2.3.2 Language
As the vocabulary and grammatical structure of every language are highly idiosyncratic, current theories about language and culture argue that language affects the way in which people think. A common vocabulary and syntax results in common thought patterns among the people within a particular language group as well as common behaviours, attitudes and emphases. For example, in Arabic there are about 6000 words for describing the camel and its equipment; similarly the Inuit have over 200 words for describing snow. English by contrast has fewer words for describing camels and snow, but its multiple origins (Greek, Latin, French and others) give it a broad scope and it has an extensive vocabulary for business-related issues. For this reason, English is the most commonly used second language for those for whom it is not the 'mother tongue'.
Communication difficulties for international business managers arise when:
- the manager does not speak or understand the local language
- the manager speaks and understands the language a little, but not sufficiently to understand the nuances of meaning which are present in all languages
- the manager has to rely on the services of a translator who
- may not be equally fluent in both languages and either misses a point or mis-translates it; and/or
- wishes to gain some personal advantage by deliberately mis-translating
However, there are times when we may understand the language but not the slang: for example although Australians speak English, there is also the local 'lingo' that may result in misinterpretations and confusion during communication. See if you can interpret the following sentence consisting of some Australian lingo:
'That was boogah', said the bevan as he washed down a snot-block with some kirup sauce before jumping on his treddly to go back to his guvvie.
Yes, well, this did not make much sense to me either, but according to Woolford (2002, p. 9) the translation is:
'That was great', said the rough young man as he washed down a vanilla slice [a custard cake topped with icing] before jumping on his bike to go back to his government built Canberra house.
It is worth mentioning that of the Australians among you some may not have, like me, recognised the lingo because besides the lingo varying between countries, it can also vary among regions within a country. To complicate this even further, some words have multiple meanings. Figure 2.4 gives an example of this with the use of the word 'dude'. Australians may recognise similarities with this usage when thinking about how they use 'mate'.
Figure 2.4 What does dude really mean?
Source: Examiner 2004, p. 101.
Review your textbook's discussion of language that is divided into spoken and unspoken language, the latter of which is commonly referred to as nonverbal communication. This reading also covers education, another important determinant of culture.
In your text
Hill 2005, Chapter 3, pp. 106-108.
Activity 2.3
Test your knowledge of the following Australian lingo. if you are unsure, ask an Aussie, or visit a website such as http://www.abc.net.au/wordmap.
- tinnie
- mozzie
- fair dinkum
- mate
- cop shop
- agro
- bludger
- barbie
- dunny
- boxie
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