CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

LISTENING

Preview tasks
1. Translate the Key Words.
Key Words: Species, puny, vulnerable, spine, venom, fang, compulsively, lavish,
protruding, bipedal, mammal, armpit, birdwatcher, engross, gesture, posture,
encounter, egalitarian, obscenity, orifice, screw lose, skull, insult, cuckold, with a
pinch of salt, ancestor, conceal, intention, flick, quadrupedal, plodding, intruder,
thrust, clench, fist, urge, facet, evolved, infant, retaliation, primeval, effigy,
indigenous, ward, bizarre, longing, hostility, tell-tale
2. Answer the following questions.
1. What are some things that define a culture? For example, music, language, ...
2. What do you think is interesting about your culture?
3. Do you know much about your own culture?
4. When people from other countries think about your culture, what do they
usually think of?
5. Are there many people of different cultures in your country? Are you friends
with any?
6. Have you ever felt confused by the actions of someone from another culture?
3. Read the preview.
The Human Animal: A Personal View of the Human Species is a BBC nature
documentary series written and presented by Desmond Morris, first transmitted in
the United Kingdom from 27 July 1994. The series was produced in association
with Discovery Channel.
Morris describes it as “A study of human behaviour from a zoological
perspective.” He travels the world, filming the diverse customs and habits of
various regions while suggesting common roots. At the close of episode one,
Morris said: “I’ve sometimes been accused of degrading mankind, of insulting
human dignity, of making man beastly. This surprised me because I like animals,
and I feel proud to call myself one. I’ve never looked down upon them, so to call
human beings animals is not, to me, degrading. It’s simply being honest: putting us
in our place as part of the scheme of nature on the planet Earth”.

Episodes

1. “The Language of the Body”

Gestures: Greetings, Insults, Signals, Gesticulations
Facial Expressions: Stares, Smiles, Tells
2. “The Hunting Ape”
Diet: Fondness for sweets, culinary variety
Evolution: Arboreal vegetarianism, Savannah meat-eating, Cooperative hunting
with weapons, Food preparation, Aquatic ape hypothesis
Vestigial hunting behaviour: Jobs, Sport Hunting, War
3. “The Human Zoo”
Urban Tribalism: Familiarity, Theft, Uniforms, Rituals, Conflict, Social status,
Territory
4. “Biology of Love”
Courtship: Finding partners, Gender signals, Dating, Tie signs, Pair bonding,
Intercourse
5. “The Immortal Genes”
Life cycle: Infant-parent interaction, Baby signals, Child behaviour, Rites of
passage, Cultural indoctrination, fighting aging, grand parenting, Afterlives
6. “Beyond Survival”
Creativity: Body adornment, Architectural embellishments, Vehicles, Art
Artistic progression: Innate scribbling, Realism
Play: Childhood experimentation, Adult inventiveness, Sports, Thrill-seeking,
Symbolic thinking (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Human_Animal_
(TV_series))
4. Watch the video and choose the right answer.
1. Human is called by the speaker as:
a) the naked ape b) the unique ape c) the cleverest ape
2. The speaker is
a) anthropologist b) zoologist c) biologist
3. The secret of studying human is
a) patient observation b) the unique method c) the qualification of the observer
4. Despite all our variations in costume, ritual and believe, biologically we’re all
astonishingly
a) different to one another b) close to one another c) the same
5. The scientist supposed to be called
a) birdwatcher b) ‘humanwatcher’ c) ‘manwatcher’
6. The scientist went to over
a) 70 different countries e b) 16 different countries c) 60 different countries
7. He compared his work with one of
a) textbook makers b) dictionary makers c) encyclopaedia makers
8. It took the scientist … years to finish the work.
a) 6 b) 8 c) 18
9. Hand-shaking is a/an
a) egalitarian act b) worldwide recognizable act c) ancient act
5. Say true or false. Correct the false statement.
1. In France the ring shape made by the hand symbolizes a ‘not’ or a ‘zero’.
2. In Japan screwing with your finger near the temple means he’s crazy.
3. We humans have the most expressive faces in the entire animal kingdom.
4. Smiling is a uniquely human expression that has evolved from the ancient
aggressive face.
5. Smile is used in medicine. By making patients smile and laugh, their
pain levels are reduced. Their happy facial expressions actually release endorphins,
the body’s natural pain killers, into their systems.

