languages in Europe and how to overcome

[Mick Walsh]

Dear Joelle,

You may wish to investigate, if you haven't done so already, the work of
Hofstede and others on cultural characteristics - in particular the
characteristic continuum (my term) of individualism/collectivism.

I am happy to expand further but I could not possibly do justice to
Hofstede's seminal work.  A Google search should reap great rewards.

Regards

Mick

-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Joelle
Lyons Everett
Sent: Tuesday, 15 July 2003 5:06 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: languages in Europe and how to overcome


Artur--

Good for your son, and his American "brother."  My son who speaks
Japanese invited a young (age 14) cousin to be his guest for a few
days--she is studying Japanese after school, and shares his interest in
Japanese anime films (art-film quality animated films).  He let her
watch his film collection, and took her to a Japanese market and a
Japanese book store (where she bought two grammar books and a stack of
comic books), in addition to some time spent kayaking and going to the
aquarium.  He commented to me that if someone her age wanted to speak
another language, he thought he should encourage her!

I know that many languages are spoken in the Netherlands.  Everyone
speaks the official version of Dutch, and often a regional dialect.  In
Maastrich, many adults speak a distinct language quite different from
standard Dutch, which is spoken only in Maastrich, from the time it was
a walled city.  Most know one or two other European languages, and many
speak English.

Here is a question about language and culture that maybe you can answer.
A number of years ago, at a conference, I worked with a group of
Brazilians for an afternoon (with the interpreter they used for the
whole trip and conference).  We did an exercise which begins with each
participant listing ten roles which are important in their life.
Typically a group of Americans will list some combination of
professional roles, family and relationship roles, and things related to
personal interests, such as "painter" or "skier."

I was quite interested to observe that the Brazilians listed only roles
of family and relationships.  I suspect, that this is because family and
interpersonal relationships are far more important in Latin cultures.
But I also wonder if the word which was used to translate "roles,"  (I
think something like "rolas," ) might have a more-specific meaning in
Portugese, so the response might have been shaped by the word that was
used.  What do you think?

Take care,

Joelle

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