ibunka TB_U8

8 Conversation and Discussion

One Step Further ACTIVITIES

Here are some more responses from the Ibunka Survey on the topic of conversation and discussion. Let’s examine them for underlying cultural trends. We can see that the language in many responses hints at four basic patterns.

)25 7($&+(56

92&$%8/$5<

SURVEY

LOOKING FOR PATTERNS

CULTURAL PATTERN A: Responding to questions with long answers In some cultures, it is considered normal to give long and detailed contributions to conversation. These people try to put their conversation partners at ease by giving longer answers when asked a question, and speaking freely without being asked questions. Expressing yourself is seen as a sign of openness to communicate.

CULTURAL PATTERN B: Responding to questions with short answers In other cultures, people tend to give brief answers when asked a question, so as to give others more LQȵXHQFH RQ WKH FRXUVH RI WKH FRQYHUVDWLRQ 7KH priority is to accommodate your conversation partner, LQ RUGHU WR ȴQG FRPPRQ JURXQG

Read through the Ibunka Survey responses below. Highlight in one color the words and phrases that hint at Cultural Pattern A: Responding to questions with long answers DQG LQ DQRWKHU FRORU WKH SDUWV WKDW UHȵHFW Cultural Pattern B: Responding to questions with short answers. You can work and discuss this in pairs or small groups.

WR EUDQFK R΍ LQWR a GU\O\

minimal

RQJRLQJ FKLW FKDW SURSHU GLVWDQFH

WR OHDG WR a LPSOLFLWO\ SUHIHUDEOH ORDGHG ZLWK a WR PLVV WKH ZLQGRZ R΍HQGHG

Ʉ One Step Further Ʉ I Ʉ8QLW Ʉ I Ʉ&RQYHUVDWLRQ DQG 'LVFXVVLRQ 88