Annoying grammar mistakes on Vonage commercials

Posts: 8 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 03, 2011 Posts: 8

Words such as: Vueno, vonito, varato do not exist in Spanish. So, I consider offensive you guys do not care about how to reach Hispanic populations. We are well educated people. You should be careful.

The correct words should be: Bueno, bonito, barato.

Will you find acceptable if your commercial goes like this:

Guid, Beeuteeful, eeneexpinsev? No, right?

Just like me, most of the Hispanic people I know won't even think about subscribing a contract with you guys just because of that annoying slogan.

Be more respectful.
Thanks.

Posts: 433

It has nothing to do with being disrespectful. It is called Marketing. Since the V and B sounds are identical in spoken Spanish, someone thought it would be catchy or clever to replace the correctly spelled words with a V since V=Vonage.

Your example of misspelled English words is not even close to the same as Vonage replacing one consonant with another that sounds exactly the same. It is only marketing and not meant to be offensive, in my opinion.

Le recomiendo considerar Vonage si tiene la necesidad a hacer llamadas a Mexico o otro pais de Hispanamerica. Puede ahorrar mucho dinero. Por examplo, mi esposa es Mexicana y podemos marcar a calquier telefono fijo en todo el pais, y hablamos todos los minutos que queremos y solo pagamos $34 cada mes. Saludos

Posts: 8 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 03, 2011 Posts: 8

What do you mean "si pensara". Por supuesto que pienso!!! Of course I think. Your subject title is also disrespectful. Now you'll tell me what I do find offensive? How in the world can you decide wether somebody finds something offensive or not.

That annoying slogan is not catchy AT ALL. It's just another example how "Marketing" can fail trying to appropriately reach a target. Like I said I know more about Hispanic culture than you ever know in your entire life. Even though those letters sound almost the same, it is WRONG to WRITE "Bueno" or "Bonito" or "Barato" with "V".
When you do that you are affecting children education since we parents want them to learn GOOD Spanish. Not that distorted way you are spreading all over with your WRONG "MarKeting".

I and any of family members and friends will NEVER attend any offer coming from you or your company while you keep showing those wrong standards.

Is it clear enough for you?

tglea wrote:

It has nothing to do with being disrespectful. It is called Marketing. Since the V and B sounds are identical in spoken Spanish, someone thought it would be catchy or clever to replace the correctly spelled words with a V since V=Vonage.

Your example of misspelled English words is not even close to the same as Vonage replacing one consonant with another that sounds exactly the same. It is only marketing and not meant to be offensive, in my opinion.

Le recomiendo considerar Vonage si tiene la necesidad a hacer llamadas a Mexico o otro pais de Hispanamerica. Puede ahorrar mucho dinero. Por examplo, mi esposa es Mexicana y podemos marcar a calquier telefono fijo en todo el pais, y hablamos todos los minutos que queremos y solo pagamos $34 cada mes. Saludos

Posts: 433 · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 1:23 pm Post subject:

Are you serious? It is funny that you waste your time to find this website and then proceed get in an argument about the marketing practices of Vonage. Your first post to the site was to spout off a complaint!

First of all, this website is not owned by or in any way affiliated with Vonage. You are talking to me as if I work for Vonage or actually care whether or not you or your friends will ever use the service. I don't. If you and your friends want to continue wasting your money on phone cards, I don't really care.

This is a website for users of Vonage to ask questions and help other users. Do you really have nothing better to do with your time? I wasn't trying to be disrespectful. I was just simply trying to point out to you the fact that there is another way to look at Vonage's commercial that you find so offensive. I surely hope, if you are of Hispanic origin, that you know more about the culture than I do. But your statement that Vonage offends so many Hispanics is wrong. I know several Mexicans who gladly use the service, who are not offended by the commercial and think it is clever, to keep in touch with family in Mexico.

Do you really rely on television commercials to educate your children? That seems to be your biggest complaint. Vonage is teaching your kids bad Spanish. That is funny to say the least.

Posts: 8 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 03, 2011 Posts: 8

Obviously there's something wrong with you. If you find what I said that funny and have better things to do, just forget about it. I wasn't talking to you anyway. I do whatever I want with my time. This is a free country and I can complaint of whatever I want. I hope a smart person from Vonage can read this. So, if you don't work for Vonage, please stop replying to my posts.

Do what you want, get a life and let other people express what they want. I don't need any help from you. You as well as some others in this country think being Hispanic is being ignorant. You have no idea about the level of education in Latin American countries.

I don't care what you know or pretend to know. I talked to you because you answered to my post in the first place. And you wrote just like you know Vonage marketing practices very well. So, don't get yourself into things which are not of your business.

You don't speak Spanish, and don't even know how to use it correctly that's obvious. You are not entitled to draw any conclusion just because you know some Mexicans. Do you have an idea how many countries are in Latin America and how many people live in those countries, Mr./Mrs Know it all? Obviously you don't.

