Can't Translate Culture

written by Bill Teach


We have to be aware that when speaking another language a cultural aspect of the language should also be adopted. Meaning that sometimes it is not enough to translate words from one language into another, but to understand the way the people who speak the language think.

A very good example is the way we ask for things here in Brazil. If we want to ask for a favor, it is not necessary to say ‘please’ at the end or the beginning of each request. We simply switch our intonation to the ‘pleading mode’ almost as if we were pouting. However, in English it doesn’t matter who you are dealing with, ‘please’ is a must.

Sometimes awkward and funny situations may take place. For instance: Once, a friend of mine (who happened to be a girl) was approached by a good-looking guy at a subway station in downtown Toronto. He gently asked her whether she had got the time. She immediately blushed and said: ‘Sorry I have a boyfriend’. Of course, the guy walked away. The thing is that in her culture, the question meant whether she was available for him.

My advice is: observation - take some of your free time to watch English Speaking TV programs, movies and, of course, reading is always good.

You are welcome to make any comments. If you wish to ask for any specific tip, let me know.

Have a nice week!