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CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Vocabulary:______Find the "odd one out"

There may be more than one answer. Give your reasons.

A B C

1. similar different dissimilar

2. a muti-racial society a multi-lingual society a monoculture

3. immigrants emigrants migrants

4. the Normans the Romans the Saxons

5. to intermarry to interfere to integrate

6. asylum refuge shelter

7. prejudice bias criticism

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Text for dictation:______

Most European countries have multi-racial societies owing both to historical and geographical factors. Military conquests, persecution and economic hardship have all contributed to waves of immigration.

Early British history highlights the influence of the Romans, the Vikings, the Saxons and the Normans. More recently, we have opened our doors to people

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from our former colonies seeking jobs, refugees seeking political asylum and other members of the European Community.

Racial integration has been successful in many areas of Britain. Intermarriage between people of similar cultures is now very common. The popularity of Chinese and Indian food and support for events such as the Notting Hill Carnival show a further acceptance of cultural differences.

However, good race relations have proved more difficult where there has been large-scale immigration involving dissimilar cultures, especially in areas of social deprivation - for example, where there is poor housing and high unemployment. Not only do immigrants become scapegoats for the problems of these areas, but they, themselves, may be reluctant to integrate for reasons of religion or cultural identity.

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Discussion questions:______ask and answer

1. "Cultural differences cause problems. It is better for people to stay in

their own countries rather than to migrate to other ones." Do you agree?

2. Would you prefer to live in a monoculture or a multi-racial society? Why?

3. "It is better to study major international languages like English rather than

to spend time on minority languages for the sake of regional identity."

Do you agree?

4. "Governments should give regions in their countries more autonomy

so that they can protect and enjoy their own cultures rather than serving

the centralized policies of the capital city." Do you agree?

5. Is it better to marry someone of the same cultural background?

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6. "Religion as a school subject should include all the major world

religions - not only the majority religion in the country concerned."

Do you agree?

7. How do you think "British Culture" differs from "N. American Culture"?

How do these cultures differ from the culture of your own country?

______CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Dialogue:______read aloud in pairs

A: What do you think is the problem between the English and the Americans?

B: That's a very interesting question, because both nationalities share a common

language and are usually on the same side in war-time, yet they rarely speak

well of one another on a personal level.

A: Are we talking about a struggle for superiority?

B: Yes, but we measure our superiority in different ways. Ours is cultural and

historical. We believe we're more civilized. We're the country of Shakespeare and

the industrial revolution. Americans visit England in search of culture and history.

A: So in what ways are they superior?

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B: Well, obviously in size. Everything's bigger - their country, their salaries,

their roads, their companies. Theirs is the land of MacDonald's, Coca Cola,

Microsoft and IBM. They enjoy telling us that they're the best.

A: And are they right?

B: Yes, if you measure success purely in dollars, but there're two points here.

Firstly, many English people actually believe that "Small is Beautiful". They

prefer countries where you don't get mugged in parks and subways.

A: What's the other point?

B: I was coming to that. It's the difference in character. Maybe you think you're

the best in the world, but you don't go shouting about it from the rooftops. Americans

lack our modesty and reserve. They're probably warmer and more friendly, but

they're often very loud and extrovert to go with it.

A: So you prefer the British character?

B: Not entirely. We tend to be rather oblique in our conversation. When

Americans speak, you can take them literally, but when English people speak you

have to read between the lines.

A: We say one thing and mean another?

B: Exactly.