6. Answer the following questions.

1. What is “gesture frontier”? Give an example.
2. Do you need to be quite careful in a marketplace in a foreign country? Why?
3. What are the unique features of human according to the video?
4. What is the secret of human’s unprecedented success?
5. What is “poker face”? Are you a good poker player?
6. Why are human beings so much better at signalling with hands than other
animals?
7. Why has smile been a mainstay of commercial advertising for many years?
8. What is the difference between gestures as signals (replacement of speech) and
gesticulation?
SPEAKING
7. Tell the class about the following gestures, their origin and meanings in
different countries.
Hand-shaking, V-sign, goat-sign, head-shaking/ head-tossing, head-wobbling,
thumb up/thumb down.
8. Study the information and watch video about gestures in public speaking
(e.g. 20 hand gestures you should be using by Vanessa Van Edwards
http://www.scienceofpeople.com/2015/08/how-to-speak-with-your-hands/).
Tell the class about anything that is important to you. Try to use these
gestures to be more convincing.
9. Discuss the following.
Quote
“What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.” Ralph Waldo
Emerson, an American essayist, lecturer, and poet (1803–1882).
RELIGIONS AND BELIEFS
1. Answer the following questions.
1. What is religion?
2. Why was it created?
3. What are some religions of the world?
4. What is the most widespread religion in your country?
2. Read the text and write out all the words which are connected with religion.
Write their transcription.
CONNECTING WITH THE DIVINE

The major world religions and their beliefs about God. Hinduism, Buddhism,
Islam, Christianity and New Age...
By Marilyn Adamson

We all want to make it through life with success, some sense that we did it right.
So what about the major world religions? Is there anything in them that might give
our lives greater depth and direction?
The following looks at the major world religions. Hinduism, New Age, Buddhism,
Islam, and Christianity (Each of these religions has sects with differing beliefs. The
description given here focuses on the core beliefs of each religion). There is a brief
description of each, their view of God, and what a person can gain from that
religion.
Hinduism and its beliefs
Most Hindus worship one being of ultimate oneness (Brahman) through infinite
representations of gods and goddesses. These various manifestations of gods and
goddesses become incarnate within idols, temples, gurus, rivers, animals, etc.
Hindus believe their position in this present life was determined by their actions in
a previous life. Hinduism therefore provides a possible explanation for suffering
and evil in this life. If a person’s behaviour before was evil, they might justifiably
experience tremendous hardships in this life. Pain, disease, poverty or a disaster
like a flood is deserved by that person because of their own evil actions, usually
from a previous lifetime. A Hindu’s goal is to become free from the law of
karma...to be free from continuous reincarnations. Only the soul matters which will
one day be free of the cycle of rebirths and be at rest. Hinduism gives a person
freedom to choose how to work toward spiritual perfection. There are three
possible ways to end this cycle of karma:
1. Be lovingly devoted to any of the Hindu gods or goddesses;
2. Grow in knowledge through meditation of Brahman (oneness)...to realize that
circumstances in life are not real, that selfhood is an illusion and only Brahman is
real;
3. Be dedicated to various religious ceremonies and rites.
Buddhism and its beliefs
Buddhists do not worship any gods or God. People outside of Buddhism often
think that Buddhists worship the Buddha. However, the Buddha (Siddhartha
Gautama) never claimed to be divine, but rather he is viewed by Buddhists as
having attained what they are also striving to attain, which is spiritual
enlightenment and, with it, freedom from the continuous cycle of life and death.
Most Buddhists believe a person has countless rebirths, which inevitably include
suffering. A Buddhist seeks to end these rebirths. Buddhists believe it is a person’s
cravings, aversion and delusion that cause these rebirths. Therefore, the goal of a
Buddhist is to purify one’s heart and to let go of all yearnings toward sensual
desires and the attachment to oneself. Buddhists follow a list of religious principles
and very dedicated meditation. When a Buddhist meditates it is not the same as
praying or focusing on a god, it is more of self-discipline. Through practiced
meditation a person may reach Nirvana – “the blowing out” of the flame of desire.
Buddhism provides something that is true of most major religions: disciplines,
values and directives that a person may want to live by.
Islam and its beliefs
Muslims believe there is the one almighty God, named Allah, who is infinitely
superior to and transcendent from humankind. Allah is viewed as the creator of the
universe and the source of all good and all evil. Everything that happens is Allah’s
will. He is a powerful and strict judge, who will be merciful toward followers
depending on the sufficiency of their life’s good works and religious devotion. A
follower’s relationship with Allah is as a servant to Allah. Though a Muslim
honours several prophets, Muhammad is considered the last prophet and his words
and lifestyle are that person’s authority.
To be a Muslim, one has to follow five religious duties:
1. Repeat a creed about Allah and Muhammad;
2. Recite certain prayers in Arabic five times a day;
3. Give to the needy;
4. One month each year, fast from food, drink, sex and smoking from sunrise to
sunset;
5. Pilgrimage once in one’s lifetime to worship at a shrine in Mecca.
At death – based on one’s faithfulness to these duties – a Muslim hopes to enter
Paradise. If not, they will be eternally punished in hell. For many people, Islam
matches their expectations about religion and deity. Islam teaches that there is one
supreme God, who is worshiped through good deeds and disciplined religious
rituals. After death a person is rewarded or punished according to their religious
devotion. Muslims believe that giving up one’s life for Allah is a sure way of
entering Paradise.
Christianity and its beliefs
Christians believe in a loving God who has revealed himself and can be known in a
personal way, in this life. With Jesus Christ, the person’s focus is not on religious
rituals or performing good works, but on enjoying a relationship with God and
growing to know him better. Faith in Jesus Christ himself, not just in his teachings,
is how the Christian experiences joy and a meaningful life. In his life on Earth,
Jesus did not identify himself as a prophet pointing to God or as a teacher of
enlightenment. Rather, Jesus claimed to be God in human form. He performed
miracles, forgave people of their sin and said that anyone who believed in him
would have eternal life. He made statements like, “I am the light of the world; he
who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Christians regard the Bible as God’s written message to humankind. In addition to
being an historical record of Jesus’ life and miracles, the Bible reveals God’s
personality, his love and truth, and how one can have a relationship with him.
Whatever circumstances a Christian is dealing with in their life, the Bible teaches
that they can confidently turn to a wise and powerful God who genuinely loves
them. They believe that God answers prayer and that life takes on meaning as they
live to honour him.
How distinct are these major religions? In looking at these major belief systems
and their views of God, we find tremendous diversity:
• Hindus acknowledge multitudes of gods and goddesses.
• Buddhists say there is no deity.
• Muslims believe in a powerful but unknowable God.
• Christians believe in a God who is loving and approachable.
Judaism and its beliefs
Jews believe that there is a single God who not only created the universe, but with
whom every Jew can have an individual and personal relationship. They believe
that God continues to work in the world, affecting everything that people do. In
exchange for the many good deeds that God has done and continues to do for the
Jewish People...
 The Jews keep God’s laws
 The Jews seek to bring holiness into every aspect of their lives.
Jews believe that God appointed the Jews to be his chosen people in order to set an
example of holiness and ethical behaviour to the world.
Jewish life is very much the life of a community and there are many activities that
Jews must do as a community.
For example, the Jewish prayer book uses WE and OUR in prayers where some
other faiths would use I and MINE.
Jews also feel part of a global community with a close bond Jewish people all over
the world. A lot of Jewish religious life is based around the home and family
activities.
(http://www.leaderu.com/everystudent/religions/divine/divine.html)
3. Fill in the table using the text above and other resources.
 Meaning of
Gods

