National Cultural Profiles

it's curious that german language has produced many philosophers, would it have something to do about language structure?

Actually the German language is very interesting. It is not, for example, like most modern Latin derived languages, or even other germanic languages, of the syntactic structure SVO (Subjet-Verb-Object).

"I want some ice cream"

Japanese, is an example of another case, SOV...

(That's why "Master Joda" speaks so funny :innocent: )

However, the general structure of a German sentence is:

V1 + S + O + V2

That is, the German predicate is divided (being a common case, that the last part is empty), and idealy encloses the whole sentence.

However, it is common that some part of the sentence that you want to stress goes out of the frame, and take the first place... It is not, the stupid "rule" that many times is taught to, say, Spanish speakers that want to learn German "verb goes always in the second place"... that only prevents to understand early the deep German structure.

I have read some Germans that say that is the structure of their language, the reason why they have to be very attentive: The predicate is not fully expressed until the whole sentence is spelled out. You should not interrupt your interlocutor by early "guessing" of what he/she want to express.

Well, just a Syntax comment I wanted to make...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Does the structure of German propells Phylosophy or a better intellectual understanding of things?

It's a provocative question.

(That people like Karl Popper denies).
 
Reinfart, sabemos que eres otro inmigrante acomplejado por los problemas que asolan tu continente.

Puedes dejar de disimular.

Speak English you fart.
 
i think foreigners shouldn't have a say in traditional festivities.
it's like those animalists who complain that siena's horses are treated wrong, and that the palio should be banned for using horses etc.etc.

it's a tradition, there's nothing wrong with it.

You change the subject.
We were talking about killing bulls in a sadistic way.
That is the absence of culture.
Has nothing to do with culture.

It has the same cruelty rate as the slaughter of animals and people in the Roman arena's.
 
Actually the German language is very interesting. It is not, for example, like most modern Latin derived languages, or even other germanic languages, of the syntactic structure SVO (Subjet-Verb-Object).

"I want some ice cream"

Japanese, is an example of another case, SOV...

(That's why "Master Joda" speaks so funny :innocent: )

However, the general structure of a German sentence is:

V1 + S + O + V2

That is, the German predicate is divided (being a common case, that the last part is empty), and idealy encloses the whole sentence.

However, it is common that some part of the sentence that you want to stress goes out of the frame, and take the first place... It is not, the stupid "rule" that many times is taught to, say, Spanish speakers that want to learn German "verb goes always in the second place"... that only prevents to understand early the deep German structure.

I have read some Germans that say that is the structure of their language, the reason why they have to be very attentive: The predicate is not fully expressed until the whole sentence is spelled out. You should not interrupt your interlocutor by early "guessing" of what he/she want to express.

Well, just a Syntax comment I wanted to make...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Does the structure of German propells Phylosophy or a better intellectual understanding of things?

It's a provocative question.

(That people like Karl Popper denies).

that is interesting, indeed someone had to wait more to understand the meaning of a speech
 
SPAIN
Introduction: Spain is one of Europe’s oldest countries and dominated European politics and Catholicism for centuries. Remember that there are several Spains (Castile, Andalucia, Galicia, Catalonia, the Basques).

That lightness!, there are 17 regions in Spain.


Make sure you know where people’s allegiances lie.

What concept is the author of the Spanish?


Working hours: The working day is not an unbroken period of concentrated effort in the sense of the northern European or North American day. Coffee breaks with fellow employees, non-work conversations with colleagues and long meetings that shade into social affairs are all seen by the Spanish as valid parts of the working day.

A stupid paragraph, in Spain there are working hours and everything is agreed and organized, including breaks.
Spain is the only country where the work is, coffee machines, this guy believes that in Spain there are no business meetings.


Concept of time: Spaniards are classically multi-active, not linear-active. That is to say, the more things they can do or handle at the same time, the happier and more fulfilled they feel.

If you're a nurse, teacher, factory worker as more work at once give you the happier you are.


Body language: Spanish body language is among the most overt of all cultures. Flashing eyes, exaggerated facial expressions, extensive use of hands, arms and shoulders are typical. Eye contact is along with the Greek, the strongest in Europe.

Otelo

Listening habits: Spaniards are not dedicated listeners. They read less than any other people in Europe and pay little attention to the content of presentations. They do, however, watch you carefully and sum you up by observing your physical characteristics, your mannerisms and your willingness to participate in the congenial and jocular socialising which will inevitably follow.

