When I read Ramiro’s comment, I assumed that they were referring to the other common definition of marvelous (“causing great wonder; extraordinary” rather than “extremely good or pleasing”). I don’t know whether English is their first language, but I’ve seen people for whom English isn’t a first language use “positive” English words (e.g. “incredible”) in ways that are technically correct, but not common in the U.S. (e.g. “this can’t possibly be true”).
To provide a sillier example, calling the Great Pyramids of Giza a “wonder of the world” doesn’t necessarily imply that you think a project created by slave labor was “wondrous” in the sense of being good—you could instead mean that the Pyramids are unusually large/interesting/well-constructed compared to other architecture of the ancient world, or something like that.
In any case, if you see a comment that makes you think someone is endorsing a very harmful/problematic view, it seems best to ask a clarifying question when the situation is ambiguous.
I would not call any conquest marvelous
When I read Ramiro’s comment, I assumed that they were referring to the other common definition of marvelous (“causing great wonder; extraordinary” rather than “extremely good or pleasing”). I don’t know whether English is their first language, but I’ve seen people for whom English isn’t a first language use “positive” English words (e.g. “incredible”) in ways that are technically correct, but not common in the U.S. (e.g. “this can’t possibly be true”).
To provide a sillier example, calling the Great Pyramids of Giza a “wonder of the world” doesn’t necessarily imply that you think a project created by slave labor was “wondrous” in the sense of being good—you could instead mean that the Pyramids are unusually large/interesting/well-constructed compared to other architecture of the ancient world, or something like that.
In any case, if you see a comment that makes you think someone is endorsing a very harmful/problematic view, it seems best to ask a clarifying question when the situation is ambiguous.
Thanks Aaron. I try not to assume anything, and usually ask for clarification. I should have done the same here.