[Taxacom] Asterales

[Dick Jensen]

This is an interesting thread in a variety of contexts.  One thing that I often find difficult to follow occurs when someone is speaking one language, then uses what is perceived to be an appropriately accented pronounciation of a word or phrase from another language, followed by a continuation in the initial language.  The example that bothers me most is a DJ on a local classical music station.  English is the broadcast language, but every name of composer, artist and composition is pronounced in an attempt to reflect the language of origin of the composer, artist or work.  The pronounciations are aften so thickly accented that I have no idea what was said.  I have contacted the station with no luck. 



Interestingly, this DJ rarely employs a British accent when the artists and/or composers are British and never uses a Brooklyn or southern accent to pronounce the names of  American composers/artists. It seems to me that, when communicating in a particular language, everything one says should be presented in that language, to the best of one's ability.  When speaking to my classes, should I pronounce Albert Einstein with a pronounced German accent, Armen Takhtajan in my best attempt at Russian, Los Angeles in a pseudo-Spansih accent?  What's the point?  It can interfere with communication and befuddle the listener who doesn't have such a good ear for other languages. 



Dick J