Texts
Symbol

Number of
Religion

adherents

branches

Afterlife
adherents
Name of

Major

life
4. Work in pairs. Discuss the following questions.
RELIGION DISCUSSION

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1) What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘religion’?
2) What does religion mean to you?
3) Is religion always a good thing?
4) With all the religions in the world, how do we know which one is best or true?
5) Do people choose their religion or do people’s parents choose it?
6) If religion is all about love and peace, why are many of the world’s conflicts
and wars caused by religion?
7) If religion teaches us that all men and women are equal and we must love
everyone the same, why is there so much racism?
8) Do you like talking about religion?
9) What do you think of the argument that religion is really modern-day
superstition?
10) What would the world be like without religion?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1) Why do you practice your religion (or why don’t you have a religion)?
2) How does religion give hope to so many people?
3) Do you think people will eventually stop believing in religion?
4) What do you think of new religions?
5) Do people who follow a religion have a better time than those who don’t?
6) Do you think religion always fits our modern-day world?
7) What would Jesus, Mohamed and Buddha think of our world today?
8) Do you think there’ll ever be a single world religion?
9) Money is more important than religion and shopping malls are more popular
than places of worship. What do you think about this?
10) How did religion start?
5. Study the information on http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zcnm82p and conduct
your own social survey. You are to ask the question “Do you believe the world
would be more peaceful without religion?” at least 5 people. Summarize the
main results of the survey. Share them with the class.
WRITING
6. Do the following task.
The infographic below deals with Religious Belief and National Belonging in
Central and Eastern Europe.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make
comparisons where relevant. Choose one or more pictures.

Write at least 150 words.

You may start your answer with the following.

Roughly a quarter of a century after the fall of the Iron Curtain and subsequent
collapse of the Soviet Union, a major new Pew Research Centre survey finds that
religion has reasserted itself as an important part of individual and national
identity in many of the Central and Eastern European countries where communist
regimes once repressed religious worship and promoted atheism.
(http://www.pewforum.org/2017/05/10/religious-belief-and-national-belonging-in-
central-and-eastern-europe/)
STEREOTYPES AND PREJUDICES
1. Answer the following questions.
1. How is your country stereotyped?
2. Do you stereotype people?
3. Does stereotyping help you in some way?
4. Why do you think people stereotype?
5. How can stereotypes be damaging?
6. How are various nationalities stereotyped?
7. How can being stereotyped hurt your job opportunities?
8. What is the difference between stereotypes and prejudices?
9. Are stereotypes offensive?
2. Read the text.
You are Not Your Country: Top 10 National Stereotypes

Heaven is where the cooks are French, the police are British, the mechanics are
German, the lovers are Italian and everything is organized by the Swiss.
Hell is where the cooks are British, the police are German, the mechanics are
French, the lovers are Swiss, and everything is organized by the Italians.

