language barriers.
Pacomc79
Posts: 9,404
The LPGA has decided all players must pass an english exam to play on thier tour due to the influx of South Korean golfers that are good because they want thier players to communicate with sposors and be part of marketing.
Thoughts?
Mine are mixed.
I definately understand the LPGA desiring this, but it's done easily through an interpreter and all they really need to do is show good golf to market it, besides they've got Paula Creamer. If they were smart, they'd market South Korea and go get Samsung on board, but this might kill that.
It's interesting really having just come back from Europe where the dynamic is different and everyone seemingly speaks several languages in large cities anyway. In New York and LA and other large tourist cities I'm sure there are places most people can go and find their language spoken but it's really not that common in the US. I could find Portugese, Spanish, Manderin and Vietnamese easily in Atlanta but I'm not sure about most European languages. I don't think mainly because it's one large country. I can understand most spanish but not speak it well. I was impressed in Italy as everyone seemed to speak Italian, English, German, French and Spanish well enough to communicate well and have conversations.
What do you think? Do you demand your language be spoken? Do you speak several languages and it's no big deal? What are your feelings toward the LPGA's ruling on forced learned English?
Thoughts?
Mine are mixed.
I definately understand the LPGA desiring this, but it's done easily through an interpreter and all they really need to do is show good golf to market it, besides they've got Paula Creamer. If they were smart, they'd market South Korea and go get Samsung on board, but this might kill that.
It's interesting really having just come back from Europe where the dynamic is different and everyone seemingly speaks several languages in large cities anyway. In New York and LA and other large tourist cities I'm sure there are places most people can go and find their language spoken but it's really not that common in the US. I could find Portugese, Spanish, Manderin and Vietnamese easily in Atlanta but I'm not sure about most European languages. I don't think mainly because it's one large country. I can understand most spanish but not speak it well. I was impressed in Italy as everyone seemed to speak Italian, English, German, French and Spanish well enough to communicate well and have conversations.
What do you think? Do you demand your language be spoken? Do you speak several languages and it's no big deal? What are your feelings toward the LPGA's ruling on forced learned English?
My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
Players should boycott the LPGA, better yet, start their own golf tournment. It's not like the LPGA or american female golfers are all that popular, even here in the U.S. If it wasn't for the asian and other foreign countries that draw the limited attraction, there would be no LPGA worth sponsoring. Money talks!!! Let some of the key players walk and the LPGA will change its tune.
Golf, unlike most other major sports (except NASCAR), is very sponsor driven, and marketed with the help of the better players. In baseball, football, hockey & basketball, a player can manage without speaking the language. Personally, it may hurt them in things like endorsements, but the league can still market the teams or other players.
In golf, the players ARE the league, and a lot of their (the premier players) time is spent on sponsor appearances, fan appearances, etc. If a large percentage of the top players (like currently in the LPGA) don't speak English, it does hurt the tour in the long run.
I just think that they can implement a language program, and things like that without threats of suspending players or whatever.
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
well put. I have no problem with this at all. does anyone have a link to the story?
here is one.
http://www.newsday.com/sports/golf/ny-spmark275818006aug27,0,6913416.column
I'm just really interested their PR department let this get out in it's current state.
It's the LPGA and it's not popular to begin with this is not something you want discussed in the media. This is something that should have been handled behind closed doors. This may hurt sponsorship as much as the language barrier, that's the point.
They absolutely need their golfers to speak english. I'm not advocating the government getting involved at all. I detest that. The idea is sound smart business, but seriously... this is terrible PR for a group that really needs good PR.
Most products are sold world-wide, use a better marketing concept. Language should not be an issue as commercials can be dubbed over.
Even for products which are sold world-wide they're marketed to specific demographics and regions. Marketing 101. Maybe you should use a better marketing concept. Language is an issue. So is the type of ad run, what is said, how one is dressed, what music is playing in the background, etc... There are lots of different factors that go into producing advertising and marketing materials. Your one-size-fits-all model doesn't work. Sorry.
We talking about a sports event, sponsors have the option to chose a representative. They don't have to chose a non-English speaking person. If they do, then it is their choice.
I'm the not presenting a one-size-fits-all model, that is what the LPGA is doing.
I look at the NBA. Yao, Nene, they knew this. They got through the first couple years with an interpreter. In the meantime, they were learning English and by their 3rd year were able to get by a post game interview. No 'forced' rule necessary, common sense took care of it.
Interestingly enough, K.J. Choi on the mens tour doesn't speak English (I am pretty sure on this). It will remain a reason why he isn't as popular as he could be. if KJ doesn't care he isn't marketable neither should I.
Much ado about nothing. This problem would have worked itself out. I do think somebody in the LPGA's PR department is getting a nice talking to
second, granted i am taking it to extremes, if everybody in the LPGA didn't speak english, it would cease to exist.
Let's just breathe...
I am myself like you somehow
The most obvious I can think of in the sports world is the NBA.
Yeah Team USA did it for thier country and looked happy and proud and all that jazz.
But ultimately, as global as the NBA is (more popular in China than the US at this point very likely) Those guys got it and they played entertaining ball.... and they threw down harder dunks and really put on a show for the Chinese audience. They don't do that shit on an average night in the NBA almost ever.
Ultimately if a Korean golfer is so good they can trancend the language barrier because of immense talent, eventually they are going to pickup some english as it's required. I mean that's just basic and logical. I bet Kobe Bryant has taken some Chinese lessons to expand his brand as well.
Instituting some hardline policy like within 2 years you MUST pass some kind of english test or your are kicked off tour comes off as distasteful. Someones pet project so to speak.. as if they wanted to be exclusive all of a sudden.
Out of 45 or so Koreans I'm sure maybe 5 are stars, other than that, the rest will pick up enough english in 2 years to communicate on the golf course or not walk in someones line or be jovial to some wannabe club player paying big money to play in a pro am... the vast majority of all communication on the course can easily be non verbal and if they LIVE in the US it's their best interest to learn anyway and they'll do that on their own. Hell I think my press release would be to send Michelle Wie to Q school and golf etiquette classes first before she makes an ass out of herself or the womens tour any further. That would be good PR.
Not that I think it is right or wrong but when somebody wins and can't put together two sentences for the viewing public, well..................