America the Baffled: One in Four Americans...

[Kaneman]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

So if I lived in bumfuck Nebraska, and I took classes in Greek, how am I going to discuss shit with anyone? Aint' gonna be any Greek speakers in bumfuck Nebraska. And last I checked there weren't any Greek cable TV channels. I guess you could fuck around on the internet and find something, but that's about it. Personally it wouldn't be worth the effort unless I had near-daily interaction with Greeks, or went to Greece and lived there for a bit.

Avatar is correct in his assessment that language and culture go hand in hand together. I've seen this first hand in my sport, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, where many of the serious practitioners like myself learn about Brazilian language and culture simultaneously. The way Brazilians use Portuguese, the attitude and flow of the language says a tremendous amount about their culture, and can be considered a stepping stone to understanding them as a people.

To learn a language IS to learn about the culture. You're learning how they communicate, which words and values are emphasized and important in their culture. To learn a language without gaining insight into that language's culture would take a good deal of stubbornness and effort.

So, in my case, even though I've never been anywhere near Brazil I have good insight into their culture simply from being around people that speak their language and seeing how they communicate with each other.

[Avatard]

Americans think culture is yogurt.

[OneSickPsycho]

Originally Posted by Avatard

Americans think culture is yogurt.

Mmmmm probiotics... Mmm

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by Kaneman

Avatar is correct in his assessment that language and culture go hand in hand together. I've seen this first hand in my sport, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, where many of the serious practitioners like myself learn about Brazilian language and culture simultaneously. The way Brazilians use Portuguese, the attitude and flow of the language says a tremendous amount about their culture, and can be considered a stepping stone to understanding them as a people.

To learn a language IS to learn about the culture. You're learning how they communicate, which words and values are emphasized and important in their culture. To learn a language without gaining insight into that language's culture would take a good deal of stubbornness and effort.

So, in my case, even though I've never been anywhere near Brazil I have good insight into their culture simply from being around people that speak their language and seeing how they communicate with each other.

If you meet actual Brazilians and interact with them, yes, you will learn about their culture. But if you just pop in a CD or take a class........No.

[Adeptus_Minor]

Originally Posted by Kaneman

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu,

While we're breaking down the language/culture thing, why is it Brazilian "Jiu Jitsu" and not something in Portuguese?

[Avatard]

Adapted from the original Japanese.

[Adeptus_Minor]

Originally Posted by Avatard

Adapted from the original Japanese.

Yeah, but if it's Brazilian, at least give it a new name.

[Avatard]

They did. That's the Brazilian part.

[Adeptus_Minor]

Yeah, not exactly what I was going for, but whatever works I guess.

[Kaneman]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

If you meet actual Brazilians and interact with them, yes, you will learn about their culture. But if you just pop in a CD or take a class........No.

I contend that you can't really learn a language that way. I took 3 years of Spanish, got good grades....don't speak a lick of Spanish and would quickly find myself murdered in Mexico.

Originally Posted by Adeptus_Minor

Yeah, but if it's Brazilian, at least give it a new name.

Jiu Jitsu means "Gentle Art" and the name is integral to the martial art itself. You don't rename Karate or Tae Kwon Do just because its being taught in America and Americans are modifying it. The base martial art and the meaning behind its energy are still the same.

But, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is different enough from its original Japanese counter-part that it is important to distinguish between the two. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can also be called Gracie Jiu Jitsu for the most part.

And now you know motherfucker.