Finally, I don't rely my children's education on TV commercials but you should know (maybe I'm expecting to much from you) media affect the way people learn, basically vulnerable populations like kids who are learning Spanish as a second language which is my concern not yours obviously.

Or, according to you, my kids cannot watch TV in Spanish? Mediocre people who barely speak 1 language do not understand how important is to at least being bilingual. As parent I monitor what they watch and will find the way to beat Vonage mal practices regardless of your opinions (which I wasn't asking for, BTW)

If you ever have the chance, which I doubt, to live in another country where English is not the official language and you want your kids to keep your native language then you will be able to understand what I'm talking about.

You keep saying I don't have better things to do. How about you? You need to learn a lot before you are able to get connected to educated people and responsible parents. I don't care what you think about me or my ideas.

So, I really appreciate if you do not contact me again. I mean stop harassing me just because I am expressing my opinion. I am free to use this forum as long as I comply with the terms to be part of this community.

Hasta nunca.

tglea wrote:

Are you serious? It is funny that you waste your time to find this website and then proceed get in an argument about the marketing practices of Vonage. Your first post to the site was to spout off a complaint!

First of all, this website is not owned by or in any way affiliated with Vonage. You are talking to me as if I work for Vonage or actually care whether or not you or your friends will ever use the service. I don't. If you and your friends want to continue wasting your money on phone cards, I don't really care.

This is a website for users of Vonage to ask questions and help other users. Do you really have nothing better to do with your time? I wasn't trying to be disrespectful. I was just simply trying to point out to you the fact that there is another way to look at Vonage's commercial that you find so offensive. I surely hope, if you are of Hispanic origin, that you know more about the culture than I do. But your statement that Vonage offends so many Hispanics is wrong. I know several Mexicans who gladly use the service, who are not offended by the commercial and think it is clever, to keep in touch with family in Mexico.

Do you really rely on television commercials to educate your children? That seems to be your biggest complaint. Vonage is teaching your kids bad Spanish. That is funny to say the least.

Posts: 433 · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 3:44 pm Post subject:

I have lived in another country, Mexico. What? Now you will tell me that doesn't count? I too, am a parent and have lived the concerns about my children being able to speak my native language, English. I know more about Latin America than you will ever know.

My Spanish surely isn't perfect, but you should first correct all of your mistakes writing in English if you are going to criticize my use of Spanish. It is funny to see that you are so frustrated and have nothing of importance to say that you proceed to make fun of my Spanish skills, much in the way that a child would behave. So I fear, with you as a parent, that Vonage's bad grammar in their commercial is the least of your children's problems.

You are not entitled to draw your conclusions just because you are Hispanic. You sound like an angry person who believes everyone is against you because of your ethnicity. So you resort to, with noting more productive to do, complaining about a television commercial. That is sad.

You tell me to leave you alone and it's not my business? You are the person who started this by placing your ideas in a PUBLIC forum. Now you say that I don't have the right to respond to you? That is surely the logic of an uneducated hypocrite.

My first reply to you wasn't rude, disrespectful or full of criticism. I simply pointed out that there are other people with other opinions, who possibly think different about Vonage than you. You are the one who proceeded to get angry and offensive with your subsequent post.

It's funny to see that you are not intelligent enough to realize that YOU posted your ideas in a place where others are free to respond. You thought you were contacting Vonage directly. Now you are angry with me for responding?

Gracias por tu tiempo bobo/a.

Posts: 8 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 03, 2011 Posts: 8

Certainly I don't have time for this kind on situations but let me tell you this given the fact that you keep harassing me. You and I have the right to write what we think but you don't have the right to offend me just because I have different ideas.

Of course I make mistakes when I speak and or write in English because English is only one of the 4 languages I speak fluently. Spanish is my native language. So, I'm not offended with it LOL. That's a shame that you lived in Mexico and do not write Spanish "as bad" as I do write in English. Punto para mi.

You will never ever in your entire life will know better than I do about Latin America simply because I was born there and I came to this great and beautiful country after completing college and 2 Master Degrees. I came to USA invited by your government to work in helping other people like you regardless you like it or not. My beautiful wife is Hispanic as well because I didn't come to get papers. My kids are Americans though and I want the best education for them. Just like the one I get for myself in my country.
See? That's why. I will never pretend that I know better than you about USA. I'm still learning and improving my skills. I'm an American citizen but will never ever forget my Hispanic heritage. I'm extremely proud of being a highly educated Hispanic guy. So, I'm sorry for you hater.

I understand you wrote "si pensara" due to your limited knowledge of my language. I got mad because of that but now I understand. There are subtle differences when using words trying to say the same but some are polite and others are rude. Just like you sound.

