3. Fill in the blanks with the missing words in the following sentences.

heritage	way	behavior	ancient	generation
similar	distinguish	share	come across	features

1. I don't like his ... of life.

2) Culture is a complex of ideas that … human beings from animals.

3. The European cultures are ... .

4. But every culture has its specific ... .

5. They … food and shelter.

6. I have never ... such a word.

7. Culture influences the ... of the people.

8. The … people made things of skin and stone.

9. Culture is social …, or tradition that is transmitted to future … .

DISCOVERING LANGUAGE

1. Put the words in the correct word order to produce a definition of language.

in – time – allows – communicate – things – system – are – language – is – a – of – symbols – that – people – to – about – that – remote – and – arbitrary – space

2. In the following text there are ten spelling mistakes. Rewrite the text, correcting the mistakes.

What are the British like?

Despit the pluri-ethnic population their are traits comon to most of the nation.

People from rural areas, who live quieter life, are usualy more polite, frendly and helpfull when you ask for help. In the citys, especially London, asking for help does not always meet warm response.

The Brits are not ready to warm up, if you ask two many personal questions. When you get monosyllabic answers, leave it off. Talk about the wheather. Its the safest ground to break ice. The aparent lack of curiosity about other people is simply a sense of privacy and fear of invading yours.

3. a) The sentences in the following extract have been mixed up. Put them in the correct order and say what attitude to the animals it shows.

1) It is the world’s oldest charity society for animal protection.

2) They oppose using animals in research laboratories for experiments that cause pain and suffering.

3) They find new homes for cats and dogs, treat sick animals and investigate complaints of cruelty towards them.

4) The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (The RSPCA) was founded in 1824.

5) They work to promote kindness and to prevent cruelty to animals throughout England.

b) What value of the English culture does the passage show? Can you give an example of a similar activity in our country?

GRAMMAR PRACTICE

Participles

Participles as well as relative clauses can give additional information about a person, or a thing, or an idea being spoken about and express the thought relationship “addition of description”. They can stand before nouns (in pre-position) as well as following them (in post-position). In the narrative about past events we can find Participles for giving additional information about an action.

4. In the following passage identify participles among the words in italics and explain their meaning.

All through its long history Belarusian culture has been influenced by that of its neighbours: Russians, Ukrainians, Poles and Lithuanians. The earliest surviving specimens of written and oral folklore date back to the 16^th century. They are mostly carols and songs celebrating the summer solstice and the harvest festival. The language is rich in sayings and proverbs. Belarusian folk tales are characterized by vivid imagery, expressive language and charming fantasy. There can be little talk of culture in the case of a people which had, according to the 1897 census, only 17 per cent literacy in the Minsk Gubernia. The tsarist government did not recognize the Belarusian language and teaching at school was entirely in Russian. But in spite of severe social and national oppression, literary works in Belarusian began to appear in manuscript form in the middle of the 19^th century. At about the same time the first national opera “Selyanka” was composed. Printed works in Belarusian appeared at the beginning of the 20^th century.

5. Paraphrase the following using participial phrases instead of relative clauses.

a)

1) Students in most Christian countries have one or two week holidays, which begin shortly before Christmas and end after the New Year.

2) American children hang their stockings by the fireplace, hoping that Santa Claus, a fat, jolly man, who wears a red suit, red hat, and a long white beard, will fill them with candies and toys.

3) In the 1960s, when the women’s movement appeared that challenged the view that women’s place was keeping house, many middle-class Americans agreed.

4) By the mid-1970s laws were passed that promised women equal treatment in the job market and admission to higher education, equal pay for equal work, and equal ability of loans and credit.

5) Most large private organizations that prohibit female members are banned.

b) Christmas Card that expresses goodwill at Christmas time is usually sent by mail. In the middle of the last century the Post Office dressed its postmen in bright red coats, which matched the official red of the pillar boxes. Postmen who wore bright red uniform were called “redbreasts”. Probably due to that a lot of Christmas cards show a cheerful robin redbreast, who brings a Christmas greeting in its beak.

LISTENING

National Stereotypes

The programme “Radio Investigator” recently looked into the ideas many people have of typical foreigners. Listen to a part of that programme and answer the questions that follow.

1. What does the first woman say about foreigners?

2. Why could the English family hardly believe that the “au pair” girl was from Denmark?

3. What does the man say about Americans?

4. What does the reporter think of such ignorance and prejudice?

5. Ask some more questions using the words “amusing” and “amused”.

SPEAKING

1. a) Read and dramatize the dialogue

DIFFERENT CULTURES ALL OVER THE WORLD

A. Hello! Haven't seen you for ages! Where have you been?

B. Hello! I have visited Japan recently. It was great! The culture in Japan differs from ours.

A. Naturally. Cultures differ from country to country.

B. Yes. You are right. All is different: food, clothes. The way they eat, the way they speak.

A. I understand. I've read a lot about different cultures. People's nationalities can even be recognized by the way they greet each other.

