Advice and Information for the World Traveller on Many Destinations

Archive for the ‘Culture’ Category

South Africa is known as the Rainbow Nation because of the various races living in the country. Most of the population is made up of different ethnic groups living in the urban areas. Having different races has led to the development of various South African cultures and forms of etiquette.

South Africa’s customs and forms of etiquette are divided into three parts: meeting, gift giving, and dining. Meeting covers several greeting styles, depending on the person’s ethnic heritage. South African men tend to shake hands with foreigners while maintaining a smile and eye contact to show courtesy. If a man knows a woman very well, he may kiss her as a replacement for a handshake.

Most South Africans celebrate Christmas and birthdays by giving gifts. When a person turns 21 and 40, it is celebrated by having a large party where a lot of gifts are given. In this event, it is common for friends to share in the purchasing of the gifts to help cut the cost. Flowers, chocolates, and a bottle of South African wine are recommended as gifts if you are invited to a house. Your courtesy will be appreciated if you make an extra effort to wrap the gift nicely.

South Africans are a time-conscious people, so it’s better to arrive on time when you are invited to a house. You should contact the host to determine if you should bring a dish. Most of the people in this country appreciate casual clothing when having dinner with friends.

Visiting South Africa is easy and it’s culture is rich, with many customs and forms of etiquette that can be appreciated by other countries. The diversity of races in the country further developed the culture, making it easier for foreigners to adapt.

Europe is home to a diverse range of countries, cultures, religions, governments, and languages. Spanning east to west from the Ural Mountains bordering Asia to the Atlantic Ocean, and spanning north to south from the Arctic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, Europe’s 50 sovereign states encompass over 700 million inhabitants whose diversity of cultures is reflected clearly through its diversity of languages.

Rooted in the Proto-Indo-European languages spoken thousands of years ago are the Indo-European languages, accounting for the majority of spoken languages in Europe today. These include the Slavic languages – including Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Czech, and Bulgarian – as well as the Germanic languages – including High German, Swedish, and Danish. Also included as Indo-European languages are the Romance languages – French, Spanish, Italian, Latin, etc. – as well as Greek, Armenian, and Baltic languages.

Historically, Europe has been characterised by six linguas francas, spoken cross-culturally and trans-continentally. These are Classical Greek, Koine Greek, Latin, Spanish, French, and English, the latter being the current international lingua franca. The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages protects Europe’s linguistic diversity.

The European Union, a 500-million-strong secular, economic and political body with 27 member states, has a fairly tolerant linguistic attitude, represented by its rule that every official national language is accepted as an official EU language. While new immigrants in European countries are expected to adopt their host country’s native language, many find themselves maintaining their cultural identity through persistence in speaking their native tongue. With the changing face of Europe’s traditionally Christian population, speaking mainly Indo-European languages, to a growing Muslim population, speaking mainly Arabic languages, effects of this remain to be seen.

Europe is home to some 700 million inhabitants, the majority of whom are also part of the European Union (EU). Rooted in a millennium-long history of Christianity across the continent, Europe still maintains a dominance of Christian religions – including Roman Catholicism and Protestantism – while at the same time breeding a growing trans-continent population of Muslims. In the times of the early Middle Ages, Europe experienced Christianisation, yet this was to begin to crumble following the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century. Meanwhile, largely due to migration, the Islamic populations of Europe have been on the rise, leading to a popular reference for the changing face of Europe: Eurabia.

Currently, the countries with a significant Roman Catholic population include Portugal, Spain, France, and Belgium. Those with a significant Protestant population include Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and Switzerland. Meanwhile, countries with a significant Muslim population include Albania, Bosnia, and Turkey. European countries with official religions include Malta, Vatican City, and Greece.

According to recent demographic studies, Europe’s religious orientation is changing from theism (a belief in god) to atheism, and from religious doctrine to secularism or liberal pluralism. In recent years, Europe has seen large numbers of Muslim migration, with the largest Islamic populations in Western Europe located in France, the Netherlands, and Denmark. As for the 500 million-strong EU, this is largely a secular body, which aims to maintain a separation between church and state, and which has no formal connection to any particular religion.

Over the years, Germany has experienced growth and development that has led to various economic opportunities. Since the country plays a big part in business and international trade, it has influenced many people around the globe and led non-Germans to learn the German language. This is where the translation companies enter: offering German translation services. Many people seek these services, to communicate with their business partners and have access to German technology.