This is an old popular joke that never fails to make those who hear it cringe or
laugh. National stereotypes have been the subject of many jokes for centuries.
Even today when the international community promotes diversity and encourages
tolerance, certain people are still tagged according to their nationalities.
To some, national stereotypes may provoke racism. To others, national stereotypes
are harmless jokes based on the identity that a certain nation or people has
established or projected towards other countries through the years.
But is there a sliver of truth in these national stereotypes? Or are they just
inaccurate preconceived notions, which can be pretty offensive to many people?
Whatever your views are, here are ten of the most common national stereotypes
and why they are somehow false. Note that these are stereotypes based on
nationalities and not race.
10. Italians are good lovers but bad workers.
The Italians are known for three P’s: pizza, pasta and passion. Who wouldn’t want
that kind of reputation as a people? However, it doesn’t end there. Italy is also seen
by others as the land of the inefficient and the disorganized.
This preconceived notion is truly unfair to the Italians. If they were such bad
workers who could only spend the entire day at a restaurant, make love, or exact
revenge Mafia-style, how could they keep their gigantic textile, chemical and
engineering industries going?
Aside from that, the Italians run and organize everything in Italy, which, by
anyone’s standards, is one of the most glorious nations in the world. Italy takes
pride in its great cuisine, fantastic culture and fine architecture. If they were such
an inefficient people, how come Italy’s history is littered with splendid
achievements?
9. Canadians are boring.
Those who say that Canadians are boring are probably the same people who think
that the Canadian capital is Toronto, that the Canadian culture is based around
Celine Dion, and that Canadians live in igloos.
The truth is the climate is not the only thing that is cooler in this country. Canada
offers a wide range of exciting activities such as snowboarding, kayaking and
many other sports for the adventurous. You’ll also not run out of reasons to laugh
in this more-than-maple country. After all, many comedians in Hollywood are
Canadians – Mike Myers, John Candy, Matthew Perry, Eugene Levy and Jim
Carrey among others. Their names hardly sound boring, don’t they?
8. Filipinos are uneducated island people.
In early 2007, someone asked this question on Yahoo! Answers:
Where is the best Architecture school in the Philippines?
Hmmm. Interesting. But you know what’s more interesting – the one and only
answer. Okay, Breathe in… breathe out…
Janjararaaaaan, the answer:
“I don’t think they have any schools in Philippines, it’s a 3rd world country they
live in poverty with no running water. It’s sort of like Africa but like a jungle.”
Hey, hey, hey. Whaaaaat?!?!? Good thing the page is now closed.
Many people also hold a misconception that Filipinos are uneducated. Again,
what they don’t realize is that the people who answer their calls and tell what to do
because they can’t figure out how remote control works are actually Filipinos. The
Philippines is the world’s texting capital and Asia’s blogging capital.
And trust me; there are lawyers, doctors, writers, businessmen and engineers here
in the Philippines. And oh, architects, too.
7. Indians are poor, narrow-minded, conservative people.
India has a long history of slavery; thus, this type of stereotype doesn’t really come
as a surprise. Even so, it is still inaccurate. Although a significant fraction of the
Indian population is still below poverty line, India has improved drastically in
recent years. In fact, it is one of the fastest growing economies in the world,
viewed as a potential superpower.
Moreover, it is also one of the countries with leading software industries as well as
a prolific film industry. It is also the largest democracy in the world. Not to
mention that with a variety of religions – Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and
Christianity among others – all of which survive in tolerance. Is that what anyone
could call narrow-minded?
6. The British are violently mad soccer freaks.
They say that British men love football more than they love their wives. Although
their affection towards their partners may be very hard to prove, their supposedly
extreme zeal for soccer doesn’t need to be measured. The Brits love soccer. It is
obvious. What should be debunked is the idea that they would always get into
trouble for this almost romantic love for the ball.
If the Brits are violently crazy over their favourite soccer team, how come,
according to The Economist, it is Sweden where there are more soccer-related
assaults each year? If there’s one reputation that the Brits should earn, it’s that
they are a business-crazy people. After all, the London Stock Market is bigger than
any other European market and is one of the world’s largest.
5. Spaniards are lazy.
Siesta is a well-known part of the Spanish culture. But is it enough to conclude that
the entire Spanish people’s deadly sin is sloth? If indolence could be measured,
wouldn’t it be by looking at the output or product?
In other words, a people’s assiduity and laziness should reflect on the country’s
economic performance. But if that’s the case, then it is Germany, and not Spain,
that could be dubbed as the lazy man of Europe. Germany has been showing
disgraceful economic performance in the past few years. Germany’s GDP growth
is only a little over 1%. Spain, on the other hand, is growing at a rate twice higher,
with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. (Figures not updated, sorry.)
4. The Irish are drunkards.
In many movies, we have seen the Irish being portrayed as those ill-tempered
