Chapter 1.

2
Cultural Aspects
What makes a Culture?

The first type,

Culture is made up of
There are two basic called ‘nonmaterial’ culture,
symbols, language, beliefs,
components of culture: includes the values, beliefs,
values, and artefacts that are
ideas and symbols. symbols, and language that
part of any society.
define a society.

The second type,

called ‘material’ culture,
includes all the society’s physical In this lesson we will look at
objects, such as its tools and both types ‘nonmaterial’ and
technology, clothing, eating ‘material’ in more detail.
utensils, and means of
transportation – (artefacts).
 Every culture is filled with symbols.
Symbols create reactions and emotions.
Symbols can be material or non-material.
Example: A nonverbal symbol is shaking hands, which is done in some
cultures but not in others.
It is usually used as a sign of both greeting and departure.
All cultures have different symbols to show emotion.

Non-material: Example: A nonverbal symbol (Can you think of any? What symbols do you
have in your culture?)

Symbols Same symbol – different meaning. However, the same gesture can mean one
thing in one culture and something different in another.
Example: In many cultures nodding your head up and down, means yes, and
shaking your head side to side means no. However, if you go to Bulgaria, in
Europe, nodding means no, while shaking side to side means yes! 

This type of symbol is ‘non-material’ it is a body action (shaking hands,

nodding head). But there are many symbols which are material. Can you think
of any?
 Material symbols
Some of our most important symbols are objects.
For example, a country’s flag or a national anthem (a song that
represents the country’s identity)
We often see both symbols shown at international events, such as
the Olympic games, international meetings (United Nations)
When you see your national flag or hear your country’s anthem –
how does it make you feel? What word/s would you use to describe
this feeling?

However, these types of symbols can also be items that are used for
hatred.

For example, on the news, often we see when countries are in conflict,
they burn the flag of the opposing country.
 Language
One of the most important set of symbols is language.

In English, the word chair means something we sit on. In Spanish, the word silla means the same thing.

1. The language: different cultures have different languages – words to communicate .

For example, if you travel to another country and don’t know the language, how do I communicate and ask for help? There are ways to do
this, showing on a map, using a voice app on the phone. But you can see how important language is for communication, especially when we
want to ask or understand important information.

2. Pronunciation: even in the same language is used – often pronunciation can be different )

Example: How do you say these words in English?

tomato [tom-ay-toe]] [tom-ar-toe] jewerly [ joo–uhl-ree ] [ jool-ree] Leisure [le-sure] [lee-sure]

Can you think of any other words?

 The meaning of the word/phrase. When we take word and put in into a different culture
(either through translation or the same) the meaning of the words changes.
For example:
The word ‘kiss’ in the UK/USA this word is a ‘verb’ which is an action you do to show
affection. However, if I said this word in Sweden it means to go to the toilet – literal
translation ‘pee’.
Many meanings.

Meanings of
Often a country will have lots of terms for the same word - if that word (object, thing) is
important in that culture. (Symbol)

words
For example, in the UK drinking tea is a cultural activity. At home and at work around
2-3pm every day it is considered time to have an afternoon cup of tea. So ,the word
‘tea’ for this activity as a few different terms attached to it. You may hear people saying
the following:
● It’s time for a cup of tea
● It’s time for a cuppa
● It’s time for an afternoon brew
● Or, even if someone just says ‘shall I put the kettle on’ everyone knows what this
means.

Do you have any important words/phrases in your culture?

 Using words in other
ways
From the previous example, you can see that some
words in cultures have a strong meaning. Because of
this, these words also are used in other ways - to make
phrases and cultural sayings. Again, let’s take the word
‘tea’ and look at the phrases and sayings.

Can you think of any words that are used in this way in
your own culture?
Cultural norms
Cultural norms means - the accepted behaviour in the culture.
For example: Showing affection in public (PDA). Is this OK in your culture or not?
Cultures differ widely in their norms, or standards and expectations for behaving.
For example: Is it OK to talk or read messages during a meeting? For some the answer is
yet. However, be careful, as in other cultures this is seen as bad etiquette. In other words,
bad behaviour.

Two types of norms:

Formal norms: Mores and Laws - these are considered the most important in any culture.
They include:
Traffic laws, criminal laws, student behaviour, religious laws.
Informal norms: also known as customs are behaviours that are considered less important
but influence our behaviour. They include:
Table manners, waiting for a train, taking on phone in public places, taking your shoes off,
etc.

What are some formal norms in your culture? What are some informal norms in your culture?
Take time to read some examples of cultural norms in your workbook pages 10-11.
 Rituals
Rituals are ceremonies and events that are performed in cultures. Many are established to show a life
event.
For example, turning from a child to an adult, getting married.

Some more examples:

In Mexico quince, the celebration of a girl's 15th birthday, marking her passage from girlhood to
womanhood;

Vanuatu, a small island nation in the middle of the South Pacific, young boys come of age by jumping
off of a 98-foot-tall tower with a bungee-like vine tied to their ankles, just barely preventing them from
hitting the ground.

These two examples are known as ‘coming of age’ rituals. But we have rituals for many different
important events in the culture. These can include graduation, marriage, etc.

Changing norms and beliefs.

• Norms change over time within a given culture.

• Two obvious examples here are hairstyles and clothing styles.

• More important topics on which norms have changed for example are abortion and birth control.
Women’s rights, LBGT rights etc.
 Values Artefacts
Values are another important element of culture and involve When we talk about artefacts, we are mainly talking about material objects
judgments of what is good or bad and desirable or that have an importance in your culture. Nowadays, nearly every culture
undesirable.
shares on artefacts - do you know what it is?
For example, in a lot of western cultures like the USA - the Technology - do you think this helps or hurts your culture?
value of competition in business and sports is very strong.
Students are taught to be better than their friends. However, remember there are still some cultures that have never even seen
a mobile phone - or even used electricity.
In other cultures, the rights of women are very low, for
example Jordan and Saudi Arabia rank as two of the lowest by Sometimes people in one society may find it difficult to understand the
United Nations.
artefacts that are an important part of another society’s culture, as you will
Lots of values are around freedom. Freedom to vote, express see when you watch the video clip.
opinions and criticise.
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/cultural-differences/#god-gre
Freedom of travel, and to have vaccination or not etc.. w-tired-of-us-cultural-differences
What are some of your culture’s values? Do you accept them –
After you watch it, please post your comments on Google Classroom under the
agree with them? Why or why not?
heading ‘lost boys documentary’.

Imagine if you had to move to another culture - what questions would you ask?
Do you think the lost boys understood the culture they were moving to? Explain
Do you think there was something more to prepare the for the new culture? Give
example.