German translators assist people in becoming familiar with the language and also with German culture. They aim to build a better understanding of both the professional and personal aspects of the country’s life. Some translation companies specialising in the German language operate their services online, where they offer English to German and German to English translations. Their translators, who are professionals with full knowledge of different fields, conduct translations for acquiring information and enhancing communication skills.

Translations in Germany are necessary in the field of medicine and health. Medical experts, with the assistance of language experts, gather vital information related to treatments and medicines. This information is then translated and used by other people around the globe who are involved in the same field.

Promotions, which are necessary for the introduction of a business, are also one of the main targets of German translations. German translators handle such translations as TV commercials and advertisements in books and magazines, which can help expand a certain business.

German translators serve as a bridge that connects different nations. They also helps people in other ways, such as initiating conversations with foreigners, doing research, creating businesses, and much more.

India, which is often called the mystical land of seductive images, is a sub-continent spanning 2000 miles, from Kerala’s tropical rainforests to the mountain ranges of the Himalayas in the north. It comprises one sixth of the world’s population and has a culture that is rich and diverse.

One of the major attractions visited by tourists in India is the Golden Temple in Delhi; nearby sites contain the monuments of Jaipur and Agra, which depict the legacy of Muslim rule over several centuries. India has a history that is intoxicatingly rich and full of wonders, such as the great cities of Kolkata and Mumbai, which are lively and charming. Other historic places include the Varanasi, which is considered a holy city, and the inspiring and sacred Tamil Nadu temples.

Similar to Europe, India also has relaxing beaches for those who prefer luxurious pleasures. Most of these palm-filled beaches are located in Goa and have a unique quality, plus the charm of European beaches.

India is home to strong religious beliefs, with almost 85 percent of its population practising Hinduism and its religious rites. Significant events relating to religion as well as everyday life are commonly woven into a colourful fabric. Other religious rituals include bathing in the Ganges and the festival of Ganesh, an ear-splitting celebration. However, the caste system creates inequalities, especially between the two groups, Jatis and Varna.

The most fascinating part of Indian culture is the combination of the old and the new. The centuries-old history of the country, covering its civilisation up to the British Raj, mingles with the computer age, making the country more complex and diverse.

Religion, literature, architecture, holidays, sports, poetry, dance, visual arts, music, cinema, history and cuisine comprise American culture, a culture that has developed and been marked by an intermingling of two major roots: its indigenous originality and European principles.

America’s ideals, values, beliefs, arts, customs, innovations and traditions have developed through importation (immigration and colonisation), as well as indigenously. Civil liberties, Christianity and democracy are some of the dominant European ideals and ideas that exist in the United States of America, as well as traditional national holidays, military traditions, arts and entertainment innovations, a sense of national pride among Americans and exceptional sports, which have all developed indigenously. These points incorporate both liberal and conservative elements, scientific and military competitiveness, free expression, morality and materialism, and even political structures.

The Latin American and African-American cultures, which have emerged from ethnic subcultures, are also included. A number of cultural elements (such as popular culture) have spread across the globe through the prevailing mass media. However, some of these cultural elements have remained exclusive to North America. America’s demographic composition isn’t constant; it changes and develops due to an influx of Central Americans, who continue to take shelter in the US, though they often enter illegally. This is because their economic and social conditions are poor at home.

The culture of the United States of America presents several traits that define the US as a whole; these have led to its overall image as one of the most affluent and dominant countries in the world.

Australian culture is essentially the unification of various cultures. It is a country where multiple cultures can be found, forming a comprehensive and liberal society. Australians are mostly of European stock, with a sizeable aboriginal population having its own culture, which includes food, celebrations and customs.

Before Captain James Cook discovered Australia, the Aborigines, or indigenous people of Australia, already inhabited the region. Australian culture commenced with these Aborigines as well as the subsequent incursions of other immigrants from all over the world. Since then, the culture has expanded and become one of the world’s most diverse cultures. The arrival of the English, who claimed Australia for the British Empire, produced Australia’s dominant culture, known as Anglo-Celtic. However, the culture of Australia keeps pace with time and technological advances.

