Republic of the Philippines

CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES

Nabua, Camarines Sur

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

TASK 1. Watch an episode of a foreign show on YouTube. What new things did you learn
or gain from watching it? (Culture, Language etc.) Please provide the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xerrjjAyZs8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r172Mb8h5Zw
In the episode that I watched, there are 5 kids who talk different languages and
culture, and I learned some words such as:
1. In Korea, there is a bow they do when New Year wherein they would ask for money
which signifies good luck throughout the year
2. In Kenya there is a traditional food known as ugali and Samaki which are made
particularly by a tribe named Luo tribe. Ugali is made of maize flour and also white
corn meal
3. In Chinese, instead of ‘Hello’ they say “Ni Hao” when greeting other people
4. In Taiwan there is a traditional dance which is about a dragon which symbolizes
power, strength, and good luck for people who are worthy of it in East Asian culture
5. In Korean, instead of “Hello” they say “Annyeong” and “Haseyo” means “do it”
6. In Korean, “saranghae” means “I love you”
TASK 2. Find videos about the following topics on YouTube. Compare the gestures in
your own country with those in other countries and assess if the meanings are similar or
different. Please also provide the link below
Gestures in Different Cultures
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtmIaQAZOOo
1. In other countries such as France, making a circle with your index finger and your
thumb means zero or worthless, while in the Philippines making this as gesture
means good or okay. -Same gesture, different meaning
2. In parts of Italy, West Africa, Iran, and Greece giving a thumbs up is an offensive
gesture. While in Philippine giving thumbs up means okay and it’s an expression
of your liking towards something that everything is good. - Same gesture, different
meaning
3. In Malaysia when getting a ride, you must stick your thumb out for a ride, while in
the Philippines we do it with our whole hand as if asking someone to come over
you. – Different gesture, same meaning
4. In UK, Australia, or New Zealand doing the peace sign with the back of your hand
in a wrong way is a very offensive hand signal, while in the Philippine both ways
are all fine in showing peace sign. - Same gesture, different meaning
5. In some East Asian country such as Korea, China, and Japan, giving a deeper
bow is giving more respect to other people. While in the Philippines, we don’t
usually give a bow to give respect, instead we just talk formally, doing the mano,
and saying ‘po and opo’. – Different gesture, same meaning
6. Using index finger to point it to someone in China, Japan, and Indonesia it is
inappropriate and rude. In the Philippines it is also inappropriate since the gesture
might be taken as you are pointing someone out to blame or insult the one you are
pointing at. – Same gesture, same meaning
7. In Fiji when greeting other or new people, handshakes must last for a little longer
and is considered rude if you pull your hand away too quickly. While in the
Philippines when greeting new people especially in a formal way you may have
handshakes, but it doesn’t have to last long, and it’s okay to pull away your hand
quickly. - Same gesture, different meaning
8. In India you must put your hands together in a chest level and say ‘namaste’ when
greeting to someone. While in the Philippines, simply nodding means
acknowledging already someone and already a gesture of greeting. – Different
gesture, same meaning
9. In Finland, having the arms crossed means major disrespect which signifies
arrogancy and defiance. While in the Philippines, it is a normal hand gesture we
do when we are bored, waiting to someone etc. – Same gesture, different meaning
10. In Thailand patting someone on head can be seen as a serious offense since head
for them is a sacred part. While in the Philippines, patting someone on head seems
like complimenting someone for his/her achievement, and also it is a gesture
commonly seen doing by friends. – Same gesture, different meaning
English Conversation: The Meaning of Hand Gestures
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY_xiGadcgk
1. Knock on wood- In English conversation when saying something that is good, they
knock on wood in order not to jinx it. In the Philippine we also do the same thing.
– Same hand gesture, same meaning
2. Quotes- In English conversation, doing the quote with your hand in a sarcastic tone
means someone said it but you do not believe it. In the Philippines we also do the
quote hand gesture which have the same meaning as it is in the English
conversation
3. Crazy- In English conversation when saying someone is crazy one does point his
index finger in the level of the ears and move it in circular motion. It has the same
gesture as well as meaning in the Philippines
4. Finger crossed- In English conversation fingers crossed means hoping something
happens. It has the same hand gesture as well as meaning in the Philippines
5. Ok/nice work- making a circle and doing the thumbs up in English conversation
means something has done well. It has the same gesture and meaning in the
Philippines.
6. Pointing the middle finger (fuck you)- in English conversation it is impolite to raise
the middle finger which means up yours or fuck you. It is also rude when this is
done in the Philippines. – Same gesture, same meaning
7. Money- in English conversation asking for money is taking the hands together and
rubbing them against each other. In the Philippines, we just lend our palm to
whomever we are asking the money from.
8. Come here- in some western culture when asking someone to come over you,
hand must be in an upward position. While in the Philippines we normally do it
facing the hand down. -Different gesture, same meaning
9. I don’t know- In English conversation saying “I don’t know” is accompanied by
shrugging the shoulder. In the Philippines, we also do the same thing, but we also
do it with our heads by facing it down. – same gesture, same meaning
10. Please/I beg you- in English conversation saying “please” is also being done with
placing hands together which is also a hand gesture in the Philippines when
begging. -Same gesture, same meaning.