5 ms·
The utility of "air quotes" for English-as-a-second-language people is a neat idea, actually. It's often hard to get sarcasm across in a language you're not tot
by pm215 13y ago
The utility of "air quotes" for English-as-a-second-language people is a neat idea, actually. It's often hard to get sarcasm across in a language you're not totally fluent in because either you don't get the tone of voice right or listeners will assume you didn't mean the tone of voice anyway. An out-of-band gesture is a nice unmistakable signal which avoids that issue entirely.
- epaladin 13y agoIs that just an American thing, or an English speaking thing in general? I didn't realize how second nature it was until I used it in Japan a few times- and noticed the usual effect was not achieved. I don't think I ever tried explaining it to anyone though.
- rmc 13y agoAir-quotes would be understood as sarcasm in many other Anglosphere countries like the UK and Ireland. Remember the USA produces a lot of TV & film that's watched in the rest of the Anglosphere, so we'd be familiar with US speaking patterns like that.
- agersant 13y agoWorks in France too.
- gpvos 13y agoIt works in many European languages and countries.