Guidelines for International Gift Giving - Part II

In the last issue of The World Linguist, we shared with you some gift-giving guidelines for perishable gifts. In this issue, we discuss gifts that are non-perishable and how to present them.

Non-Perishable Gifts
Gifts that are representative of your place of origin are usually appreciated and signify that you are presenting your counterpart with a small piece of yourself.

Avoid giving overly expensive, or conversely, very cheap items, so as not to embarrass or insult the receiver. Particular symbolic items should be avoided. In many Asian cultures, a sharp object (such as scissors, a letter opener or knife) may be associated with severing a relationship. Also, to speakers of Cantonese, the words for clock and death are closely related, so to receive a clock or watch as a gift is not a pleasant occasion. For cultures that avoid or revere certain animals, leather gifts from those sources are not appropriate. For instance, never present a Muslim with anything made of pigskin or a Hindu with cowhide.

Presenting international counterparts with humorous gifts should be avoided, since humor does not always translate well and may be misunderstood or even have a negative impact.

Good gifts to give in business relationships can be electronic gadgets and office accessories, such as business card holders, pens or laser pointers. As with other types of gifts, avoid items that the receiver's country might be well known for producing or cheap promotional items with your company's logo.

Presentation of Gifts
Cultures vary in the significance and ritual they place on gift-giving. In the Middle East, gift-giving is considered a gesture of respect and generosity, and gifts should be of high quality and carefully selected. Asian cultures also often ascribe significance to the procedure as well as the gift itself. In China and Singapore, a gift may be refused three times before it is accepted to signify humility and lack of greed.

It is a good idea to carefully wrap gifts in quality paper and present them with some degree of ceremony. Consider color in your selection of wrapping, as blue, black, white and red are some of the colors that may have negative connotations in different parts of the world.

Asian cultures present and receive gifts with both hands. Never use your left hand to give a Muslim or Hindu counterpart a gift as that hand is considered unclean; rather, make the presentation with your right hand or with both hands.

Depending on the culture, it is often advisable to present a gift to the group in business settings rather than an individual to avoid any implication of bribery.

In Latin cultures, a gift is received and opened immediately, whereas some Asian cultures will set it aside to be opened in private, and the same will be expected of recipients of their gifts.

Throughout the world, there are many assumptions connected with gift-giving that reflect the particular culture's traditions and values. While it may seem daunting to sort through the correct protocol, remember that for all, gift-giving is a sign of reciprocal respect and caring. A carefully selected and presented gift will be sure to strengthen your relationship and show your counterpart that you have considered their feelings and respect them as partners or friends.

Language in the News

The Geography of Personality
Nearly 20 years ago, scientists established that combinations of five basic dimensions -- extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness to new ideas and experiences -- account for all personalities. Armed with data resulting from measuring these dimensions, scientists show that personality predicts such important outcomes as health, job performance and academic success. Now the hunt is on for which traits vary geographically and why.
Read the full article . . .

Grammar Rules Universal in Gesturing
A recent test was conducted by the National Academy of Sciences in the U.S. to determine whether the language we speak influences our behavior even when we are not speaking. Speakers of four languages in their predominant word orders -- English, Turkish, Spanish and Chinese -- performed both a communicative task (describing an event by gesturing without speech) and a non-communicative task (restructuring an event without pictures). The test revealed that the word orders speakers used in their everyday speech did not influence their nonverbal behavior.
Read the full article . . .

Russia to Create Cyrillic Internet Domain Names
Russia will be able to create its first Internet addresses using the Cyrillic alphabet next year, according to a communications ministry official in Moscow. The decision to do so was made because some Russians have difficulty using the Latin alphabet and being able to surf the Web entirely in Russian would increase the number of users. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev emphasized the importance of Cyrillic domain names to reinforce the role of the Russian language in the world.
Read the full article . . .

Language/Culture Tips &Resources

Language Crosswords provides a fun and challenging way to refine and improve your foreign language's vocabulary. For the complete beginner or the intermediate student, the automatic randomly generated crosswords are an interesting method for improving one's language skills.

