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Learning About Local Culture Means Less Misunderstandings

Let’s start with English. Even if most foreigners learn a standard version of the language, they still study English culture, to learn how to give words the right meaning.
Outside the cultural context, it would be difficult for foreigners to understand the meaning behind phrases like “it’s raining cats and dogs” or “fly by the seats of your pants.” Similar examples are easy to find in any language.
Let’s take it one step further. Just think about the various cultures behind the English language alone. Understanding English-speaking cultures allows foreigners to communicate differently, depending on the country they visit or do business with.
Words like ‘pants’, ‘biscuits’, ‘trainers’ or ‘football’ have different meanings in the US and the UK. It’s sometimes hard for English speakers to adapt to these differences. Imagine how hard it would be for foreigners, outside a cultural context!
Spanish is another language with many different versions. So, when you’re looking to study it, make sure you pay attention to cultural differences.
Latin Americans speak differently from one country to another, and from Spain. ‘Boludo’, for example, means stupid in Argentina and brave in Mexico. While ‘fresa’ is the word for strawberry in Spain, but it describes a snob in Mexico.
The same happens with French, Italian, Arabic, Chinese and any other language. Because languages are dynamic and continuously changing, people tend to give new meanings to words, depending on their level of education or on the region they live in.
Understanding culture allows foreigners to use the right word, depending on the context. This way, there’s less room for misunderstandings and confusion.

Cultural Background Makes Language Learning Easier

We are cultural learners from an early age. Our native language influences the way we receive new information. And, when we grow, cultural references are essential for learning a language.
Learning a language without understanding the culture behind it is tasteless. It’s like cooking fried chicken without the right spices! You get to know something about the recipe, but you’ll never experience the real flavor.
You can’t learn Chinese just because you want to do business in China. You must find the deeper reasons behind the language: how the Chinese act, how they live, what they eat, what their beliefs and traditions are. All these details will give you a new perspective on the language and allow you to learn faster.