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21 de Febrero, 2008
Microsoft, the Anti-Hispanic (Mexican) Company!
Categorized under Cultura , El Malestar Pálido , Medios | Tags: Language, Microsoft, putos, QuieroLatino
THIS LINK was sent to me by the people at quierolatino.com. Can't say I was surprised. But I was annoyed.
When we started developing QuieroLatino.com as the exclusive online dating site for Latinos in the US, we created a website primarily in English but with Spanish terms and phrases incorporate throughout.When it came time to advertise online, we approached the main players in the field: Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft.
Although Google made it easy for us to set up advertising campaigns, Microsoft apparently does not want business from Latinos in the US. They rejected all of QuieroLatino’s ads and sent us a shocking explanation:
The reason for the disapproval is because of the use of a foreign language on the landing page. You are using the English US distribution channel and targeting the US and so you must use only the English language on the landing page.Here’s the kicker:
Also, note that the words tu media naranja* in the ad will need to be changed to English.In summary, Microsoft’s adCenter allows its advertisements to only be in either English or French. So if you’re advertising in the US, you can’t target Latinos or any one who speaks a foreign language, including Mandarin, German, Italian or Korean.
Whether it's a whisper from the gov.ed's FAFSA application or a command from Microsoft ad service or jeers from the schoolyard, or sneaky lines in the latest childrens' movie, it ends up the same refrain too often here in the USA: Your people or your name and hey, your self, just say they/it/you/the essence from which you came?
INVALID
ILLEGAL
INVADER
INFERIOR.
What you will find me doing is pronouncing my name as it should be said. I am very proud of my name. And the lands from which it came.
Now, if the people insisting on my disclosing and recording my personal information stumble over mi nombre, I'm not the one who feels stupid, like once upon a time. Nor "should" nor will I. Nah. I wait for them to either get it (and believe it or not, a lot more people do these days) or ask me "how do you spell that?" Then I will tell them. We're good. But I'm not going anywhere. And I ain't duckin'.
"A foreign language"???
The Spanish language was brought to this continent a good two hundred years before English was! English is the foreign language, just as much as Spanish, if not a tiny bit more. And French is just as foreign as Spanish.
So what are you saying, Microsoft?
Anyway, let's get to the present day. Regardless of what has been here longer, muchos rios y montañas y ciudades del EEUU; many states, towns, buildings, products, and (most importantly), humans have been named using that language. I am one. As was my father. As was his.
La lengua is not going anywhere. More to the point, neither is la raza.
Embrace the future, Bill G. Don't fear.
___________________________
*"Tu media Naranja" means "your soulmate." Though literally, "your half orange."
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Comentarios (18)
Carmen D. dijo:
I love this.
Palabras por Carmen D. spat forth on el 21 de Febrero, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Jak dijo:
Don't be absurd. Microsoft is targeting the two OFFICIAL languages of North America. English, and French.
Makes me want to go out and upgrade my Micosoft programs.
Good American company making sense - OH NO
Palabras por Jak spat forth on el 21 de Febrero, 2008 at 08:11 PM
nezua
dijo:
good puppet! gooood!
Palabras por nezua
spat forth on el 21 de Febrero, 2008 at 08:13 PM
nezua
dijo:
gracias, carmz.
Palabras por nezua
spat forth on el 21 de Febrero, 2008 at 08:15 PM
turtlebella dijo:
French?! French?! Do they mean actual French? Or are they just saying you can curse? Well, FUCK that. Pinche Microsoft (which as far as I am concerned just describes their penises).
Okay, so perhaps I am more annoyed than this calls for. But it's early in the morning. (well, it's early for me)
Palabras por turtlebella spat forth on el 22 de Febrero, 2008 at 07:50 AM
Pete Shot the Deputy dijo:
What does pinche mean? My mom says that a lot, but never told me what it means.
Palabras por Pete Shot the Deputy spat forth on el 22 de Febrero, 2008 at 08:58 AM
nezua
dijo:
pete, it's a modifier that turns a noun or adjective or person(s) into something negative. think "damn" or "f---ing."
pinche definitions...
Palabras por nezua
spat forth on el 22 de Febrero, 2008 at 09:20 AM
jose dijo:
Bill Gates, you got some 'splaining to doooo ...
Palabras por jose spat forth on el 22 de Febrero, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Rafael dijo:
Nice one jose!
Palabras por Rafael spat forth on el 22 de Febrero, 2008 at 11:20 AM
mhg dijo:
YUCK I am sick to think MS is everywhere too........!
Palabras por mhg spat forth on el 22 de Febrero, 2008 at 11:32 AM
a4L dijo:
something tells me microsoft is going to start a dating service for Latinos..when is the last time they had an original idea? "netscape --> Internet Explorer" "real player-->windows media player", ...
Palabras por a4L spat forth on el 22 de Febrero, 2008 at 02:00 PM
Deoridhe dijo:
The language bullshit always makes me want to learn enough of a Native American language to say something hugely snarky.
As a side note: *"Tu media Naranja" means "your soulmate." Though literally, "your half orange."
I love the connotation/denotations of phrases in languages. In French, "you make me fall into the apples" is one term for falling in love.
Palabras por Deoridhe spat forth on el 22 de Febrero, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Deoridhe dijo:
Your comment has been pulled out of line and patted down for conquistadorial intent.
Shoot, maybe the armor and puffy pants gave me away! Uh... *waves hand in the air* this is not the conquistad... I mean the droid you are looking for.
Palabras por Deoridhe spat forth on el 22 de Febrero, 2008 at 02:23 PM
M
dijo:
Sorry, folks! Comments are in moderation for now; I'm housesitting UMX for the weekend.
Delays in appearance and conquistadorsal investigations are mea culpa.
Palabras por M
spat forth on el 22 de Febrero, 2008 at 06:04 PM
Tom dijo:
Yeah, and even now calling Spanish a "foreign" language tells you something about where in the U.S. Microsoft is located.
Palabras por Tom spat forth on el 22 de Febrero, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Richard "No dime gringo..". dijo:
Since when are English and French the only "official" languages of North America. Uh, hasn't NAFTA been in place since 1994... and the United States is the 4th (or 7th, depending on which committee of the Real Academia you talk to) largest Spanish-speaking country. Que barbaro!
Palabras por Richard "No dime gringo..". spat forth on el 22 de Febrero, 2008 at 11:09 PM
M
dijo:
A bit of devil's advocacy for speaking
FrenchFreedomFrench. Microsoft's not coming completely out of left field about the importance French plays in international languages, but it is full of shit on trying to outlaw Spanish on this (or any) website.Palabras por M
spat forth on el 23 de Febrero, 2008 at 05:28 AM
mex.eagle dijo:
Orale what's goin on with those vatos de Microsuave's? it's just an other
emblema razista? get in line Mic's
Palabras por mex.eagle spat forth on el 23 de Febrero, 2008 at 10:03 AM