drunkards who love to have some cheerful bantering in their spare time, which is
every time. In fact, many of us think of Ireland when we hear the word “pub.”
However, if they were so addicted to alcohol like pop culture shows, how come
Ireland is the best performing economy in Europe with a fast-paced 7.7% growth
rate? Not to mention that its highly educated population attracts massive numbers
of pharmaceutical, hi-tech and financial services companies, despite fierce
competition for jobs within the EU.
And how come Ireland ranks only third in a 2004 survey by World Drink Trends,
behind Luxembourg and Hungary? Okay, I know it’s still high, but…
3. Americans are very liberal.
Outsiders usually have a very defined vision about the Americans – liberal. In
general, many see the United States as the land of the open-minded. But is
America really home to the world’s most socially liberal society in the world? The
answer is a big “no.”
Americans are a little too conservative. Virtually every country in Europe has a
much more open and liberal view of things such as sex and other social relations.
For example, in many parts of Europe, nudity is not taboo. You may find naked
people at some random European beach or hotel pool. If someone takes off all his
clothes in the US, he’ll be making a big scene.
Surprisingly, gay marriage was illegal in America and allowed in some provinces
of Canada, a nation that some see as boring.
2. The Chinese eat anything that moves.
They say that the Chinese can eat anything with four legs, except tables; anything
on water, except boats; and anything that flies, except airplanes. Although Bruce
Lee’s lot actually has a diverse range of foods to choose from, saying that the
Chinese eats anything is a downright hasty generalization.
What many fail to realize is that every culture has its own food taboos. Some
Asians find eating rabbits gross but it’s normal to Westerners. Moreover, for a
culture as diverse as the Chinese, it can be very hard to group over 1 billion people
and say that they ALL eat a certain “exotic” food. While some Chinese eat dogs,
some don’t. Some like eating meat; some are Buddhist vegetarians. Some find
cheese distasteful, but you’ll find cheese shops in some streets of Beijing and
Shanghai. Besides, if people really don’t trust the taste of the Chinese people, how
come Chinese food is so popular all around the world?
1. The French are arrogant.
“Never trust the French,” they say. When it comes to national stereotypes, the
French suffer the most. Only the French think that they are not arrogant. Outside
France, ask any random guy who the chestiest people are and they are likely to
include the French with a passion.
However, do they really think highly of themselves to the point that they get the ire
of foreign nationals? One argument that is often mentioned is that an average
Frenchman does not smile at strangers. The truth is, it doesn’t mean that they are
rude. It’s just not part of their culture. Unlike others who wear a smile all day, the
French do not show emotions that they do not feel. No one is required to smile in
France and it has nothing to do with being polite or rude.
Moreover, if the French are so drowned in their mightiness, how come they are
humble enough to donate to countries in need more than any other European
nation? According to “The Economist,” France is the third largest aid donor in the
world, after the US and Japan. That is hardly what anyone would call “arrogant.”
Perhaps it’s about time that we stop perpetrating unfounded myths about other
people and accept that mankind is a mixture of fine, unique individuals with
different ways of living life. We should avoid branding a certain nationality with a
negative notion for it can be offensive and dangerous. But maybe for some of us,
they are stereotypes for a reason. Maybe there’s some truth in it. Maybe it applies
to some people. But the problem with stereotypes is that they tend to generalize.
And remember that a person is judged not according to his race and definitely not
his nationality. HUMANITY IS DEFINED BY HOW GOOD WE HAVE
BEEN TO OURSELVES AND OTHER PEOPLE, NOT BY THE COUNTRY
WE LIVE IN.
(http://www.nationalstereotype.com/you-are-not-your-country-top-10-national-
stereotypes/)
3. Retell the text.
4. Write down the words in bold type, translate and make up your own
sentences with them.
5. Write an essay on one of the given topic:
1. “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” – Winston Churchill (a
British politician and statesman; 1874–1965).
2. “Respect for the rights of others means peace.” – Benito Juarez (Mexican past
President and national hero; 1806–1872).
3. “No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive.” – Mahatma Gandhi (Non-
violent leader of Indian independence; 1969–1948).
4. “Preservation of one’s own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for
other cultures.” – Cesar Chavez (American Activist and Labour Organizer.
Founder of the National Farm Workers Association; 1927–1993).
5. “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” –
Albert Einstein (a German-born theoretical physicist; 1879–1955).
6. “Our cultural strength has always been derived from our diversity of
understanding and experience.” – Yo-Yo Ma (a French-born Chinese American
cellist, 1955–).
6. Find stereotypes and prejudices about any nationality you consider
interesting. Tell the class about them. Get ready to ask questions for
comprehension check.
CHALLENGES TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
1. Read and translate the key words.
Key Words: locality, tribe, identity, diversity, enrichment, community, reinforce,
encounter, liability, eliminate, penetrate, shift, reject, preserve, intrinsically,
unavoidable, wipe out, maintain
2. Read the text.

