe don't make a joke entirely predicated on making sharp observations about how languages work and aimed specifically at nerds. I can only ever go "it's funny because it's true" or be extremely judgmental of your incorrect assumptions about how languages work here.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

your incorrect assumptions

Why make it about me? I was more or less playing devil's advocate, saying if not taken seriously it's funny.

I would be more likely to agree with you if you put "OP's assumption". Your phrasing makes me want to double down on my original position.

That's just a general recommendation for discussions in general, online and offline. I learned a thing or two about my biases and perspectives here. Btw I'm German and that part resonated with me from my little experience with JAVA and my experience in learning about my native language and teaching it to others.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

Oh, sorry, you misunderstood, I didn't mean you specifically, I mean you as in "why would you ever do this", as in "why would anybody ever do this".

Languages, as we've established, are complicated.