First, 60% of the Spanish population aged over 14 claim to read books, whether for pleasure, work or study. Of these, the majority, ie, 57% said they read for pleasure and 21% due to work or school.
http://blog.entrelectores.com/2011/02/03/un-estudio-revela-los-habitos-de-lectura-en-espana/

If we refer to the most popular materials, literature in the lead, followed at some distance from the humanities and social sciences. The main theme is historical fiction, mystery and adventure story, while the romance fell, the horror and science fiction.
The guy who wrote this wants to leave the Spanish as if they were children who choose the books for the cartoons or the design of the cover, has said that the Spanish did not pay attention to the content of the presentations?, I think a scandal an embarrassment, an insult.


Motivation factors: Socialise as energetically (and as late) as possible. Relationship building in Spain is nearly always associated with eating and drinking.

Whatever you say.


Manners and taboos: Entry into the EU has obliged business people to align their waking and working hours with the rest of Europe and the siesta tradition is dying fast.

Hopefully, we work more and are less productive, Spanish times have not been adjusted to Europe. What a nap I'm going to leave because this guy is so stupid that it is not worth no comment.

How to empathise: Deference to a Spaniard’s dignity, respect for his station, personality and soul, is the key to his co-operation, alliance and affection.

Go to sleep dear, do not show up in Spain.
 
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The assertions about the French are obviously American clichés.

For the bullfighting, it is not really French, even in the south. This practice has been imported from Spain (1853).

http://www.lemonde.fr/societe/artic...e-exception-tres-culturelle_1393205_3224.html
Nobody said it's french, what we said is that it's popular there (south), certainly more than in northern Spain. But overrall, it's not popular in Spain, mostly a very specific group of people normally middle-aged onwards
 
S?gol?ne Royal qui d?clarait ? La Provence en 2007 : "La corrida est un spectacle magnifique."

didn't know that S?golene was a bullfighting fan. Spanish socialism use to be anti-corrida in general.

The assertions about the French are obviously American clichés.

Shared by many different cultures through the world.

Regards.
 
Yeah, the entire world have been brainwashed by USA about the frenchs.

Regards.

Even it is more and more hard to believe, I've heard that the American culture was exported everywhere. This could explain that.
 
There's no other logic explanation. Eating too many burgers have made the world share american's opinion on other nationalities.

Regards.
 
Bah! French clichés about Spain.
 
I think that one can't generalize...But there are common features among people of the same nation.
 
Poland - Republic of Poland / Polska - Rzeczpospolita Polska

1) Poland has many interesting places to visit & stay as for example:
- Baltic Sea,
- mountains: Tatra Mountains, Bieszczady, Karkonosze and others,
- Masuria which is known as "A land of thousand lakes" ,
- large forests as: Puszcza Kampinoska, Puszcza Białowieska etc.,
- amazing and beautiful cities: Warsaw, Gdańsk, Gdynia, Wrocław, Poznań, Katowice, Zamość.. and so on ;).

2) Poland was the first country attacked in World War II and the first country in Europe to break free from Soviet slavery in 1989. Even though Polish nation was in very though situation during WW II, they never joined Nazi or Soviet union.

3) Poland prevented Europe from Turkish (1683) and Soviet (1920) slavery.

4) Poland was the homeland of John Paul II.

5) Poland isn't so parochial as it's said to be. It has many modern objects, architecture, culture etc., but also respects its roots and traditions.

6) In Poland you can find some regions where local culture and customs are still alive, for example Kaszuby and Silesia which have their unique clothes, food, habits and even a specific language.

7) Some facts you may not know..:
- Poland was one of the first countries to get baptised (966) and the first in Europe (second in the world) which had its own constitution (1791);
- many Polish people weren't satisfied with communism after WW II, Polish soldiers fought against communism for a long time after 1945, the last of them were killed in 1963; they are known as "The cursed soldiers" because of being hated by communist authorities;
- in Poland many catholic holidays are free of work;
- one of the longest Polish words is: "Konstantynopolitańczykiewiczówna" - try to repeat! :LOL: ;
- Polish soldiers took part in one of the biggest military operation in Iraq - Battle of Karbala (2004);
- ..want to know more? Come to Poland! :)
 
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Poland is a great nation for many of the reasons that you said!
 
Riccardo, nice to hear that :).
I don't know much about Italy and Italians, but I have to say that in spite of having delicious national cuisine, I like Italian food, too - pesto rules! :grin:
 
Grizzly said:
I don't see the difficulty : Konstantynopolitańczykiewiczówna ! Easy !

Wonderful! :grin:
You may also try with: "ponaddziesięcioipółmetrowy" (y)
 

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