Global Communications and Cultural Identity: Challenges and Opportunities

(abridged)
Secretary-General, Department of Tourism, Post and Telecommunication,
Indonesia
Mr Jonathan Parapak
1. A World of Diversity
Our world is a world of diversity. For many centuries the peoples of the world
were separated by mountains and seas. They rarely saw each other; their lives were
practically unrelated. They developed and lived their own unique cultures. People
in a particular locality developed their own particular way of life, their own
language, their religion and thus became known as a tribe, an ethnic group or a
particular group of people who established a nation of their own.
The world, although one world, was and is inhabited by diverse populations, each
with their own identity, physical, spiritual and cultural uniqueness. Indeed this
world has always been a world of diversity. There is no reason to be ashamed or
frightened of diversity. Indeed diversity can become a source of strength and
enrichment.
The invention and development of new technologies have been and continue to be
instrumental in changing the way we live, the way we communicate, the way we
respond to our environment, the way we express our thoughts, our ideas. In short
technology has influenced the dynamic development of our cultural identities.
During the early days of human civilization, direct, mainly verbal communication
using a particular language was one of the elements of our cultural identity. The
circle of influence was very limited, very much dependent on the physical
environment accessible by simple technology. The development of transportation
and communication technologies enlarges the circle of encounters, influence and
interdependence.
Columbus discovered America, Cook sailed to Australia. New communities were
established because of new access through technology. The invention of radio and
telephone technology just over 100 years ago made possible inter-cultural
communications through long-distance media. Radio and television broadcasting
have reinforced and globalised our intercultural encounters, communications,
inter-influence, interdependence and interrelationship. Now we are truly
globalised. Through transportation, trade, tourism and telecommunications, we can
access a global market; we can meet with almost anyone on this planet Earth; we
have the facilities to instantly see and follow any event around the world.
Is diversity a liability? Is it not the main ingredient of an interesting life? In some
ways technology has united the world and mankind. But technology has not
eliminated our diversity.
2. Global Communications, Global Culture and Cultural Identity
Many people are concerned or even frightened by the so-called global culture
brought about by global communications. Many people say that a global culture
has penetrated every aspect of our lives. Most of us wear blue jeans. Most of us, I
expect, have eaten McDonald hamburgers. Most of us have watched Hollywood
films. Many of us sing or at least listen to the Top Ten. Most of us watch world
news broadcast every day. Why are we influenced so much by events in other
countries? By fashions developed thousands of miles away, by songs sung by
people we do not even know? The answer is that communications, broadcasting are
powerful media which are influencing us every day.
Many nations, societies, peoples are concerned about the profound influence of
global communications and broadcasting. They are concerned about the shifting of
value systems, change of religious beliefs, and loss of cultural identity.
The fundamental questions are:
 “Must we protect our cultural identities?”
 “Must we reject anything that is foreign?”
 “How do we preserve our cultural identities?”
 “Which elements of cultural identity?”
Several examples have been quoted by experts. They say, “Look at Japan, very
modern, but still maintaining her cultural identity.” Many say “Look at Bali,
flooded by millions of tourists every year, but Bali remains Bali.” Are Bali and
Japan exceptions?
Must we search for ways and systems of entering the global communications era
while maintaining our cultural identities?
I personally believe that we have reached a point of no return. We can no longer
establish an iron curtain around us. We have to accept that global communications
will become even more powerful in potentially influencing our cultural identity. It
is up to each one of us to critically look at what we wish to preserve as our
cultural identity. Cultural identity is normally lined with geographical
environment, historical developments, language, technological development, social
groupings and organisation, stages of education, science and technology, working
environment, value systems, religion and artistic expressions. Examination of these
elements tells us that most, if not all of them are dynamic in nature. We must
therefore conclude that cultural identities are intrinsically dynamic and thus
subject to influence by external elements. This means that we must also accept that
Global Communications with information of global developments due to the
progress of science and technology will impact, influence and change some of the
elements of our cultural identities. Our concern should be whether the impact or
change is positive or negative. Accepting that changes are unavoidable does not
mean that we will allow everything to be wiped out, destroyed or forgotten. It is
our duty to critically examine the elements which we must preserve, which will be
maintained as our specific cultural identities, of which we can be proud.
Some of us would fight hard to protect our value systems, our religious systems,