Due to a culture of tolerance and their embracing of variety, Australia has been able to produce an enviable, worldwide prominence. Today, the country is the dwelling place of people who have come from about 200 assorted nations of the world. By promoting the different cultures, contemporary Australian society has emerged. Australia’s culture and society offer all citizens the freedom to express their preferred religion and culture, in keeping with democratic principles. And for the convenience of all of its citizens, Australia adopted English as its official language.

Though the Australian culture began from a rather complex base, the country is presently known to be among the world’s most bountiful nations and it provides an eminently satisfying quality of living.

Canadian culture is a mixture of different influences from other countries and its indigenous culture.  It was mainly influenced by French and British culture, cultural trends in America, and immigrants from other countries. Canada is multicultural and distinct at the same time.

The two main groups that settled Canada were the French and English and this is reflected in the bilingualism of the country. Canadian culture is shown mostly through their artists, including popular writers such as Douglas Coupland, Margaret Atwood, Michael Ondaatje, and Mordecai Richler; musicians such as Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, and Joni Mitchell; and film-makers such as Atom Agoyan, Denis Arcand, and David Cronenberg.

Canadians are fun-loving people who enjoy celebrating festivals. One of the most awaited festivities in the country is the Quebec City Winter Carnival, held in February, which features ice sculptures, parades, snow slides, music, and dancing. There is also a three-week winter festival in Ottawa, called the Winterlude, and music lovers have the Montreal Jazz Festival as well as the Ottawa International Jazz Festival. The most famous festivals held in this country are the International Film Festival in Toronto and the Festival of Music.

Canada has two national sports: ice hockey in the winter season and lacrosse during the summer. Hockey is also called the national pastime and is considered the most popular sport in the country.

Canadian culture involves a society that is open to all without class distinctions. Canadians are proud of the equality that is given to every citizen of the country.

South African culture is like a beautiful abstract painting, surrounded with different disorganised forms and colours in an attractive perspective. The national culture presents differences derived from the influences of African heritage, Asian migration, and British colonialism.

Regardless of the historical and political chaos suffered by this nation, the consciousness and sensitivity of its citizens have led to the development of a multiracial society. Although once considered a weakness, this meshing of cultures has transformed this weakness into a proud portrayal of unity.

The Afrikaaner culture offers some variation among its sub-groups, but they are similar regarding belief in supernatural forces and ancestral spirits. Among the African populations, polygamy is legal and a dowry expected. However, their ancient cultures were lost and the present-day blacks serve as a link to this missing culture. Urban European people were a major influence and they dominated the business and financial sectors of the country. However, they were gradually assimilated by a united South Africa.

The culture also has a pleasant mixture of African and European culinary influences. The urban culture of South Africa includes restaurants that mainly provide European foods. Due to British influence, brandy and beer are the preferred beverages even as wineries are becoming popular around the world.

Music in South African shows a variety of diverse cultural influences. Classical music was adapted to South African heritage, the mix heard at major concerts and theatres in the country. Jazz music has developed as a result of the African and Western combination, which is categorised as Black jazz, Marabi, and Township Jazz.

South African culture offers an exceptionally delightful and unique mixture of traditions. Formerly known as a conflict of cultures, it has now become so harmonious that both tourists and citizens enjoy it.

The United Kingdom’s culture pertains to patterns of human activity and symbolism relating to the long history of the country itself and the British people. The culture of this island nation developed through the union of four distinct countries (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England), which make up the elements, symbolism and customs of the U.K.

The British Empire’s influence spread British culture, including the English language, to other cultures and countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa and other former British colonies. However, movements and innovations in Europe’s culture also affected the UK; Protestantism, Humanism, as well as representative democracy were adopted from the wider Western culture.

The UK offers a distinct artistic heritage, with great musicians, playwrights, poets, filmmakers, sculptors and painters, who are admired and recognised internationally. The UK’s contribution to the visual arts is immeasurable, as it presents astounding paintings, architecture, sculptures and ceramics, which are displayed in various museums and galleries across the world. The UK’s performing arts shouldn’t be overlooked; opera, dance, music and filmmaking are continuously performed with enthusiasm in concert halls, studios and theatres every night all around the country. The country’s rich cultural life arose out of its diverse history, as time has played a significant role in the development of different cultures and races that have influenced the UK. These races and cultures consequently played a vital role in establishing the society that is Britain today.

Britain’s social structure has had an important, central cultural role throughout British history.