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The connections between language and culture
In the past people learning a new language didn't pay much attention to the cultural aspects of the country in question."I've been learning English since I was 7. Nowadays, however, it is much more common for language courses to specifically look at the cultural aspects of a given country when teaching the language.The first few years were really disastrous to me! We -- my brother and I -- had to learn words and grammar rules, which didn't seem to have much sense for us at that time. This is especially important when it comes to communicating in business terms and it can also make it far easier when visiting a foreign country.We completely didn't feel the need to learn English. The fact is that it is no longer good enough to learn a language and then to simply translate what needs to be said directly from English -- it's also important to understand the cultural aspects of a language before it can be used correctly.Everything has changed since I went to the USA for the first time in 1989. The differences in business cultures Business people working in foreign countries will find it far easier to do business successfully if they take the time to learn appropriate languages.I was under great impression of picturesque Great Cannyon, Sonora Desert and by all means, as a little girl I was fascinated by Disneyland As far as my education is concerned, I think that the most important thing to mention is that from the earliest childchood, I've been taught by qualified teachers, either at home or in high school, not to mention the university. Fluency is good to have but is not vital -- the majority of foreigners will simply appreciate the courtesy and effort that has gone into beginning to learn the language.I think that this is of prime importance especially for young learners, as they tend to learn wrong things very easy and later it takes an uphill struggle to eliminate those errors. My teachers focused on all aspects of the language:grammar, vocabulary, oral and written English. It is, after all, a lot easier when a foreign businessman takes some time to learn business English.When I was younger they used to show me what are the best ways to practice a language. Learning a foreign language helps people understand how other cultures work.Nowadays, I now my mind about what to do to learn it most effectively. For example, dealing with certain nationalities can be a lot different than dealing with your own.I watch many films in original version and American programms on TV, I read English books. The Chinese, for example, like to build up long-term relationships, don't like to lose 'face' and find it hard to actually say no.To practice new words I write essays which include new interesting vocabulary. Such exercises help me a lot during oral exams when I have to answer qestions or deliver a speech. So, taking the time to learn the language here makes it far easier to negotiate the 'maybe', 'perhaps' and 'we'll see' culture and to understand what the answers given will actually mean.I could work on vocabulary 24/7, especially on idioms and metaphors, they are my favorite! By all means, I use many exercise books which help me to practice my grammar, yet I'm of the opinion that the most natural way to practice grammar is to talk, write essays etc. mp3 players Another cultural issue that often comes up when learning a foreign language is that regarding women.Of course, you have to know the grammar rules first. In many cultures women are still viewed in a different way to men and may act in a different.All in all, I must admit that I like oral English the most. world of warcraft gold They may not find it easy to work with foreigners -- especially men -- from different cultures.Mabye it's because I'm a quite talkative person. Thanks to this feature, oral exams are usually a piece of cake for me ;-) " . So, for example, in some Eastern business cultures women find it hard to say that they cannot do something -- especially if they are asked to complete a task by a man. wow Again, learning the language here will also give you the cultural awareness to translate the real situation. Conclusion Whether visiting a foreign country for business or pleasure learning about the culture as well as the language will make any visit much more successful. wow gold Another area where US English dominates is international business. Most globally operating companies are based in the US and hence the influence of American English terminology is very strong. wow gold kaufen However, as with any issue, the more you think about it, the more variations you will encounter and it would be impossible to cover them all in one article. That’s why we’ll move on now to the differences between British and American English. wow power leveling Instead of giving you a comprehensive rundown of all imaginable items I’ll limit myself to a small selection of my personal observations.
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