some forms of artistic expression, but at the same time would have no problem in
accepting changes relating to technology, the way we work, the way we interact
and the way we organise our society. The challenge is thus to develop our criteria
for selecting which elements are important to preserve and which can be renewed
or replaced and also the mechanism we need to employ to ensure the attainment of
the desired results.
Most cultures have adopted religious systems, political and legal systems as
methods of preservation. Promotion of cultural appreciation, which will help us
preserve some of that cultural identity we value, also needs our attention.
3. Vision for the 21st Century
The beginning of the 21st century shows that the linking of our world through
global communications is nearly completed. Our world is circled by
Superhighways of Information. Our skies are loaded with satellites for
broadcasting our communication. Interconnectivity, potential encounters, exchange
of information, TV, scientific and cultural programs should be easy
Does this mean that our world will become one world, integrated and united
economically and politically, harmonised culturally? I do not believe this will be
the case.
The observation of John Naisbitt in his book “Megatrends 2000” says “The more
homogeneous our lifestyles become, the more steadfastly we cling to deeper values
religion, language, art and literature. As our outer worlds grow more similar, we
will increasingly treasure the traditions that spring from within.” This summarises
for us the point in question.
In some ways we will be more and more globalised in our lifestyle, business,
factories, music, fashion, fast food. However the inner elements, the
fundamentals of language, philosophy, religion and value systems will remain
in diversity.
However, as President Soeharto has stated: “Let these differences unite us ... like
the harmonious beauty of a multi-coloured rainbow”.
Global communications will improve our ability to share our diverse cultures,
diverse opinions, our diverse value systems, our diverse knowledge. One thing
is sure: “Our diversity” will remain with us. Maybe the national motto of
Indonesia, “Unity in Diversity”, can serve as a shining light for the future
ahead.
(https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/settlement-and-multicultural-
affairs/programs-policy/a-multicultural-australia/programs-and-
publications/1995-global-cultural-diversity-conference-proceedings-
sydney/cultural-diversity-the-media-markets-and-mobility/global)
2. Match the word with its definition.
1) locality a) Refuse to agree to (a
request).
2) tribe b) Maintain (something) in its
original or existing state.
3) identity c) A group of people living in
the same place or having a
particular characteristic in
common.
4) diversity d) To destroy or be destroyed
completely.
5) enrichment e) Strengthen or support.
6) community f) The fact of being whom or
what a person or thing is.
7) reinforce g) The action of improving or
enhancing the quality or
value of something.
8) encounter h) In an essential or natural
way.
9) liability i) Not able to be avoided,
prevented, or ignored;
inevitable.
10) eliminate j) Go into or through
(something), especially with
force or effort. Succeed in
understanding or gaining
insight into (something
complex or mysterious).
11) penetrate k) Completely remove or get rid
of (something).
12) shift l) Cause or enable (a condition
or situation) to continue.
Provide with necessities for
life or existence.
13) reject m) The position or site of
something.  An area or
neighbourhood.
14) preserve n) A social division in a
traditional society consisting
of families or communities
linked by social, economic,
religious, or blood ties, with
a common culture and
dialect, typically having a
recognized leader.
15) intrinsically o) An unexpected or casual
meeting with someone or
something.  A confrontation
or unpleasant struggle.
16) unavoidable p) The state of being legally
responsible for something.
17) wipe out q) A range of different things.
The state of being diverse.
18) maintain r) Move or cause to move from
one place to another,
especially over a small
distance.
3. Fill in the blanks with a proper key word.
1. But as the industrial towns doubled and redoubled in size, the need for action to
provide open spaces and to … existing commons became obvious. 2. There is,
however, enough money available to … and preserve the mill in good working
order. 3. Strict control should be … to ensure as far as possible the safety of men
and women. 4. Some say Mortimer … on more waves than he makes. 5. Drivers
will face … delays while work is carried out on a new roundabout in Witham. 6.
Today’s wars might seem … or necessary, but they no longer seem good. 7. We
changed the law administratively, not …. 8. In many provinces and … Hindus are
in a minority. 9. Local residents should be involved in the regular maintenance of
the parks in their …. 10. The Apache … are federally recognized …. 11. The area
now called England was occupied by many European cultures and …. 12. He
initially gave a false name, but then revealed his true … and the fact that he was
banned from driving and had no insurance. 13. The museum celebrates the rich
cultural … of the Auckland region and its peoples. 14. We’ve been conditioned to
expect music for free, to our great cultural …. 15. She called for the Asian and
white … to pull together and support her.
4. Translate the sentences from English into Russian. Pay attention to the key
words in bold type.
1. Claims that Manchester is becoming a segregated society – in which white,
black and Asian communities are living separate lives – have been dismissed. 2.
