Try to find an example for a word, phrase or gesture, (maybe a habit )that may mean something different from culture to culture:
Belief
Believing that some numbers could bring you good or bad luck.
For some eastern countries like Japan or China they believe that the number 4 is a bad omen and it’s meaning relates to death, so they would not have a room (apartment, hospital room, hotel room, street...est.) with that number.
Furthermore have you ever seen a Japanese elevator?
You may find that some of its numbers are missing or replaced and the elevator's numbers may even start from -1.
For us in the Islamic communities we believe that the 1 and 7 may give us good luck (1 refering to only one Allah and 7 refering to the seven heavens).
not using electronics
There is a culture that dose not believe in using anything electronically related, yet they still want to use modern means, so they have an elevator that runs on solar power (sunlight).
in addition when entering the elevator they would not press any of the elevator’s buttons they just get in to the elevator and wait for it to reach their floor (the elevator stops on each floor automatically).
Colours
When receiving a red letter
In China and Japan receiving a red letter on New Years, it is a great omen because it means they have been given some money.
In England to receive a red letter it means you still have some bills to pay and that this is the final notice (warning).
But i think to receive a red letter in America is the worst because it mostly means that someone you hold close to you or know has just died in the Forces and this is the letter to inform you of their death.
Giving flowers
Most people would love to receive flower or have someone put flowers on their desk. but if you were from Japan it would be considered an insult because in their culture it means that you are telling them to go and die.
Words
The word (date)
If you were to tell someone that you have a date later on today, most would think that you meant it as a social date yet in some countries when you say this it means it has somthing to do with work and that you have a meeting later on.
also for us in the arab communities date means the fruit that is eaten with arabian coffee.
Can you think of anything to add to this?
That was interesting to read , I can't think of an example right now , but I'll add one later .
ReplyDeletewhat I can't understand , is the thing of not using electronics , I find it a bit strange , is it a kind of gap or something ?
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ReplyDeleteI know something related to your question Muneera, for instance, Amish people look at linking with electrical wires as a connection with the world, which is forbidden in their interpretation of the Bible. They did not make this decision because they thought electricity was evil in itself, but because easy access to it could lead to many temptations and the deterioration of their family life. This is one example of why some people do not use electricity.
ReplyDeleteChinese ways of dealing with seeming contradictions result in a dialectical or compromise approach—retaining basic elements of opposing perspectives by seeking a "middle way." On the other hand, European–American ways, deriving from a lay version of Aristotelian logic, result in a differentiation model that polarized contradictory perspectives in an effort to determine which factor is position is correct. Five empirical studies showed that dialectical thinking is a form of folk wisdom in Chinese culture: Chinese participants preferred dialectical proverbs containing seeming contradictions more than did American participants. Chinese participants also preferred dialectical resolutions to social conflicts and preferred dialectical arguments over classical Western logical arguments. Furthermore, when 2 apparently contradictory propositions were presented, American participants polarized their views, and Chinese participants were moderately accepting of of both propositions. Origins of these cultural differences and their implications for human reasoning in general are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved)
ReplyDeleteFlowers have a privileged position in the Chinese culture. They have historically served as a significant vehicle of communication. Flowers are an indelible part of the collective consciousness of the Chinese people. One is struck by the abundant presence of flowers when one visits China; and a study of the culture of China reveals the place of flowers in the consciousness of the people. Flowers in China are a language that conveys positive messages and plays a significant role in the day to day life of the common folk.The most significant flower in China is the peony, the country’s national flower. At a higher level, the peony symbolizes prosperity, happiness and peace. At a material level, it represents wealth and rank. Its very fragrance in China is considered heavenly and the flower is believed to be of divine descent.
ReplyDeleteIt is generally agreed that language and culture are closely related . Language can be viewed as a verbal expression of culture. It is used to maintain and convey cultural ties . Language provides us with many of the categories we use for expressing our thoughts , so it is , therefore , natural to assume that our thinking is influenced by the language which we use . The values and customs in the country we grow up in shape the way in which we think to a certain extent . In a group of people whose language has no word for " yellow" , they may as a culture consider yellow and orange objects to be the same color , whereas in English we have different words for these colors . Also , for a society that uses a language in which the word " beautiful " is the same as the word " clean " , it may be difficult to accept the meaning of cleanliness with beauty . So , the culture will influence language .
ReplyDeleteAya Shaaban