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Culture and language
To access a culture, language is the key. You cannot fully understand a culture without speaking its language. This is because the values and worldview of a particular cultural group are embedded within their language use. For example, highly individualistic cultures often use "I" statements, while collectivistic cultures would use "we" and "our" more frequently.
Intercultural scholars have posited two worldviews that divide Western and non-Western cultures. These are the linear worldview and the relational worldview. In a linear worldview, rational or analytic thinking based in objective reality is valued. In a rational worldview, holistic, or connected, thinking is valued as stemming from a contextual reality.
In a linear worldview language system, data or models and theories are emphasized as the root of an argument. Two common reasoning patterns predominate, inductive and deductive. The difference lies in the organization of the argument. In an inductive style, facts and figures are presented first, leading up to proving a claim. This is the style of argumentation practiced in the U.S. court system, for example.
In deductive reasoning, the claim is made at the beginning of the argument, with the remainder of the presentation backing up that claim. Some European (for example, France) and Eastern European (for example, Russia) reasoning systems rely on this pattern.
In a relational worldview, the importance of concerns about relational loyalty and trust, extended family connections, and in-group member dignity and honor dominate reasoning processes. In addition, the idea of the spiral reasoning style is common. This style can be dramatic or subtle. For example, many Arabic cultures use a dramatic reasoning style, replete with effusive metaphors, stories, parables, and a variety of flowery adjectives to make and support a point. Image is often emphasized over digital content and form over function within conversation.
Conversely, many Asian and Native American cultures may prefer the understated spiral reasoning style, which includes subtlety, implication, reservation, and tactful nonverbal cues to convey an intended meaning.
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