GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 194
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
It is often said, “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”. Do you think people should adapt and accept the culture of the country they visit? Also, do you think it is possible to learn a culture without learning the language?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer:
The conventional adage is that when in Rome, do as the Romans do. I, however, entirely agree with the notion that visitors should embrace and respect the customs of the country of destination, and learning the native language plays a vital role in understanding the culture it is associated with.
To start with, tourists ought to accustom themselves to the culture and tradition of the country they tour. The reason why they should adapt to the local culture is that it helps to promote harmony between nations. That is to say that when people have a deep understanding of another culture, they are able to know different worldviews, and can exchange, negotiate and mediate cultural differences. As a result, a sense of harmony is developed around the globe. Not only does this foster harmony, as well as resolves conflicts. Therefore, holidaymakers should respect and follow the cultures of the country they visit.
In my opinion, however, it proves impossible to comprehend a culture without knowing the language. This is because the culture is a language in itself. Language always conveys meanings beyond itself. In fact, the meanings of a particular language manifest the culture of a particular social group. Acquisition of a language, therefore, is not only knowing the alphabet, the meanings, the arrangements of words, the grammatical rules, but it is also gaining knowledge on the behavioural pattern of the society and its cultural norms. Thus, we are unable to understand a culture without learning the language because of their intrinsic relationship.
To recapitulate, tourists should espouse the local culture in order to cultivate harmony, which in turn, will avert conflict. However, I am of the opinion that it is impossible to arrive at the proper understanding of any culture without learning the language due to their intimate connection.
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Do you know the expression “”When in Rome, do as Romans do”? This proverb is a paraphrase of Saint Ambrose’s instructions, who lived in fourth century. “When I am at Rome, – he wrote – I fast on a Saturday; when I am at Milan, I do not. Follow the custom of the church where you are.” Nowadays we say this phrase when we are faced with the established habits and customs.
Going on a journey we try to learn more about the country that we visit.
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We review the weather forecast, the news about the political situation, we take phrasebook but even prepared, we get confused when our gestures are interpreted incorrectly. In the process of communicating with people of different cultures, knowledge of the elements of cultural-specific non-verbal communication is necessary. After all, a sign which for us is considered normal in some countries is an insult. I can give an example of a very common sign – lifting up the thumb.
It is understood differently. The American hitchhikers use it to stop the passing transport. American showing a fist with thumb up wants to say: “everything is good”. But in Europe a fist with thumb is mainly used in another way. If European pulling the hand up and pointing over his shoulder, it means that he is trying to insult you. In some countries, for example in Greece, this gesture means “shut up” so you can imagine the situation of an American, who is trying to catch a lift on the Greek driveway! In Muslim countries, this gesture is obscene, and in Saudi Arabia, twitching the thumb nervously means “get out of here.
”
We can offend not only by gestures, but also violating other people’s customs. Any food which was touched by mouth or by used knife is called on the Nepalese – “jutho” which means “desecrated, polluted. Offering this meal is regarded as an insult.
And this is just one small example, which shows that our customs are different from others. And sometimes we even can not imagine that we can offend other cultures. So, if you are planning to visit a foreign country you mustn’t forget that other country’s customs and culture can be different from yours.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do – that is an English proverb. However, is this proverb true? Should people act this proverb? I guess the question isn’t too difficult to be answered. You don’t have to “do as Romans do” if you want to be disallowed and considered a stupid stranger. Of course, some nationalities are very tolerant, but some will just never accept customs and habits of other nations. It is the truth that I have never been to “Far East” and I have never met any people from these countries, but I believe just these ones are those who are a little orthodox. They behave like this because of their religion. In some countries women aren’t almost considered “real people” – can’t do anything without asking their husband, have to wear a “sheet” over their face and so on. If you went to these countries, they the inhabitants would surely recognize you are a little different. You should act their habits especially in these countries. And of course not only in there.
For example, when you come to the Czech Republic, you should “do as the Czechs do” at least a little. People will always try to accept you, but if you’ll seem to them to “unczech”, they might not like you. We appreciate all the foreigners who learn at least a few Czech words and phrases such as “Good morning!” and those who behave at least a little politely and don’t insult our nation. In my opinion, Czechs are very a tolerant nation (we mostly see no problems in other religions worhiped in the world, homosexuality and other much discussed topics of today’s world). We do our best to better understand the other nations.
It is often a topic of debate that when foreigners travel to a new country, they shall imbibe the rituals and dialects of a place. I am in complete agreement of the statement as there are an array of benefits it provides. Moreover, it is possible to learn the customs and traditions to a certain extent without knowing the speech.
