What is 'Culture' According to
You?
I’m here with Ethan, Kashif and Charlotte to talk about
culture. Tell me, what is the first thing that pops into your
20 mind when you hear the word culture?
(2,8 ns.)
Ethan:
For me culture is different nationalities and people from
The word culture brings many images and definitions to
other countries. When I travel with my parents, I always
5 mind. Culture is often mentioned when discussing other
25 notice that people behave differently from how British
countries and nationalities, but the word also appears when
people usually do. It may only be little things, for example
talking about youth culture and subcultures. Culture
how polite you have to be towards other people. British
surrounds us everywhere we go. We are all part of various
people have a reputation for behaving very politely towards
different and diverse cultures, and we recognise culture
other people, always saying “please”, “excuse me”, “sir”,
10 when we see it.
30 “thank you”, and so on. My friends from other countries
always mention that as being typically British culture and
But how can culture be understood and explained? We have
asked three young people; Ethan from Cardiff in Wales,
Kashif from East London, and Charlotte from San Francisco
15 to try and explain and define their perception of the word
culture.
Interviewer:
behaviour. Or it can be something more obvious like the way
people dress. In India most women wear saris and have a
bindi on their forehead. But culture can also be things you
35 do not do. Again in India it is common practice not to eat
with your left hand, and the British are almost famous for
the way they patiently queue. It is very unlikely you will
experience that particular cultural aspect in India.
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60
40 Kashif:
Interviewer:
Yes, I agree with Ethan. I live in East London. My parents
That is a good point. Do you have other ways of looking at
come from Pakistan and, being a Pakistani living in London,
culture?
I am often confronted with cultural differences. It is
sometimes almost a culture-clash. In some ways Pakistani
65 Charlotte:
45 culture is more traditional than British. There are certain
Well, yes, to me culture is something people gather around,
rules for acting and behaving towards your parents. You
a place to meet others who are like you, in a way. I live in
could perhaps say that people are more respectful. Even
San Francisco, and in my city there is a large gay
though the British are considered very polite, they might
community. The gay culture is very visible, and it is
even go as far as calling that part of Pakistani culture old-
70 generally accepted. To me culture has to do with belonging
50 fashioned compared to theirs.
– it’s a way of living and thinking, and something you share
with other people.
Interviewer:
Kashif, do you find it difficult juggling two cultures? Are you
caught in between cultures?
Interviewer:
75 Like holidays?
55
Kashif:
Charlotte:
Not really. I’ve been brought up in both cultures, so I get the
Absolutely. For example, celebrating Thanksgiving with
best of both worlds. Actually, it can be quite useful to feel at
family and friends is an important part of American culture.
home in two different cultures.
80 The focus is on giving thanks, and anyone can take part in
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that – no matter what other cultural background you might
So to sum up. What is culture?
have.
Kashif:
Ethan:
105 Ha ha. That is an easy question to ask, but not so easy to
85 Yes, I agree. You see different kinds of cultures all over. We
answer. I guess culture means something different
all belong to at least one of them, and they all add some
depending on who you ask. Some isolate themselves within
colour to our lives. Of course there are also certain aspects
a culture, and others travel far to experience a culture. A
of culture which are less desirable, and some people might
journey into a culture could simply be a walk down to the
feel stuck in a given culture. All in all, I think it’s very
110 shops.
90 interesting. It makes the world a fascinating place, knowing
that there are all of these differences – knowing that we are
Interviewer:
not all alike.
And with that, I want to thank you all for being here today
and sharing your thoughts with us.
Charlotte:
115
95 Yes, but you also need a certain amount of acceptance.
People have to accept, or even just respect, different
cultures. There are many cruel examples throughout history
of people not accepting other cultures than their own.
Nothing good ever came from that.
100
Interviewer:
Denne pdf er udskrevet af Jelena Brajic (jele0047), Campusskolen (280342), 11/8 2014
Pdf’en må printes til de elever og lærere, der er omfattet af abonnement på Engelsk, men må ikke under nogen form videredistribueres til andre. Der skal afregnes
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