User:Vottr686

The term “Culture” was first used in anthropology in the 19th century by a German ethnographer Adolf Bastian and was then used widely in the 20th century. Since then, the term “culture” has been defined in numerous ways. However, its meaning and understanding remain similar in different definition. The term “culture” to my understanding is an accumulated knowledge and learned behavior in order to fit in particular community or society. A baby was born without a culture, it depend on where he/she will be brought up and who will bring he/she up. For example, a Vietnamese child is adopted by an American parent, he/she will then have American culture. Another example is my friend, whose grandparent were from China, but she went to all Vietnamese schools and have Vietnamese neighbor, as the result, she cannot speak any Chinese and she reckon herself as Vietnamese. People behave differently in different culture in order to fit in what is considered as normal and appropriate. For instance, “table manner” in most Western culture is including eating quiet, no chewing noise and have a closing mouth. But, in Hong Kong, people chewing noisily when eating is acceptable and see as normal. In Japan, except when eating noodle, other food are consumed quietly. Making noise when eating noodle in Japan is the way of showing to the cook the noodle is delicious. Culture also includes language, costumes, cuisine. Language affects the culture and how people see the world around them. Different culture does not always have different language. Some languages are shared in different countries around the word. It is not always can find an equivalent word in different language because people in different part of the world or different culture experience different events, feeling and have a different way to express their feeling. In Vietnamese, there are many words for the first person subject and second person subject which are equivalent to “I” and “you” in English. It depends on age and social position to choose the right word. Therefore, respectful is not only depending on using the formal word but also depend on choosing the right word to use. It seem to some Vietnamese that in English, people can speak to elders in the same way as speaking to friends, and therefore, they do not show respect. The costumes and cuisine are different in different culture. However, beside the unique and distinctive, in some countries which are close to each other, they still have some similarity. Culture is also a shared belief, music, art, history, moral behavior and law. Culture does not inherited by genes, and it is evolving and changing with time. Culture is also change for adaption reason. In Japan, before leaving the classroom or answer a question as well as make a question, student must raise their hand and wait for the teacher’s permission. It is similar in some other Asian countries such as China, Laos, Thailand and Korea. But when in New Zealand, they do as the New Zealand student do.

Reference 1. Ericksen, Thomas H. and Silvert N, Finn (2001) The end of Modernism? in A History of Anthropology, London: Pluto Press pp 135-156 2. Keesing R. M., Strathern A. J. (1998) "Cultural and people: some basic concepts" in Cultural Anthropology A Contemporary Perspective, (third edition) Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publisher, pp 14-25 3. Monaghan J., Just P. (1995) Social and Cultural anthropology- A very short introduction. Oxford Rapport, Nigel and Joanna Overing (2000) "Culture" in Social and Cultural Anthropology: The key concepts, Lodon: Routledge, pp36-51 4. O'neil D. (2006)What is Culture [Online] Available at: http://anthro.palomar.edu/culture/culture_1.htm [acessed 26th May 2006] 5. Salzman P.C(2001)"Introduction to theory" in "Understanding Culture: an Introduction to Anthropological theory, Long Grove, Illinois: Waveland Press, pp 1-12