Learning the social pattern of a country helps you prevent any sort of racial discrimination by the residents. When you wear matching attire, jewelry, and footwear it develops a feeling that you are not a foreign national. You are not seen as the odd one out, this fosters a feeling of concern and unity. The chances of disrespect and harassment go away. Furthermore, you get easy access to a lot of facilities like affordable shelter, a wide range of information, and easy access to transport, and many more. For example, when foreign national women visit Saudi Arabia, they often cover their faces with a veil, due for this reason they are not seen with disrespect.
There are a multitude of ways to learn one’s culture even if you don’t comprehend the language skill. You can pay a visit to various cultural sites like Churches, monuments and local museums to understand the history and roots of the community. Moreover, you can also get in touch with the local residents in order to understand the staple diet and likes and dislikes in a particular religion. It is very obvious that a few inhabitants speak some language in common like English, as it is one of the languages that is taught and spoken globally in most of countries.
To conclude, I would say that it is very crucial to adhere to the local traditions of a place you visit, and the possibility of learning one’s custom without knowing the language has a limited scope.
It is
a topic of debate that when foreigners travel to a new country, they shall imbibe the rituals and dialects of a place. I am in complete agreement of the statement as there are an
of benefits it provides.
Moreover
, it is possible to learn the customs and traditions to a certain extent without knowing the speech.
Learning the social pattern of a country
you
any sort of racial discrimination by the residents. When you wear matching attire, jewelry, and footwear it develops a feeling that you are not a foreign national. You are not
as the odd one out, this fosters a feeling of concern and unity. The chances of disrespect and harassment go away.
Furthermore
, you
easy access to
facilities like affordable shelter, a wide range of information, and easy access to transport, and
more.
For example
, when foreign national women visit Saudi Arabia, they
cover their faces with a veil, due
for this reason
they are not
with disrespect.
There are a multitude of ways to learn one’s culture even if you don’t comprehend the
. You can pay a visit to various cultural sites like Churches, monuments and local museums to understand the history and roots of the community.
Moreover
, you can
also
in touch with the local residents in order to understand the staple diet and likes and dislikes in a particular religion. It is
obvious that a few inhabitants speak
in common like English, as it is one of the
that
is taught
and spoken globally in
.
To conclude
, I would say that it is
crucial to adhere to the local traditions of a place you visit, and the possibility of learning one’s custom without knowing the
has a limited scope.
It is often said, “When in Rome, do as Romans do.” Do you think people should adapt and accept the culture of the country that they are visiting? Do you think it is possible to learn a culture without learning the language?
A common saying, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” illustrates the need to merge within a foreign community, when in a foreign land. In my opinion, it is very vital for an individual to be respectful and acceptive of the traditional values of the place, they visit and it will be implausible to appreciate the true essence of an alien land, without the knowledge of the
language
.
For most people, migrating to a new country because of better educational and employment opportunities, the greatest stress is due to the cultural shock.
In other words
, developing an appreciation for the tradition and history of a place can alleviate a significant percentage of stress, that comes with relocation.
For instance
, a recent study published by the UN, studied the immigrant population worldwide and reported that almost three-fifths of the people who felt insecure in a new land, lacked a sense of appreciation and adaptability to the new culture.
Even though some people may hold the belief that it is plausible to be aware of a new culture without knowing the
language
, I’m of the opinion that the essence of the culture lies in the
language
.
Also
, without
this
, it may not be possible to fully decipher the vast cultural history of the place.
For example
, French is spoken in several European countries, but the manner in which it is spoken varies among the nations.
Hence
, for somebody who is alien to French, it may be difficult to comprehend the cultures.
To conclude, I believe in the saying, “When in Rome, do as Romans do.” As far as I’m concerned, to truly appreciate the benefits of a visit to a foreign territory, it is essential that a person spends enough time to learn the
language
.
Moreover
, one has to be open about accepting and adapting to the new cultures.
Mon Aug 12 2019
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- Sentence 1 – Background statement
- Sentence 2 – Detailed background statement
- Sentence 3 – Thesis
- Sentence 4 – Outline sentence
- Paragraph 2 – First supporting paragraph
- Sentence 1 – Topic sentence
- Sentence 2 – Example
- Sentence 3 – Discussion
- Sentence 4 – Conclusion
- Paragraph 3 – Second supporting paragraph
- Sentence 1 – Topic sentence
- Sentence 2 – Example
- Sentence 3 – Discussion
- Sentence 4 – Conclusion
- Paragraph 4 – Conclusion
- Sentence 1 – Summary
- Sentence 2 – Restatement of thesis
- Sentence 3 – Prediction or recommendation
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