I don't need to clarify it but just for the records, I'm a happy guy with a beautiful family.
See how you notice my mistakes in English but do not accept those mistakes in the commercial. That's funny. Don't mess up my language and won't mess up yours.

By the way, please, do not call me names. I won't play that game with you. I'm better than that. If you do that again, I will simply report you.
Don't be a hater. Bring love and light to your sad life.
Adios (it means Farewell, it doesn't mean see you later). Got it.

tglea wrote:

I have lived in another country, Mexico. What? Now you will tell me that doesn't count? I too, am a parent and have lived the concerns about my children being able to speak my native language, English. I know more about Latin America than you will ever know.

My Spanish surely isn't perfect, but you should first correct all of your mistakes writing in English if you are going to criticize my use of Spanish. It is funny to see that you are so frustrated and have nothing of importance to say that you proceed to make fun of my Spanish skills, much in the way that a child would behave. So I fear, with you as a parent, that Vonage's bad grammar in their commercial is the least of your children's problems.

You are not entitled to draw your conclusions just because you are Hispanic. You sound like an angry person who believes everyone is against you because of your ethnicity. So you resort to, with noting more productive to do, complaining about a television commercial. That is sad.

You tell me to leave you alone and it's not my business? You are the person who started this by placing your ideas in a PUBLIC forum. Now you say that I don't have the right to respond to you? That is surely the logic of an uneducated hypocrite.

My first reply to you wasn't rude, disrespectful or full of criticism. I simply pointed out that there are other people with other opinions, who possibly think different about Vonage than you. You are the one who proceeded to get angry and offensive with your subsequent post.

It's funny to see that you are not intelligent enough to realize that YOU posted your ideas in a place where others are free to respond. You thought you were contacting Vonage directly. Now you are angry with me for responding?

Gracias por tu tiempo bobo/a.

Posts: 8 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 03, 2011 Posts: 8

"noting" more productive to do
LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL Being a master mind in English jajajaj and having those mistakes. Notin bad jajajajajaj

tglea wrote:

I have lived in another country, Mexico. What? Now you will tell me that doesn't count? I too, am a parent and have lived the concerns about my children being able to speak my native language, English. I know more about Latin America than you will ever know.

My Spanish surely isn't perfect, but you should first correct all of your mistakes writing in English if you are going to criticize my use of Spanish. It is funny to see that you are so frustrated and have nothing of importance to say that you proceed to make fun of my Spanish skills, much in the way that a child would behave. So I fear, with you as a parent, that Vonage's bad grammar in their commercial is the least of your children's problems.

You are not entitled to draw your conclusions just because you are Hispanic. You sound like an angry person who believes everyone is against you because of your ethnicity. So you resort to, with noting more productive to do, complaining about a television commercial. That is sad.

You tell me to leave you alone and it's not my business? You are the person who started this by placing your ideas in a PUBLIC forum. Now you say that I don't have the right to respond to you? That is surely the logic of an uneducated hypocrite.

My first reply to you wasn't rude, disrespectful or full of criticism. I simply pointed out that there are other people with other opinions, who possibly think different about Vonage than you. You are the one who proceeded to get angry and offensive with your subsequent post.

It's funny to see that you are not intelligent enough to realize that YOU posted your ideas in a place where others are free to respond. You thought you were contacting Vonage directly. Now you are angry with me for responding?

Gracias por tu tiempo bobo/a.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 15, 2011 Posts: 3

Latino, I am with you.

A mi también me parece ofensivo para nuestro idioma ese comercial. Yo también soy una persona preparada viviendo en éste país y me molesta ver que le hagan eso a nuestro idioma.

Pero Latino, es bueno que expongas tu opinión, lo que ya no es bueno o es vueno? jajaja sólo es broma, es que pierdas tu tiempo discutiendo con ésta persona que obviamente nunca va a entender tu molestia, yo si te entiendo! y agradezco que no sea la única que se ha molestado con éste comercial.

Saludos!!

Posts: 8 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 03, 2011 Posts: 8

Hola Latina:

No tienes idea cuanto me alegran tus palabras. Pues, en principio pense que se trataba de alguien relacionado con la compania. Luego me di cuenta que no. Me disgusto su actitud por la forma que encabezo el post pues dijo: "Si pensara". Al final me di cuenta de que no conoce bien nuestro idioma por lo cual le reste importancia. Cuando volvio con ofensas ya me dio risa aunque pude ver que detras de sus comentarios hay cierto desden por nuestra cultura. Sin embargo, a uno le exigen que debe dominar el ingles pero muchos, como ella, no hacen ningun esfuerzo por entender lo que significa emigrar y "casi volver a nacer" como nos toca a todos los que venimos a este gran pais.

Un aVrazo jejejejej and "hav" a "gootay" sista LOL