In this essay Amanda Fulford examines the subject of inter-cultural understanding from two perspectives: first, through considering Naoko Saito's exploration of translation and inter-/intra-cultural understanding, and second, through a discussion of work from the field of literacy studies, in particular the New London Group's "pedagogy of…

Foreign language teachers need to face the challenge of handling cultural meaning in foreign language teaching so that students not only learn the language but also learn the different associations a particular linguistic stimulus calls up for the native, rather than internalizing meanings in terms of their own past experience and culture. (CB)

Discusses various problems concerning the island of Corsica, including economic decline, underdevelopment, emigration, and insularity--all problems which have affected and influenced its linguistic and cultural identity, as well. The dynamics of Corsican relations with the new, socialist France are questioned in reference to a hoped for…

Examines the speech act of complimenting as example of sociolinguistic information needed to understand problems of language learners. Describes semantic and syntactic structure of compliments in American English and compares this with complimenting behavior in other cultures. (Author/BK)

The three following myths are discussed: 1) language is culture, 2) a "Francophony" exists, and 3) there is a dialogue between cultures. The concept of "interculture" is then examined. (MSE)

Discusses the differences in power among people of all societies, which are reflected by pronoun usage (or other grammatical indications) or, in the case of English, by some other linguistic means. Since English can no longer distinguish solidarity and power by means of pronouns, it relies on the use of first names and titles to accomplish the…

Emphasizes the need for a methodology for treating nonverbal culture in the foreign language curriculum, and describes the ways computer-based technology can present video reference material. Suggests that lack of language competence often results from the inability to interpret the nonverbal system of signs present in the foreign culture. (SL)

Refutes the concept that a single and universal tongue is ideal and the rich diversity of languages is an unfortunate state of affairs, pointing out that the mastery of several languages enhances cultural understanding and experience. (eight references) (CB)

Discusses the usage of French in Gabon. As in other nations of francophone Africa, French is the language of upward social mobility in Gabon, and it offers access to the international community. However, one factor peculiar to Gabon is the virtual absence of a Gabonese national language, which promotes a greater dependency upon a mastery of the…

Discusses the multicultural education thrust to reduce illiteracy, as well as the linkage between language and identity. It is argued that encouraging literacy requires sensitivity to both roles of the tension between core knowledge and skills and the promotion of group values and culture. (60 references) (GLR)

Dissents with Virginia Sauve's argument that "culture is not about content, but about the making and remaking of relationships." The article argues that there is a strong knowledge basis for any culture and that stereotypes of other cultures evolve from knowledge of how people act and talk. The article concludes that Canadians must share…

Examines the nonstandard constructions in Caipira Portuguese, a dialect spoken in southeastern Brazil, which illustrate a tendency to reduce morphological redundancy at the noun phrase level. This is accomplished by restricting plural markers to only one of the elements of the noun phrase--not the noun, as might be expected, but, rather, one its…

The language teacher must teach not only language but also its cultural background. Students should be taught to avoid social or cultural pitfalls in areas such as accent, greetings, role relationships, idioms, and tense. (CFM)

Issues emanating from a workshop, "Broadening the Mind or Reduced Personality: Skills for Increasing Cross-Cultural Awareness," held at the 1990 Jyvaskyla Seminar on Cross-Cultural Communication are discussed. The issues relate to problems that arise when Finnish educators attempt to incorporate training in cross-cultural communication…

Compares heritage (ethnic) language programs with English as a second language programs in Canada. Differences in motivation and attitudes are cited among some ethnic groups who are eager to learn English for everyday communicative purposes, but are not interested in spending much time in heritage language classes. (SL)