Cultural Differences in Language

Question 1

Cultural differences in language (2)

Answer 1

1. Elaborate use of words versus succinct
2. Different levels of formality

Question 2

Elaborate vs. Succinct

Answer 2

-silence is preferred in succinct languages
Ex: Valued in Japan, emphasis on non-verbals
Ex (of elaborate): Arabic is more likely to overelaborate and use strong asserting. For example, when declining another serving of food you would repeat “no” multiple times

Question 3

Level of Formality

Answer 3

-some cultures use more informal language, such as the US and Australia
-Korean uses a more formal language and has six different speech levels with different endings to express varying levels of politeness

Question 4

The rise of the English language

Answer 4

-spoken more than any other language and is used in international diplomacy, the global economy, air traffic control, among many other uses
-the use of language globally is not without its problems: specifically issues arise with translation
Ex: During the Olympics in China a wheelchair-accessible bathroom was marked “deformed person bathroom”