Language discussion and MMA (moved posts from UFC trying to sign Lindland thread)

[subgenius]

I just do not see the relevence of speaking English with relation to MMA fighting. I would not learn Japanese, if I were fighting in PRIDE FC in Japan. Why would I? It is not like I am moving to Japan to live there. I would only be spending a few days or maybe a week there per fight. It is really weird to think that Anderson Silva is going to sell his house in Brasil and move to the USA simply because he won a few fights in the UFC. The guy fought five times in Japan, and he did not learn Japanese. I just do not care whether or not the guy can speak any language except the language of MMA in the ring or octagon.

[angryjonny]

Whatta ya know, sub? You and I agree on something. Good post. I wouldn't care if the fighters never learned the language. I don't watch MMA to hear them talk. If he was coming over to get a job and need to communicate effictively with americans then yes he would need to learn english. The only people he needs to speak to are his cornermen.

[duke09]

Originally Posted by angryjonny

Whatta ya know, sub? You and I agree on something. Good post. I wouldn't care if the fighters never learned the language. I don't watch MMA to hear them talk. If he was coming over to get a job and need to communicate effictively with americans then yes he would need to learn english. The only people he needs to speak to are his cornermen.

yopu suggesting that americans communicate effectively lol.
just teasing.
i agree full heartedly. i dont watch ufc for english tips or a grammer lesson. i watch to see the action and the competition.

anyone else find it strange that everyone wants lindland, who is similar to silva in that he isnt from ufc, to come in and breathe life into the MW division.

it seems that some on here would rather have a boring, english speaking MW divison than one worth watching, yet they still themselves fans of the sport. okay...

the fact that dana has to import talent is indicative of the present standing of the ufc. i am happy he is doig it, but it doesnt say a lot for the ufc's talent pool. tuffer's arent helping it seems (imagine that?)

[Pitbull]

Originally Posted by FatCatMC

This seems to be a dangerous road the UFC is taking here. Is this really the message they want to send out? That they will do almost anything to dethrone a non-english speaking champ?

I think it may send out a different message that the UFC doesn't have enough stiff competition for Silva.

[Curly]

Originally Posted by Thrash13

This is America, and the main language is English correct?... If Silva or anyone else is going to fight here, they need to learn the language. That's how I feel about it, whether that's a ruthless approach or not.

I agree.

[Curly]

Originally Posted by subgenius

I just do not see the relevence of speaking English with relation to MMA fighting.... I just do not care whether or not the guy can speak any language except the language of MMA in the ring or octagon.

I agree again. I'm so confused.

[MTKrav911]

Originally Posted by Curly

I agree again. I'm so confused.

I totally agree as also I don't see the relevance to fighting that these fighters have college degrees.

Goldy went overboard this last UFC about giving every fighter's educational resume. I dont give a flip who's educated or not. I just want to see a great fight.

Whether they have a doctoral degree or not.

For MMA magazines and interviews and all access shows, that's fine to talk about their education. But before a fight in a cage entrance. I don't wanna hear that crap about what they have a degree in.

[w0264007]

Originally Posted by subgenius

I just do not see the relevence of speaking English with relation to MMA fighting. I would not learn Japanese, if I were fighting in PRIDE FC in Japan. Why would I? It is not like I am moving to Japan to live there. I would only be spending a few days or maybe a week there per fight. It is really weird to think that Anderson Silva is going to sell his house in Brasil and move to the USA simply because he won a few fights in the UFC. The guy fought five times in Japan, and he did not learn Japanese. I just do not care whether or not the guy can speak any language except the language of MMA in the ring or octagon.

Tru dat.

[Jras0001]

There is no reason for anyone to learn English unless they are plannin moving into the country, getting a permanent residence, getting a permanent job, and staying here and becoming a citizen. Then it would be appropriate for that person or persons to learn Egnlish. Otherwise, in cases such as Silva's or Babalu's, where they just travel here to fight and go home, there is no reason whatsoever for them to learn English as long as they have a translator and can communicate effectively.

Saying that these fighters should have to learn English to fight here is rediculous. Its the same as saying U.S. businessmen have to learn Japanese before they can go there to have a two day business meeting. There just isnt any rational thought behind that whatsoever.

[Thrash13]

Originally Posted by subgenius

I just do not see the relevence of speaking English with relation to MMA fighting. I would not learn Japanese, if I were fighting in PRIDE FC in Japan. Why would I? It is not like I am moving to Japan to live there. I would only be spending a few days or maybe a week there per fight. It is really weird to think that Anderson Silva is going to sell his house in Brasil and move to the USA simply because he won a few fights in the UFC. The guy fought five times in Japan, and he did not learn Japanese. I just do not care whether or not the guy can speak any language except the language of MMA in the ring or octagon.

