Lesson 8

Exploring Texts Reflecting Different Cultures

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of cultural contexts in the communication
process;
2. Analyze texts that reflect varied cultures and practices; and
3. Appreciate various cultural identities and differences.

Cultural Texts
In the previous lesson, you learned that intercultural communication has an important role to
play in effective communication. Indeed, awareness of the different varieties of English with their
features as well as understanding the registers of English should be the goal of everyone so that there is
less misunderstanding and miscommunication.
Note that one cause of miscommunication is pronunciation. Speakers of different varieties of
English have different ways of pronouncing words. This is so because of differences in phonology.
Kachru and Nelson (2006,P.37) claims that in terms of pronunciation, most Outer and Expanding Circle
varieties display differences in the Inner-circle varieties, similar to those found between regional dialects
within the Inner-circle varieties. These differences may lead to grammatical consequences affecting
comprehension. For instance, among Singaporeans and Malaysians speakers of English, a feature noted
is the simplification of final consonant clusters, e.g., (lef) for left and (pick) for picked. Such is also the
case in Philippine English.
Interpretations then vary because of differences in pronunciation. If one says “hit it” instead of
“heat it” or “She ass” instead of “She asks, “ miscommunication is likely to happen.
In the Philippine languages, every vowel is pronounced with a full distinct sound. Filipinos
pronounce words as they are written or spelled out making it syllable-time and not stress-time.
Americans on the other hand, blend syllables or sometimes even drop some sounds making the syllables
short. Below are some examples of this feature:

1. American English: Gotcha!

Philippine English: Got you!
2. American English: Whatche say?
Phillipine English: What you say?
3. American English: Wherd you go?
Phillipine English Where did you go?
4. American English: Ja hitit?
Phillipine English Did you hit it?
5. American English: Can I getche adrink?
Phillipine English Can I get you a drink?

A cultural barrier does not only pertain to differing languages. It may also be in the form of a cultural
practice or even a bodily gesture. For instance, in English-speaking countries and even in the
Philippines, the thumbs-up gesture signals approval. However, it is considered offensive in other
countries such as Greece, Italy, and in some parts of the Middle East. Likewise, making a circle with
one’s thumb and forefinger generally means okay in many Western cultures but this is not so in
countries like Japan where it is interpreted as a sign for money, and in some Arab cultures as a threat.
Thus, one should be careful in using bodily gestures.

Formal and Informal language

In the previous lesson, you also studied language register which refers to the formality and
informality of the language which one speaks. As it is, different registers are used in different situations.
Your purpose for communication and the relationship you have with the listeners/readers will
determine if you are to use formal or informal language. When you are in the gymnasium and a
teenager offers you a seat, you acknowledge the kind gesture by saying “Thanks for the seat.” However,
if you are in an academic forum and an organizer offers you a seat, you say: “Thank you very much,
Sir/Mam.”

When speaking impromptu on a certain topic, you should use ordinary, conversational language.
However, if you are to give a lecture in a conference, your language should be formal. In the same
manner that when you write your speech and your purpose is to inform your audience on climate
change, it is expected that your language is formal. In contrast, if your speech is meant to entertain your
listeners on a light topic, your language should be informal.

Comprehension Questions

Check your understanting of the input by answering the following questions.

1. It is inevitable for us to meet people coming form other cultures. Cite at least three ways by
which you can avoid miscommunication or misinterpretation of ideas when talking to them.
2. How does non-verbal communication in general or bodily gestures in particular pose
miscommunication between two persons coming from different cultures? Cite examples that you know.
3. Give one situation when you should use formal language and another situation when you should
use informal language? What expressions will you use? How do they differ from each other?
The following words are often mispronounced. Practice saying them with the stresses in the right
places.

A. Words accented in the first syllable

comfortable Impious Charitable Dysentery Testimony

Orchestra Category Deficit Literature Participle
Ceremony Vegetable Circumstance Beefsteak Maintenance
Applicable Orator Cemetery Laboratory Temperament
Catholic Intimacy Miserable Lamentable Legislative
Ancestor Pedestal Theater Hospitable Interesting
Honorable Practicable Monastery Certainty Decade
Melancholy Operator Naval Heroism Inventory
Preferable Characteristics Senator Eligible Cucumber
protestant admirable delicacy Kilometer seminar

B. Words accented In the second syllable

Adventure Innumerable Administrative

Committee Napoleon Condolence
Inevitable Appreciate Development
Appropriate Inhospitable irrevocable
Utensil Admonish Irreparable
Abbreviate Contribute Illiteracy
Lieutenant Ancestral Incognito
Opponent Professor Inestimable
Semester Establish commander
associate Incorrigible

C. Words accented in the third syllable

Antecedent Inadmissible Indefatigable

Satisfactory Inaccessible Indistinguishable
Convalescent Ambiguity Ingenuity
Inappropriate Contradictory Indescribable
Cafeteria Continuity Interference
Operation Cigarette Jamboree
Contributing Supplementary Reproduction
operation comprehensive opportunity

D. Words accented in the fourth syllable

Realization Extemporaneous Fertilization Fortification

Appreciation Representation Materialistic Enthronization
Interpretation assimilation pronunciation communication
 E. Words that are not accented

Present Abolish Opinion Citizen Confidence

Vowel Opera Memory Successful Government
About Society Separate decision History
Around family beautiful grammatical responsible

Task 8.1

Name ______________________ Course/Section:

Below are two examples of two varieties of English that focus on expressions. Classify them accordingly
and write them under the correct column. Note that some terms from the list are used by both
varieties.

1. Underground economy vs. black economy 11. Raincoat vs. mackintosh

2. Counterclockwise vs anticlockwise 12. Fortnight vs. two weeks
3. Current account vs. checking account 13. Driving license vs. driver’s license
4. Housing development vs. housing estate 14. Third-party insurance vs. liability insurance
5. Elementary school vs. junior school 15. Whisky vs. whiskey
6. Labor union vs. trade union
7. Expiry date vs. expiration date
8. Rubbish vs. garbage
9. Parenthesis vs. brackets
10. Drink driving vs. drunk driving

American English British English

Task 8.2
Name: ________________________ Section: ______________ Score: _____________

With your partner, fill in the table below. Assess the communication situation, the type of relationship
between the speaker and listener, and the language used.

Communication Relationship between Language used

Situation the speaker and
listener
1. Oops, sorry!
2. I am very pleased
to meet you, Sir
3. Let’s go to the gig!
4. Hello, I’m Dina!
5. Would you mind
getting me a
drink?
6. I said: “Leave me
alone!”
7. I need some time
to reflect.
8. I apologize for my
mistake.
9. Shall we go now?
10. Give it to me!