Do people, certain cultures associated with, or certain events prevent you from learning a language?

[Serpent]

Slovenia eliminated Russia from the World Cup 2010 qualification This was my favourite player's only chance to play at a world cup and I'm still not over it, though I'm starting to be able to enjoy the language the way I do with Bulgarian or Slovak (ie no serious study).

@aokoye here we tend to think of Americans as rich, so imo something like theft/robbery is a bigger risk than a hate crime. The latter generally has a class component, and a black African student is far more likely to be affected than an American tourist. (but I totally understand that it's disturbing to realize that there are people who could try to hurt you if they knew they could get away with it ) Organized travel should also further minimize any risk but I also understand not being willing to travel with a group.

[DaveBee]

Slovenia eliminated Russia from the World Cup 2010 qualification This was my favourite player's only chance to play at a world cup and I'm still not over it, though I'm starting to be able to enjoy the language the way I do with Bulgarian or Slovak (ie no serious study).

Never forget!

Hand of God? No! Hand of Maradona!

[tarvos]

Slovenia eliminated Russia from the World Cup 2010 qualification This was my favourite player's only chance to play at a world cup and I'm still not over it, though I'm starting to be able to enjoy the language the way I do with Bulgarian or Slovak (ie no serious study).

@aokoye here we tend to think of Americans as rich, so imo something like theft/robbery is a bigger risk than a hate crime. The latter generally has a class component, and a black African student is far more likely to be affected than an American tourist. (but I totally understand that it's disturbing to realize that there are people who could try to hurt you if they knew they could get away with it ) Organized travel should also further minimize any risk but I also understand not being willing to travel with a group.

I'm pretty wary of hate crimes though, for obvious reasons.

[Iversen]

The Romans prevented me from ever learning proper Etruscan.

[tarvos]

Slovenia eliminated Russia from the World Cup 2010 qualification This was my favourite player's only chance to play at a world cup and I'm still not over it, though I'm starting to be able to enjoy the language the way I do with Bulgarian or Slovak (ie no serious study).

Never forget!

Hand of God? No! Hand of Maradona!

no era penal

[Jimjam]

The first and only one that comes to mind is Russian. I love the sound of the spoken language and had dreams of one day learning it but then I learnt a lot about aspects of Russian law and society which make me not want to travel there being an LGBT individual. This greatly influences my opinions on a language so now I have no desire to learn Russian though if the situation were to someday miraculously change, then I would definitely rethink my stance.

(I just want to clarify that I do not mean to infer that all Russians hold the same beliefs as to what I'm talking about so I apologise if there is any misunderstandings)

[tarvos]

I know plenty of individuals who are okay with it. But they are always that - individuals - and some of them have warned me not to go to Russia for the time being. That's the problem with these things - there are always exceptions, but there's nearly always a prevailing trend that doesn't help.

[aokoye]

@aokoye here we tend to think of Americans as rich, so imo something like theft/robbery is a bigger risk than a hate crime. The latter generally has a class component, and a black African student is far more likely to be affected than an American tourist. (but I totally understand that it's disturbing to realize that there are people who could try to hurt you if they knew they could get away with it ) Organized travel should also further minimize any risk but I also understand not being willing to travel with a group.

Yeah but a black person from the US who could potentially be read as an exchange student (though one with appalling Russian)? I also really dislike traveling in groups so that bit is out. I mean for what it's worth there are also parts of the US that I refuse to travel to for very similar reasons given the number of potential "strikes" I have against me. Black, queer, trans (though I have passing privilege - though that would go right out the window if I was in a situation where I needed emergency medical care - also black and male in the US...), Jewish...
The one thing that the US has going for it for me specifically is that I can at least understand what people are saying if they're being verbally abusive and talk back in a very coherent manner if need be. In Germany, among other places, if someone is being raced or xenophobic towards me I'm not necessarily going to be able to compose a retort quickly or one that would be appropriate for the situation. This happened when I was living in Vienna nearly 10 years ago but the workers at the cafe that I was in quickly came to my defence.

[Henkkles]

"Do people, certain cultures associated with, or certain events prevent you from learning a language?"

If the people I talk to had nothing to do with them, no, not really. The world is full of pleasant, free-thinking individuals who don't share the superstitions and stereotypes attributed to their particular cultural context. It is a major disservice to look at a person's nationality before they have had a chance to speak and act for themselves.

Then again I only start a language if I know a native beforehand, because my wanderlust is too strong.

[brilliantyears]

The first and only one that comes to mind is Russian. I love the sound of the spoken language and had dreams of one day learning it but then I learnt a lot about aspects of Russian law and society which make me not want to travel there being an LGBT individual. This greatly influences my opinions on a language so now I have no desire to learn Russian though if the situation were to someday miraculously change, then I would definitely rethink my stance.

This is exactly what stopped me from being even remotely interested in that area before (whether it's language(s) or travelling). This recently changed (and I have no idea where my sudden interest comes from - the opportunity to travel, mostly?). But even though I personally can remain 'invisible' (unless anyone checks social media in which case I'm in big trouble), it does go against all my principles.