In today’s world culture is becoming more relevant as more areas become multicultural. The basic understanding of cultures outside of ones own has become imperative. In a multicultural society the basic understanding of other cultures is beneficial to all parties involved. The understanding of culture can display a sign of respect and open doors to new societal relationships. According to the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition [CARLA], culture is defined as “the shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructs and understandings that are learned by socialization” (What is culture section, para. 1 2014, May). France is a country with many unique attributes when it comes to their culture. The characteristics of culture can be long and go into extreme depth, the five discussed here according to (Ajay Bhatt, 2012, characteristics of culture section) culture is social, shared, learned, trans-missive as well as continuous and cumulative.
The conclusion of this reading will assist in a more extensive comprehension and understanding about the French culture and some of its very unique history. The first characteristic to be discussed will be the social aspect. During one’s human life socialization becomes natural during life’s course. The social portion of culture is a natural product of human life and interaction. As humans develop in their everyday lives their ability to develop social interactions naturally increases in most instances. Humans do not have the ability to learn or embrace culture without interaction with others (Bhatt, 2012, characteristics of culture section). A paramount in the French cultural is the great pride taken in their country. Most of the French are offended when negative comments are made regarding their country. This directly relates into the social aspect as this trait is shared with social interactions among French citizens. Two very important complimentary topics that directly relate to the social realm are passion and romance which the French embody fully.
According to France’s National Research Agency on AIDS, even the country’s top politicians have been known to carry out extramarital affairs without making an effort to conceal them. Another very prominent social aspect shared within the French culture and across the globe is the French language. French is the second most learned foreign language in the world. Culture is not simply already known it must be learned. The possession of pride in and the love of an individual’s culture also adds to sharing your culture with your children. In multiple countries with today’s technological advances culture can also be learned and can be almost self-taught via the internet. Culture being social, shared, and is learned, combined qualifies as trans-missive. Trans-missive is defined as the act or process of transmitting.
A major example of Japanese cultural is known as Omotenashi. Omotenashi means every service is from the bottom of the heart – honest, no hiding, no pretending. When the Japanese welcome you as a guest Omotenashi will be felt at restaurants, hotels, business, and households alike. As a guest in a Japanese home you will often be served what is known as the “kaiseiki”. The kaiseiki is a multi-dish traditional meal. This meal often consists of six to fifteen types of food prepared in honor of their guests. Culture is shared between those of many nations. It is also shared between many cultures. Thus being a major factor contributing in many of the worlds cultures sharing traditions and having multiple similarities. Japan, known as the Land of the Rising Sun, a country made up of mountainous islands located in eastern Asia between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan.
The two major religions of the region are Shinto and Buddhism. There are 14 languages spoken in Japan with Japanese being the primary. Japan also speaks their own version of sign language known as Japanese sign language. The Japanese culture and religion is rich in history and traditions. War and conflict is no stranger to the people of Japan. One of the most infamous wars known as The First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) was Japan’s first overseas war after she came out of isolation in the 1860s, and saw the rapidly modernized Japanese armed forces inflict an embarrassing defeat on less successfully modernized Chinese forces. Most of the fighting took place in Korea and Manchuria, although the Japanese also invaded Shantung province and several islands, and there were important battles at sea. Early in 1895 the Chinese went onto the attack, and launched a fierce attack on the Japanese at Hai-ch’eng. This attacked ended in failure and the Japanese were victorious.
In closing Japan is one and the same with other Nations and cultures. The Japanese take pride in their culture and are extremely dedicated as well. Ultimately, the most undesired portion of all cultures that is the least desirable to many is war. Having ravaged most of our world for centuries. Unfortunately it will continue to be the demise of many cultures and nations for the remainder of the world’s existence. The information comprised of here has not only focused on the change in culture but has also displayed a pattern of the most undesirables such as war. No matter what your religion, faith, beliefs or culture is the one thing our world’s nations have in common is the most negative of all possibilities, war. Culture if harnessed correctly and applied has the power to change this pattern, the people however are the connection to the application and to stand behind their individual beliefs in culture in order to facilitate change.
References
- Bhatt, A. (2012). What are the important characteristics of Culture? Retrieved from
- http://www.preservearticles.com/201101173455/characteristics-of-culture.html
- Dictionary.com Unabridged (2015). Dictionary.com
- websitehttp://www.dictionary.com/browse/transmissive
- First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895). (n.d.). Retrieved June 29, 2018, from http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/wars_first_sino_japanese.html
- Japan. (n.d.). Retrieved June 29, 2018, from https://www.ethnologue.com/country/JP/languages
- Japanese Kaiseki (Traditional Dinner). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/japanese-kaiseki/
- Proctor, M. (2018, May 23). Omotenashi: Japanese Hospitality and Etiquette. Retrieved June 28, 2018, from https://takelessons.com/blog/omotenashi-japanese-hospitality-and-etiquette-z05
- Rickard, J (31 October 2013), First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895), http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/wars_first_sino_japanese.html
- The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (2014, May). What is Culture?
- Retrieved from http://carla.umn.edu/culture/definitions.html
- French Culture: Customs & Traditions. (n.d.). Retrieved January 25, 2020, from https://www.livescience.com/39149-french-culture.html