That's fine if you think that way, but I don't. I think learning the language is the respectful thing to do. It won't make any difference to me because I enjoy watching the fights regardless, but that doesn't mean I can't have an opinion on the matter.

One of my favorites, Ricardo Arona, doesn't speak English. Then again, he doesn't have a lot of fights (if any) in the United States.

You honestly can't tell me a fighter that doesn't speak English is as marketable as a fighter that does speak English can you? Not in America anyway. And the money is what it all comes down to doesn't it?

[subgenius]

Originally Posted by Thrash13

That's fine if you think that way, but I don't. I think learning the language is the respectful thing to do. It won't make any difference to me because I enjoy watching the fights regardless, but that doesn't mean I can't have an opinion on the matter.

One of my favorites, Ricardo Arona, doesn't speak English. Then again, he doesn't have a lot of fights (if any) in the United States.

You honestly can't tell me a fighter that doesn't speak English is as marketable as a fighter that does speak English can you? Not in America anyway. And the money is what it all comes down to doesn't it?

I realize we are off-topic, so I will keep this short (as short as possible, lol).

I would be very flattered that any non-American, non-English speaking fighter made an attempt to speak to me in my own language.

It made me happy when Babalu said, "That is good jui-jitsu." I had it in my signature for a while some time back. Babalu has learned A LOT of English. It was cool that Wanderlei came out during that moment when Dana White was trying to set up the Wandy-Liddell fight, and Wanderlei spoke his broken English. I am always happy when Andrei Arlovski speaks with his heavy Russian (Belorussian) accent.

It shows that they appreciate ME -- THE FAN.

But, as my own demonstration of my own appreciation of MMA fighters, I would rather hear them speak in their own languages more often than they might phonetically learn a few phrases to say after a fight. I would rather Anderson Silva speak his own beautiful language (Portuguese) in his interviews because I love language. And, he sounds good speaking in his native language. I would rather they use subtitles than have a spoken voiced interpreter talking over Silva.

Your point about marketing is a very good point. But, I am of the opinion that I hope that the UFC does not refuse to sign a fighter that cannot speak English. I would hate that.

[Thrash13]

I agree with a lot of that Sub, and I guess I should have made things more clear. I could care less if the fighters spoke 100% English. I just think they should learn enough to carry on a small conversation after the fights and stuff. That's why I also respect guys like Andre Arlovski, although he does stay in the U.S. quite a bit of the year.

I also didn't know Anderson Silva lived outside the United States except when he fights. I thought a lot of these guys lived in the U.S. throughout the year as well.

Edit: Oh yeah, sorry Matt Lindland. I still want the UFC to sign you.

[GeorgeXVX]

Originally Posted by subgenius

I realize we are off-topic, so I will keep this short (as short as possible, lol).

I would be very flattered that any non-American, non-English speaking fighter made an attempt to speak to me in my own language.

It made me happy when Babalu said, "That is good jui-jitsu." I had it in my signature for a while some time back. Babalu has learned A LOT of English. It was cool that Wanderlei came out during that moment when Dana White was trying to set up the Wandy-Liddell fight, and Wanderlei spoke his broken English. I am always happy when Andrei Arlovski speaks with his heavy Russian (Belorussian) accent.

It shows that they appreciate ME -- THE FAN.

But, as my own demonstration of my own appreciation of MMA fighters, I would rather hear them speak in their own languages more often than they might phonetically learn a few phrases to say after a fight. I would rather Anderson Silva speak his own beautiful language (Portuguese) in his interviews because I love language. And, he sounds good speaking in his native language. I would rather they use subtitles than have a spoken voiced interpreter talking over Silva.

Your point about marketing is a very good point. But, I am of the opinion that I hope that the UFC does not refuse to sign a fighter that cannot speak English. I would hate that.

i agree with almost everything you said... speaking english is not needed in anyway... i acually think being creative you can market a fighter better as not being an american and not speaking the language... i would rather see such a mix of people speaking all different languages in the ufc then english... it pisses me off to no end that ufc is almost all american fighters... how can you say you are the best in the world if you dont represent the world? i would love subtitles and translators at the events. everyone knew what silva was thinkning after he won that fight and started crying... everyone knows what was going through his head... the fact is we all come to watch MMA and his ufc fights he has slayed. that should be the only fact that matters... if the ufc was smart they would triple the number of non american fighters and they do a huge marketing push featureing everyone in the ufc on how the ufc is the best world wide.

[GSPALLTHEWAY]

this might not politically correct, but i dont really care here... the UFC does not want anderson silva to be the champ... i think hes great and i love watching him fight... however with the UFC going mainstream in the US, they need guys like hughes, franklin or chuck ect... guys that the fans can get behind and route for... on a board like this and my own opinion that its fine that silva cant speak english, however overall it is a serious marketing issue for the UFC... and this is EXACTLY why pride isnt popular in the US.... and imsure the UFC knows that.... i believe they will throw everything at silva such as signing a lindland ect to get him out.... i dont agree, but i think thats an obvious fact... arlovski is not the same, because he could at least conduct his interviews in english, along with his talks on his insider UFC all accesses.
either way you look at it the UFC will try to get silva out of there as quick as possible (assuming he doesnt somehow learn english fast) whether or not he will comply instead of crushing more opponents is a different story..

