while(self++) { #76 } // Language Privilege
There’s a certain privilege in being able to speak multiple languages. Most obviously, you’re able to communicate with more people! You’re also able to express yourself more fully — one way in one language, another way in a different language, and again in the combination thereof (e.g., Russian, English, and Runglish). If you know more than two languages, then those combinations can be overwhelming.
However, language can also be used to secretly communicate with friends and family in public view of others. Of course, this can be used for personal safety. But some people take this ability as license to talk about others, not behind their backs, but in front of their faces, if in a way that the discussed party cannot understand. However, the assumption is that the person being discussed does not speak the language, a determination usually based on the way they look. When that assumption is false, however, it can lead to uncomfortable scenarios. For the affected party, definitely. But if a snarky comment seems necessary (in the “offending” language, for best effect), it hopefully embarrasses the interlocutors enough for them to think twice about doing the same thing next time.
