Loren.Yaw.Curtis.Everybody else.
SUPREME ILLUMINATION;
It is patently stupid to assume that a non-English speaking country is literally speaking not only English but modern American English,complete with modern slang.This should not even be a subject of discussion.They are speaking Wakandan except for when they are speaking to non-Wakandans or excpet when the DM are speaking to BP specifically and privately.Anybody who argues or suggests otherwise is thoroughly misled.So what that there isn't the specific in-story reference to this? That's like assuming that Namor is a native english speaker.A story about Namor won't always bracket his language when he's speaking to other Atlanteans,nor would we expect such a thing when the Deviants or other non-humans are speaking.Have you seen any brackets in the language used on PLANET HULK? Has anyone harped upon how absurd it is for THE HULK to just whoopsy-daisy land on an ENGLISH SPEAKING PLANET OF FRIGGIN NON-HUMANS? No? Because the whole suspension of belief thing combined with the important issue which is: ENJOY THE DAMN STORY is so prevalent as to be immediately grasped and understood without need for further clarification.
The same thing applies to RH BP...excepting for those whom are looking to couch their dislike of the series as attacks on the quality of writing.Frequently the real issue which is being couched in other terms is an issue of STYLE PREFERENCE or TASTE.Okay fine.Had that discussion.Also very frequently,the issue is magnified by the misunderstandings that arise between two racial groups with a long standing history of conflict and uneasy resolution,and the murky lens that the fanbratti use--even with the best of intentions--to perceive us.Broad misunderstandings under such conditions are mandatory,and not always of malicious intent.Assuming malice to be the source of every misunderstanding or conflict is second only to assuming that malice is nonexistent in ANY misunderstanding or conflct.
Loren,nobody was trying to turn the conversation into a conversation solely about race,with you as the much maligned but actually altruistic outsider.However,it's impossible to NOT apply race to this conversation...and those whom fail to see the connection fail to perceive the issue properly.Period.
There are "Americanisms" in RH BP and anybody else who has crafted BP as well.Even PRIEST couldn't avoid it...and his interpretation of a Wakanda not influenced by Western powers is the view of a man whom IS influenced by Western power's view of a whole country whom ISN'T.Once again,those who take umbrage with RH BP for not taking on the same or similar approach as PRIEST has are decrying the style of the writer,not the quality of the story.Remember we still have a whole year of stories to read in '07 so we don't really KNOW what's the final word on Wakandan perspectives under RH BP,although to me it's clear: RH has not altered the fact that less than 10 name characters in all of MU have ever left Wakanda,and RH had TSYAN fervently deny any desire to live in NEW YORK or anywhere else for any period of time as opposed to Wakanda...and stil lless than 10 names have left Wakanda for even BRIEF periods,excepting always of course RH TCHALLA himself.
So...language and slanguage? Translated always unless otherwise noted. Interpretation of Wakanda? Still much more to come,the jury's out...don't like the interpretation you see so far? Style preference,which is your business.The writing is still done with quality...and quality is frequently in the final analysis a SUBJECTIVE APPRAISAL,and thus too can be chalked up to style preferences,or at least likes,nonommital,or dislike.
But if you're a fan of BP...whether RH BP or not...can we at least agree that RH has engineered the much higher profile and A-list transformation of our hero? Can we not nod to and have applause for this commitment from big wigs at Marvel to BP specifically and diversification slowly but more generally...which RH is a major force for and a major indication of? If we like BP THE CHARACTER,I cannot see how we can fail to conclude that this is a permanently good thing,and at least respect this man RH for doing what nobody else could or would do in that regard.
Let's stop quibbling over these little things that we already know the answer to,and to which RH himself has taken the time to addres in his sticky thread regarding BP HATERS adn FLAMING.
Endeth ILLUMINATION