Culture Diversity in German Speaking Countries

1. Culture Diversity in German Speaking Countries “Verbal and non-verbal communications” By: Chelsea Gobourne

2. GermanyGestures • When you are pointing at an object you use you little finger. • As a child when counting the thumb is considered to be the number one. • In public there is little to no touching people. (Like America) • To greet someone Germans either give each other a kiss on the left and right cheek or give a firm handshake. • Vocal qualities (volume, pitch, or tone) show authority if someone is loud.

4. AustriaPromote Diversity • The U.N wants the Austrian Government to take the ways of life for minority groups into consideration. • The U.N feels that the best way for Austria to mainstream cultural diversity and heritage is to incorporate minority cultures and histories in the school system. • The Romani language (spoken in Central and Eastern Europe) has been incorporated in some schools (way of promoting diversity). • Bilingual education is rare in Austria. For students to be taught these languages depends solely on their teacher(s). • Cultural identity or rights aren’t a main focus for German countries such as Austria. Culture/heritage is mostly taught in America.

6. SwitzerlandLanguage & Literature • Swiss German dialects represent high social prestige among Swiss Germans (Regardless of education level or social class, Swiss Germans are considered to be different from Germans). • The Italian region is bilingual, French is spoken. • In German literature there is an absence of fatalism. • Literature is based off of exploration and observation in the lives of humans on a daily basis. • Authors such as Elsschot start their novels describing ordinary people in ordinary situations but then gradually include mystery and weird coincidences that are parallel to the world/reality.

8. Quiz Questions • What are the two ways Germans greet one another? • Besides German and Italian, what other language is spoken in the Italian region?

9. Quiz Answers • Firm handshake or kiss on both cheeks • French

10. Sources • http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Switzerland.html • http://www.pespmc1.vub.ac.be./BelgCul2.html • http://www.andrews.edu/~tidewell/bsad560/NonVerbal.html • http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1104/s00428/expert-urges-austria-to-promote-cultural... • http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/16/germans-sensitive-names-children-teased • http://caroltownend.blogspot.com/2010/09/new-german-edition.html • http://bobbyobama.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/5-non-verbal-communication/ • http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Switzerland.html • http://www.pespmc1.vub.ac.be./BelgCul2.html • http://www.andrews.edu/~tidewell/bsad560/NonVerbal.html • http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1104/s00428/expert-urges-austria-to-promote-cultural... • http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/16/germans-sensitive-names-children-teased • http://caroltownend.blogspot.com/2010/09/new-german-edition.html • http://bobbyobama.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/5-non-verbal-communication/

11. http://www.blogwiese.ch/archives/1383