THE LANGUAGE OF GESTURES IN DIFFERENT CULTURES

Culture-specific body language is just as important in a culture as is its language, and can be just as expressive if not more so, as it expresses emotions and intentions as well as meanings outside of the verbal language. Since childhood, we have been trained to use such gestures instinctively, unaware that such movements could be interpreted differently depending on location or culture. A sign of goodwill or friendliness in one nation may be insulting or perplexing in a different one, so it is safe to say that nonverbal communication is rooted within cultural context. For example, the very act of greeting differs greatly: in some cultures a handshake suffices, in others people exchange kisses, hugs or even a slight bow as role of sign of respect. In places like Italy, gesturing with your hands is a necessity when conversing on a daily basis; words are punctuated by gestures and vary the emotional level of what’s being said, making the talk more animated and lively. Meanwhile, in the more conservative societies (like some Asian Countries) gestures are more mild and loose as modesty and respecting personal space are regarded as very important. Studying body language also teaches us to prevent from being misunderstood and to be better understood when we are communicating with people of other cultures. Besides, by watching and motions play, we can even get a sense of other people’s emotions when we don’t share a common language. Body language is an expression of cultural values, social rules, and ways of interacting with the environment, and as such, interpreting it adds to our cultural knowledge. It also asks us to pay more attention to our own gestures and how they may be read by others. So in a day and age when everyone is on the move, the world is getting smaller and smaller, the ability to read body language is important to helping you connect, empathize, and understand with cultures other than your own. And when we observe these phenomena, it helps us realize that communication consists not only of what is said, but also of how it is said — through our body, our face, and our motion. In this sense, gestures are invisible bonds that unite people, demonstrating that, even if languages are different, there is a will to communicate and understand.

✨ Motivational quote:

“When we learn to read gestures, we discover that the world communicates beyond words.” 🌍🤍

 THE EMOTIONAL CONNECTION WITH A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

The emotional relationship one has with a foreign language is much more than just learning vocabulary and grammar or linguistic rules; it is a slow process, which matures over time, and ultimately reaches the innermost layers of who we are as people. From the very first encounter, a new language arouses curiosity, enthusiasm, and sometimes fear,today because it means confronting the unknown and going beyond the familiar. Already those first words we learn start to take on special meanings, not just for what they say, but for what they call to mind. When you hear a song in a foreign language, get a line in a movie, or spot an expression in a conversation, you get a little thrill that goes right to your heart. Gradually the language is not something out there to confront but part of our daily reality, our thoughts, even our feelings. Sometimes a foreign term articulates our thoughts better than anything in our own language, and in those moments a magical and fleeting connection is formed. It is also stronger emotionally when the language brings up personal memories: a song on your first date, a phrase you learned when you were feeling down, or a conversation that shifted your worldview. When we learn a foreign language we are also given the opportunity to feel closer to a different culture, understand its way of looking at life, and empathise with different realities from our own. With language, we take instruction in speaking, but also in listening, gazing, and respecting other ways to express feeling. There is also an element of vulnerability in this connection, as to learn a language is to make mistakes, to feel uncertain, and to accept that we won't always be able to say what we want to say. Yet it is this vulnerability that makes us stronger and more confident and it teaches us to slow down in our steps. Eventually, the language becomes a place, a safe place where we can start over, try on new faces, and mature emotionally. And it is emotional ties to a foreign language that change not only what we think, but how we feel and how we relate to the world, teaching us that to learn a language is, in fact, to learn to feel otherwise. Languages, after all, are learned not only with the mind, but with the heart, because they are also bridges connecting us to people, cultures and experiences that carve their imprint in our own history.

✨ Motivational quote:

“A foreign language isn’t just learned, it’s felt, and when you feel it, it stays with you forever.” 💬❤️

 Learning languages ​​without books: real experiences 

Learning languages without books is a learning experience that filled me with most pride and joy possible to feel, because it made me realise that learning is not always a chore in front of a page full of grammar rules, but instead it can be found even in those brief, small moments that tie the language to life. At first, I thought that since I didn't have a book I wasn't actually "learning," but I came to realize that listening and watching and living were just as powerful (and more natural) methods for picking up a language. One of the first steps was listening to music in another language week by week while doing my daily routines; I didn’t know everything but the constant listening got me used to sounds, words and texts without paying much attention. Gradually I was able to connect words and expressions to emotions, situations and memories and that greatly assisted in making the language “stick” to my mind. Watching series and movies without dubbing was another great discovery because it enabled me to pick up real expressions as well as different tones of voice and gestures that are very difficult to fully grasp from a book. In the beginning, I did rely on subtitles, but now and again I can figure out the meaning of full sentences, just by looking at the general idea, and without translating every single word. And I also learned a lot from casual chats, be it with natives in videos, podcasts, or social media, or just by chatting with dumb little phrases and not caring about flubbing things up.

 

Every mistake was a lesson, and every try was a step closer to confidence. Learning without textbooks made me stop reaching for perfection and start focusing on communicating, because the purpose of a language is to communicate with people. In addition, I brought the language into my life, I made it part of my life: by changing the language of the phone, writing short notes, by repeating expressions aloud, or thinking in another language on walks. It all added up to learning that was natural, consistent and authentic. Gradually, I found that my ear developed, my pronunciation became more native-like, and my understanding was less laboured. It also made me more confident in myself because I realized that I could learn without just sticking to the conventional ways. Learning languages without books also proved that there isn't a single right way to learn, that everyone can learn in her/his own way. More than memorizing rules I learnt to sense the language, to live and delight in it, acknowledging that real-life experiences are what actually transform our learning in a way that takes us to other cultures in a more human and meaningful way.