Different English, Different Reactions, Different Cultures

Luis Gonzalez Minaya
English 112
September 1, 2017

Different English, Different Reactions, Different Cultures

           Cultural diversity is one of the aspects that make New York City so spectacular. It is as many backgrounds, languages, and beliefs. As a result, people here have their own way in which they speak English. Based on situations I have experienced, the different ways in which we speak English will affect us positive or negative depending on our background and the people around us.

           My name is Luis Gonzalez and I come from The Dominican Republic. I am saying this because I think my background has something to do with the way I speak to others Also with my culture. In my country, we speak with direct phrases to express what we think, and that is normal to us. However, here I have to be careful with my tone and vocabulary because others might address it as aggressive or insulting. For example, I work as a lab-tech, one professor asked me to help a student formatting an essay because the margins were wrong, but the essay was ok and I said, "No, no, it is good!" I did not mean to be rude, but this clearly upset the professor. She reported me, saying that I was being disrespectful towards her in class. The opposite happens with my co-worker and friend Mohammad Ali, who came from Jordan. With him, things are different because he is more cautious when he is speaking. In similar situations, he will say things like, "Excuse me, professor. The margins are good, I think—but let me check again." I perceived these differences. My English only allows me to express ideas in a direct and short way. In contrast, Ali's English has its issues but is subtle, always trying not contradicting what others say.

          Nonetheless, my English works better in some situations. In order to communicate, we have to be direct sometimes. For instance, once he needed to change his work schedule, and he asked me what to do. I simply said, "Go to our superiors and tell her that you need to change it." Nevertheless, he was too shy. Because of that, he was trying to use a subtle approach to say what he wanted, "Hi, boss. Look, I am having issues at home. My father needs me to help him at the grocery store. He needs me sometimes in the morning, and sometimes in the evening, and..." My boss interrupted him, "Ali," She said after a brief pause, "Do you want to change your work schedule?" "ehhhh—ye—Yes!" he finally said. "Ok sweetie no problem, just tell me what schedule works for you," she said. After that, I was talking with her and the conversation with Ali came up again, "Why didn't he just tell me what he wanted to do?" she asked me, "It would make things easier."

          Based on these experiences, I can say that the reactions of people towards the way Ali and I use English might be good or bad depending on each person. Some people are more sensitive than others are when it comes to communication. Some like to get a direct answer, but many others are just the opposite. According to Peterson cultural scale of Direct versus indirect has the direct people are less concerned about how something is said, moreover they openly confront issues or difficulties, also "they engage in conflict when is necessary". However, indirect people prefer to how it said not what is said, also they avoid conflict and avoid any kind of issue.( Werner)

Work Cited
Mischke, Werner. 25 Nov. 2009, wernermischke.org/2009/11/25/understanding-the-culture-scale-directindirect-through-the-lens-of-honor-shame/.