Tasks in class p. 103-102

Spot check p. 102 & Task 2+ p. 103

a. Why is culture important for communication?

Culture is important for communication because it can effect the way another person can receives your message. If you take the text " butterflies" as an example, you will see that the lack of cultural understanding made the two parts misunderstand each other.

b.  Why is the command of English in itself no longer enough for accurate communication?

By knowing a language, you are not automatically aware of the culture in the country but since our generation has been more influenced by the cultural society, we have learned more about different cultures than the generations before us.  Also, by having a command of English, you don´t get to learn about the different English dialects that you can find in the world.

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c. Into what three parts can communication be decided? 

The three parts communication can be divided into are sender, receiver and messenger.

d. What is ethnocentrism?

Ethnocentrism is when you judge other cultures by the values and standards of your own culture.  Another explanation taken from our book Access to Enervation English, says that ethnocentrism means viewing the world as if your culture is the center of the universe from which everything and everyone may be judged.  Being based on ignorance of other cultures and admiration of one´s own culture as the best, can lead to prejudice, fear and sometimes violence.

e. What is cultural relativism? 

in short, cultural relativism is that you are aware of the different cultures, but it dosen´t give you the girth to think that your culture is better than another culture. In other words, every culture has equal right.  Cultural relativism has a message hidden that is found in all the world´s great civilizations - treat others as you would like them to treat you.

Task 2 + - Main ideas

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Use the following terms to discuss the main ideas in this article:
Culture, communication, message-sender - receiver,cultural relativism, ethnocentrism 

Culture -  the knowledge of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts.

Communication - two -way process of reaching a mutual understanding, in which participants not only exchange information, news, ideas and feelings, but also create and share meanings.

message - sender - receiver -  a model of communication showing us three stages of how communication works.

Cultural relativism -  awareness of different cultures and every culture is equal.

Ethnocentrism - the belief that you culture is the best, and other cultures are judged after you values and standards.

DIFFERENT ENGLISH LANGUAGES

English, the former colonial language, is a common language among educated Zambians. At independence in 1964, English was declared the national language. English is the first language of only 2% of Zambians but is the most commonly used second language.

The English spoken in Zambia has some distinctive features, such as the omission of certain object pronouns that would be obligatory in Western English ("Did you reach?"), the simplification of some phrasal verbs ("throw" instead of "throw away"). On the link below is a written text explaining a little bit more about the Zambian language and culture.

 More information about Zambian culture and language:

https://norushinafrica.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/zimbabwean-english/

Facts about Zambian language:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Zambia

Scottish English refers to the variety of English spoken in Scotland.  The main and most formal variety is Scottish Standard English ( SSE).  This way of speaking may be defined as “the characteristic speech of the professional class and the accepted norm in schools.”   Along with distinct pronunciation, grammar, and expressions, Scottish English had distinctive vocabulary, especially connected to Scottish institutes such as the Church of Scotland, local government and the education and legal systems.   

Scottish English can be influenced by varying degrees of Scots.  Many Scots speakers separate Scots and Scottish English as different registers depending on social circumstances. Generally, there is a shift to Scottish English in formal occasions or if we are with individuals of a higher social status.

On the link below you will find more specific differences on the Scottish language like pronunciation, distinction between some word etc.

Facts about Scottish language:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_English