BY DR. GLENN MOLLETTE
The Super Bowl is now in the history books and already forgotten by most Americans. I do not know if there was more talk about the Seahawks and the Patriots or the Super Bowl halftime show.
I admit, I had never heard of Bad Bunny until he was announced a few months back as this year’s halftime entertainment. Later, I heard him talk at the Grammy Awards but I could not understand anything he said. Actually, I do not understand Spanish or any other languages. I often go to Mexican restaurants but do not understand what the waiters and cooks are saying to each other. I hope they are saying how glad they are to see me or something nice like that.
Whenever I am in an Asian restaurant and the workers are talking, I do not understand them either. I have been to a few foreign countries and never understood what they were saying. It really is helpful when people in France or Germany can communicate in English. Seems like people in cities like Berlin or Paris speak better English than those farther from the city.
I guess I am growing more and more disadvantaged. I work with a number of people from Myanmar. They are extremely nice but most of them struggle with English. They have been in America for years and seem to be managing. No doubt they are managing better here than I would in Myanmar.
Years ago, I spent a couple of weeks in South Africa. That country has 12 official languages. English is their predominant language. Thus, it was easier for us to navigate the country. Yet I do not know how a country can function with so many official languages.
I have heard people say they loved the Super Bowl show and others say they hated it. I have heard others say they watched alternate shows. Then there are a handful of people like me who wish they would cancel the halftime show or just have the local university’s marching band entertain us. That will not happen because the Super Bowl is about Super money. Big money. Advertising spots went from $8 million to $10 million each with total advertising revenue for NBC estimated at $700 million.
Still, I did not understand a word Bad Bunny said. By the way it has taken me forever to get his name straight. I thought it was Bugs Bunny, then Blue Bunny and then Big Bunny. I apologize for being slow to understand that his name is Bad Bunny. He does not act bad. He looks like a nice fellow. He is from Puerto Rico and he seems to carry a tune well. Yet, I do not know what he is saying. Although I was not raised Hispanic, I love Hispanic people. At this stage of my life, I just do not have time to learn another language. Maybe I will have to.
I hope next year’s Super Bowl halftime show will be in English. Oh yeah, I could not understand Lady Gaga. Until she sang, I thought there was something wrong with my television. I have read that Bad Bunny is fluent in English. This is America. Most Americans only speak English.
I guess it must have worked for the National Football League. However, it did not work for me.
Dr. Glenn Mollette is read in all 50 states. He is also the author of numerous books and can be heard each weekday morning on XM Radio 131.
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