The business community has expressed interest in the project, Mullen said. 3. She
said the educational system reinforces the idea that there is only one right answer,
stifling creativity. 4. Students can also start and stop the presentation at any point
and repeat slides to reinforce material. 5. Consumerism is reinforced by media,
films, the corporate invasion of the classroom, and by governments whose taxes
and policies depend on it. 6. My first brief encounter with the film was at a very
young age. 7. I recalled my recent encounter with the stranger, and my eyes
narrowed. 8. The vast majority die of old age, disease or unexpected encounters
with cars. 9. The bank’s liability in such cases is discussed in Chapter 12. 10. If we
could eliminate stress, would we eliminate a lot of disease? 11. Comprehension
and parallel understanding can and do penetrate from one means of
communication to another. 12. But the darker voice was penetrating her skull,
resounding in the caverns of memories. 13. The train shifted and began moving,
silent, except for the hum of the generators that kept the lights going. 14. I never
even thought about asking why or rejecting her request. 15. These monasteries
preserved the cultural riches of Greece and Rome, as well as the growing wisdom
accumulated by the Church herself. 16. Nevertheless, it was unavoidable, and
apparently produced despair in the members of the workshop. 17. These artists
looked to Native American art for an intrinsically American pictorial inheritance.
18. In retirement he remained very interested in events and will be sadly missed by
his friends in the locality. 19. These hill tribes have faced economic difficulties
related to their lack of land rights. 20. The brief argued against the idea that racial
diversity on a campus is linked to positive educational outcomes.
5. Translate from Russian into English using key words.
1. И я приложу все усилия к тому, чтобы поддерживать такую атмосферу.
2. Без международного сотрудничества ни одно государство не в состоянии
самостоятельно поддерживать свою безопасность. 3. Возможно, я смогу
проникнуть в компьютер их системы безопасности. 4. Они могут проникать в
глубь океанического дна на 30 см и более. 5. Выходя замуж, женщина
вступает в племя мужа. 6. Каждое племя, как правило, имеет свой язык,
культуру и племенную политико-управленческую систему. 7. Мы надеемся,
что она также позволит укрепить взаимодействие между организациями,
базирующимися в Вене. 8. Эмили, а вдруг это та самая романтическая
встреча, которую предсказывал твой гороскоп. 9. Мы сталкиваемся с
нарушением прав человека, а также с долгосрочным вынужденным
перемещением населения и нищетой. 10. Они отвергают терпимость и
разнообразие – ценности, которые имеют важнейшее значение для всех
цивилизаций. 11. Однако имеются значительные различия, в том, что
касается языка и культуры. 12. Каждый населенный пункт определил свои
потребности. 13. Организация определила местность Санге как пункт для
создания «острова стабильности». 14. Только за счет оказания помощи
нищету не ликвидировать. 15. Во-вторых, мы должны сократить и, в
конечном счете, ликвидировать, чрезмерную ловлю рыбы и пагубные виды
промысловой практики. 16. Правовая ответственность сотрудников за
незаконные действия в отношении лиц, содержащихся под стражей, и
осужденных. 17. Он воплощает собой палестинскую самобытность и чаяния
своего народа. 18. К их числу относились удостоверения личности и
регистрационные формы. 19. Глобализация – это продолжающийся и
неизбежный процесс. 20. Оружие массового уничтожения может стереть с
лица земли целые города и народы.
6. Find synonyms to the key words.
7. Discuss the following questions.
1. What is globalisation?
2. What are the pros and cons of globalisation?
3. Why do you think so many people oppose it?
4. Do you think it would be a good idea if all barriers to trade were removed from
the world and people could freely export and import without customs duties or any
other problems? What impact would such a change have?
5. Do you think it would be a good idea if people could live and work in any
country they liked without restriction? What impact would such a change have?
6. How much cheaper do you think goods are to produce in a developing country
than in a developed country? Why do you think this is?
7. Is “globalization” another word for Americanization?
8. Do well-off peoples have to give up advantages and luxuries for the benefit of
the global poor?
9. What practical challenges and constraints do states and individuals face in
responding to their global moral duties?
10. National Identity A Question of Choice?
8. Respond to the following quotes in a written form.
1. “It has been said that arguing against globalization is like arguing against the
laws of gravity.” (Kofi Annan)
2. “Globalization is a fact of life. But I believe we have underestimated its
fragility.” (Kofi Annan)
3. “Our task is not to make societies safe for globalization, but to make the global
system safe for decent societies.” (John J. Sweeney)
9. Read the following information about global challenges and make a
presentation covering one of the problems, its modern state, variants of
solving.
GLOBAL CHALLENGES
What are global challenges?
‘Global challenges’ are defined as any major trend, shock, or development that has
the potential for serious global impacts and thus to create humanitarian needs and
change the environments in which humanitarian actors will operate in coming
years. Below is a non-exhaustive list of global challenges has been identified:
1. Extreme poverty and inequality;
2. Financial and economic crisis;
3. Food crisis;
4. Migration;
5. Population growth and demographic shift;
6. Urbanization;
7. Health pandemics and infectious diseases.