Dr. Monika Badecka-Kozikowska

„ …. an invisible control mechanism operating in our thoughts. We become only aware of this control mechanism when it is severely challenged by exposure to a different culture” (Hall 1983).

a shared set of basic assumptions and values, behavioural norms, attitudes and beliefs manifested in systems and institutions; behavioural patterns and non-behavioral items. Culture is shared among members of one group or society (Hofstede in Dahl 2004; Spencer-Oatey 2000).

a system that can be peeled, layer by layer (Hofstede 1991) ; Outer layers Rituals / Behavioural patterns Heroes Symbols Artefacts & products Systems & institutions Inner core values Basic assumptions Beliefs Attitudes Behavioural conventions (Spencer –Oatey 2000)

See Slides 6 & 7 above

Who are culture learners ? Language class members Travellers / Tourists Sojourners

An ability to: evaluate critically, […], perspectives, practices and products in one’s own and other cultures & countries (Byram, 1997)

What is Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC)? It is an ability to - interact with people from another country and culture - to act as a mediator between people of different cultural origins - to use language appropriately (sociolinguistic & discourse competence) - and be aware of specific meanings of this language ( Byram, 1998)

A Culture Assimilator by means of Critical Incidents (Cushner &Brislin 1996)

The Three Oddest Words When I pronounce the word Future, the first syllable already belongs to the past. When I pronounce the word Silence, I destroy it. When I pronounce the word Nothing, I make something no non-being can hold. Wisława Szymborska transl. by St. Barańczak

The ……est Words / My / Their … Words When I ……………………. ……………………………… When I ……………………. ……………………………… When I …………………….. ………………………………. I ……………………………… ……………………………….

Laozi Laozi often explains his ideas by way of paradox.

When I pronounce the word Enemy, I respect him first of all. When I pronounce the word Honour, I must defeat myself. When I pronounce the Word Sorrow. I always find a shadow by my side.

When I read the word Peace, the first syllable belongs to security. When I read the word Freedom, I pursue it. When I read the word Death, I make something no being can block.

Heaven is where the police are British, the cooks are French, the mechanics are German, the lovers are Italian, and it is all organized and run by the Swiss.

Hell is where …………………………………………

the police are German, the cooks are British, the mechanics are French, the lovers are Swiss, and it is all organized and run by the Italians.