B. Sure. We’re used to shake hands when we meet. But in Japan people usually bow...

A. Sorry for interrupting you. And the French usually kiss each other on the cheeks.

B. Sometimes we do the same. But still European and Asian cultures differ greatly!

A. You are lucky to have visited Asia! Have you taken photos there?

B. Of course. Come on Sunday and I'll show you all of them. A. Thanks. I'll visit you with pleasure.

b) Act out a similar dialogue.

1. The chart below compares seven main cultural groups – the Japanese, the Americans, the British, the Germans, the French, the Russians and the Arabs in terms of four key areas: emotions, decision making, social interaction, negotiating strategy. Discuss whether you agree to the information. Try to prove your statements.

the Japanese

Emotions are valued but must be hidden.

Self control is highly valued: no argumentation.

Respect, patience, modesty.

Decisions are made by the group rather than individuals.

Face-saving is very important.

Choice is often made to save someone from embarrassment.

To reach agreement in harmony and consensus without direct pressure. This is the reason why negotiations take much longer.

the Americans

Emotions are not highly valued.

Team work gives input to decision-makers.

Decisions are made quickly.

Face-saving does not openly matter.

Choices are made on a cost / benefit basis.

Little emphasis on status.

To be strong is highly valued.

Pressure tactics are often used.

Arguments are based on facts and made in an impersonal way

the Germans

Suppressions of personal relationship beneath the subject.

Well prepared to negotiations.

Try to win argument before it begins.

They will say «NO» if necessary.

Emphases on logic & argumentation.

Often aggressive.

the British

Establish social relationship.

Group-oriented in making decisions.

Semi-formal, collaborative to solve the problem like gentlemen

the Russians

Emotional.

Sensitivity is highly valued.

Better discuss partner’s offers than make their own.

Interaction can be emotional.

Strict hierarchical relationships between superiors and subordinates.

No risk taking, restricted initiative.

More attention to general goals & less to tactics.

the French

Emotional when arguing.

Usually have no options.

Members are less independent in making decisions than Americans.

Enjoy a warm interaction as well as lively debate.

To be well-prepared and win intellectual argument.

the Arabs

Focus on the person.

Avoid conflict.

Never say «NO».

Group harmony.

Much emphasis on status.

To establish trust and build positive atmosphere.

2. a) Fill in the chart below with the above characteristics and discuss it in the group.

British Americans Japanese YOU

1

2

3

4

5

1. Human nature

a. Basically evil b. Mixture of good and evil c. Basically good

2. Relationship of man to nature

a. Man subjugated by nature b. Man in harmony with nature

c. Man - the master of nature

3. Sense of time

a. Past-oriented b. Present-oriented c. Future-oriented

4. Activity

a. Being: stress on who you are b. Growing: stress on self-development

c. Doing: stress on action

5. Social

a. Authoritarian b. Group-oriented c. Individualistic relationships

b) What new facts did you learn about communicative behaviour in the UK, in the US, in your own country?

3. a) What nationalities do you tend to associate with the following characteristics? Match each description with one of the nationalities.

1. They are happy to borrow manners and style from anywhere as long as it is useful and, above all, elegant. They love new things and their homes and offices are full of gardgets. Interactive video telephones, high speed trains, and modern architecture cause excitement not shock.

a. The French b. The Japanese c. The Germans d. The British

2. They leave work as punctually as they arrive and rarely take work home. They work hard, but statistically they put in fewer hours than fellow Europeans.

a. The Spanish b. The British c. The Germans d. The Japanese

3. Lunches and dinners are an important part of business life. They are used to create a personal relationship, and to make sure that people can trust each other. Until the coffee is served, they must not discuss business.

a. The Japanese b. The Spanish c. The Italians d. The British

4. It is impolite to be exactly on time. For social occasions this means arriving between ten and twenty minutes after the arranged time. Sometimes invitations specify, for example, ‘Come at 7.30 for 8.00’, which means you must not arrive later than 7.50.

a. The Japanese b. The Spanish c. The Germans d. The British

5. They regularly word on Saturdays, don’t often take more than week’s vacation, and count sick days as holiday.

a. The Italians b. The Germans c. The British d. The Japanese

6. The backbone of the economy is the thousands of small and medium sized private firs in the north. Their owners prefer independence, and it is more profitable to keep things in the family,

pay workers in cash, and employ people who are officially self-employed, in order to make bigger profits and avoid strikes.

a. The French b. The Italians c. The Spanish d. The Japanese

b). Do you agree with the above given analysis? Why/Why not? How dangerous is it to stereotype people in this way?

4. Interview two or three students in your group to find out their answers to the following questions. Note down the individual speaker’s answers.

1) When introducing yourself to someone you don’t know at a party, what do you usually say?

2) When you are introduced to a man of your age or younger/what do you usually say?

3) When you are introduced to a woman of your age or younger/what do you usually say?

4) When you are being introduced to someone, do you usually shake hands?

5) What are some topics you might talk about immediately after an introduction?

6) Do you prefer going out with a group of friends rather than with one or two friends?

5. Have a short discussion focusing on the following questions:

In which situations is behaviour in your own country similar or different from behaviour in the UK, the US?

6. a) Act as an interpreter