Dear Internet, there is something I've wanted to talk to you about for some time.
I don't know if you ever heard the term anglocentrism, you don't usually come across. At least, not the term. It is very easy. Anglocentrism is the idea that everyone who uses English on the Internet is a native English speaker. This despite the fact that a majority have another first language.
So what's the problem, you ask? Well dear Internet. There wouldn't be one if it wasn't because of your nature. Somehow you manage to drag out the worst in people. Within the idea of anglocentrism is the notion that the lack of skills in using English correspond with a lack of intelligence. This is mostly used in discussions and arguments. Lacking grammar or halting spelling could make people completely disregard an argument based on this very notion.
Dear Internet, I wish it was different and that people could realize that lack of language skills is not the same as lacking a good argument, nor intelligence. Why, I have myself gotten in to a situation were people focus more on my lack of my language skill than my argument. Not to mention questioning my intelligence. Oh, Internet. There are many who uses English online but speak another language in their everyday life.
My dear Internet, surely you realize why this is so. English is the language of the web. Almost all content created in social media and on bigger platforms is in English. If you desire to be in a conversation, there are not many choices. You could learn just how many languages are spoken in the world, right dear Internet. Without a doubt you could, if you knew, if you realized. So why don't you? Why, when there are so many different speech there are, do you insist on thinking English is the only one that exist?
I'm sorry dear Internet. I know this isn't your fault. Most of the time you are a wonderful thing, bringing people together. A bridge between humans. Yet, at your darkest times you create fractions. So please dear Internet, don't cause any more due to a simple misconception. Simply accept that language skills are not the same as intelligence.
- Me