[Bomber]

Originally Posted by Thrash13

This is America, and the main language is English correct? If I moved to Japan, I'd learn Japanese.

Yeah, SURE you would. I can tell by what you just said that you don't speak two languages. If you did, you'd know that it's very, very hard to learn a second language as an adult, and even harder to get to a level where you can sound half intelligent. Then stupid people ridicule your speech and accent when you try.

[Pitbull]

Originally Posted by BJPENNalltheway

this might not politically correct, but i dont really care here... the UFC does not want anderson silva to be the champ... i think hes great and i love watching him fight... however with the UFC going mainstream in the US, they need guys like hughes, franklin or chuck ect... guys that the fans can get behind and route for... on a board like this and my own opinion that its fine that silva cant speak english, however overall it is a serious marketing issue for the UFC... and this is EXACTLY why pride isnt popular in the US.... and imsure the UFC knows that.... i believe they will throw everything at silva such as signing a lindland ect to get him out.... i dont agree, but i think thats an obvious fact... arlovski is not the same, because he could at least conduct his interviews in english, along with his talks on his insider UFC all accesses.
either way you look at it the UFC will try to get silva out of there as quick as possible (assuming he doesnt somehow learn english fast) whether or not he will comply instead of crushing more opponents is a different story..

I apologize for this being off-topic, but you make some interesting points here.

Am I completely oblivious to what's going on with the UFC? Do they really not want Anderson Silva to be the champ? I like to think that I'm pretty keen on the UFC's marketing strategies, but it never crossed my mind that they didn't want a non-english speaker to be the champ.

Seeing how MMA stands for mixed martial arts, the blending of different fighting techniques, techniques origintating from different countries around the world, I would think that the majority of MMA fans could care less if a fighter spoke english or not so long as they delivered a great performance.

Am I in the minority here?

[GeorgeXVX]

Originally Posted by Pitbull

I apologize for this being off-topic, but you make some interesting points here.

Am I completely oblivious to what's going on with the UFC? Do they really not want Anderson Silva to be the champ? I like to think that I'm pretty keen on the UFC's marketing strategies, but it never crossed my mind that they didn't want a non-english speaker to be the champ.

Seeing how MMA stands for mixed martial arts, the blending of different fighting techniques, techniques origintating from different countries around the world, I would think that the majority of MMA fans could care less if a fighter spoke english or not so long as they delivered a great performance.

Am I in the minority here?

\


i agree

[Mulla]

Originally Posted by Thrash13

That's fine if you think that way, but I don't. I think learning the language is the respectful thing to do. It won't make any difference to me because I enjoy watching the fights regardless, but that doesn't mean I can't have an opinion on the matter.

One of my favorites, Ricardo Arona, doesn't speak English. Then again, he doesn't have a lot of fights (if any) in the United States.

You honestly can't tell me a fighter that doesn't speak English is as marketable as a fighter that does speak English can you? Not in America anyway. And the money is what it all comes down to doesn't it?

So by your logic, anyone who fights in Pride should learn Japanese? Do you realise how hard Japanese is to learn? Top fighters spend all their time training to be the best, and they're not gonna be the best if they stop training to learn a foreign language lol.

[Thrash13]

Originally Posted by Bomber

Yeah, SURE you would. I can tell by what you just said that you don't speak two languages. If you did, you'd know that it's very, very hard to learn a second language as an adult, and even harder to get to a level where you can sound half intelligent. Then stupid people ridicule your speech and accent when you try.

If I moved to Japan, I would definitely learn the language. I may not speak it very well, but I would try to learn at the very least. That's my point here. Don't tell me what I would and wouldn't do if I were put in a situation. I don't appreciate people putting words into my mouth.

And Mulla, it's funny just how many Pride guys do speak Japanese. They respect the culter in Japan, and in return, they learn the language. Any fighter who gives a crap about the fans will learn the language where they fight. A lot of Pride's best non-Japanese fighters speak the language at least in some form or fashion. That's commendable. And honestly, would it be that hard to try to learn the language an hour a day or so? Give me a break.

[Bomber]

Originally Posted by Thrash13

If I moved to Japan, I would definitely learn the language. I may not speak it very well, but I would try to learn at the very least. That's my point here. Don't tell me what I would and wouldn't do if I were put in a situation. I don't appreciate people putting words into my mouth.

I didn't put words in your mouth. I don't believe you would learn Japanese. You might want to, you might even try to. I just don't think you appreciate the difficulty. How many languages do you speak?