> your suggestion that any translation is "dumbing it down" is as absurd as your first argument, and an insult to every teacher. I didn't suggest that, otherwi

> your suggestion that any translation is "dumbing it down" is as absurd as your first argument, and an insult to every teacher. I didn't suggest that, otherwise I wouldn't mention first-hand accounts of people who speak your language. I'm eastern European and I've seen my share of people trying to explain Russia to others without an appropriate understanding of the topic. They're often hilariously off the mark and I'm surprised anyone would prefer them over sources closer to the matter. > In anticipation, one easy argument against this purity is that people who speak English, live in America, went to college in America, got degrees in America ... STILL do not understand incredibly large parts of American culture until it is explained to them in their mode and register, and not even then in many cases. Do you consider yourself such a person? I mean, that's real some self-awareness, but at the same time you're condemning yourself to reliance on people who may or may not know what they're talking about.