Zon is a unique multiplayer online learning environment designed to teach Chinese language and culture through gameplay. As a Web-based site, Zon provides real-time, on-demand connection to interactive learning activities and authentic cultural information. Zon players are motivated not only by their desire to learn more about Chinese language and culture, but also the ability to interact with engaging story-driven plot lines, interesting characters and fellow players.

The site 1000 images on the tip of my tongue is interactive, and focuses on idiomatic expressions that have the same meaning in French, English and Spanish, but cannot be translated word for word. This trilingual directory provides more than 1,000 idiomatic phrases classified according to theme. Each one is inserted into a short text that illustrates its meaning and contains a digital audio file. Listening to the file allows us to fully understand all the various shades in the pronunciation. The site also includes exercises and games as well as brief, humorous animations, which contribute to the discovery of the fascinating world of colorful expressions.

Upcoming International Events

Learn more about the international events being held in the Triangle during September and October:

Activities and Events
Turkish Cultural Dinner - Sept. 22, 2008
Hosted by the International Affairs Council
Bosphorous Restaurant, Cary, NC

Exhibits
The Importance of Peace - Images from Near and Far by Russell Gorga - Apr. 4 - Ongoing
Miriam Block Gallery, Municipal Building
Raleigh, NC

Dead Sea Scrolls - Jun. 28 - Dec. 28, 2008
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Raleigh, NC

Julie Mehretu:  City Sitings - Aug. 17 - Nov. 30, 2008
North Carolina Museum of Art
Raleigh, NC

El Greco to Velazquez During the Reign of Philip III Art Exhibit - Aug. 21 - Nov. 9, 2008
Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University
Durham, NC

Performances
Greece:  Secrets of the Past (Movie) - Ongoing
Wachovia IMAX Theatre at Marbles Kids Museum
Raleigh, NC

"The Island" by Athol Fugard - Sept. 3 - 13, 2008
Opening Night Fundraiser - Sept. 4, 2008 (to benefit Little Green Pig Theatrical Concern)
Manbites Dog Theatre, Durham, NC

Latin Music Series: Maria Rocha - Sept. 6, 2008
Presented by Durham Parks & Recreation
CCB Plaza, Durham, NC

Ritwik Sanyal: Vocal Music of North India - Sept. 7, 2008
Price Music Center Lecture Series
NC State University, Raleigh, NC

"In the Continuum" by Danai Gurira and Nikkole Salter - Sept. 10 - 14, 2008
PlayMakers Repertory Company
Center for Dramatic Art at UNC, Chapel Hill, NC

September 11 Concerts - Sept. 11, 2008
Town of Cary's Sister Cities Commission
Town Hall Plaza (12 p.m.); Cary Senior Center (2 p.m.); Koka Booth Amphitheatre (4 pm.); and Sertoma Amphitheatre in Bond Park (6 p.m.)
Cary, NC

"The Prisoner's Dilemma" - Sept. 11 - 28, 2008
Burning Coal Theatre Company
Meymandi Concert Hall at Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts
Raleigh, NC

Yo-Yo Ma with the North Carolina Symphony - Sept. 18, 2008
Meymandi Concert Hall at Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts
Raleigh, NC

Laurie Anderson's Homeland Concert - Sept. 18, 2008
Page Auditorium at Duke University
Durham, NC

Carolina Ballet's Artistic Expressions - Sept. 18 - 21, 2008
Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
Raleigh, NC

Tamango and Charlie Hunter: Paris Project - Sept. 19, 2008
Reynolds Theatre in Duke University Bryan Center
Durham, NC

Lise de le Salle Concert - Sept. 20, 2008
Reynolds Theatre in Duke University Bryan Center
Durham, NC

William Shakespeare's "Pericles" - Sept. 24 - Oct. 12, 2008
PlayMakers Repertory Company
Center for Dramatic Art at UNC
Chapel Hill, NC

Lionel Loueke Trio: Karibu Concert - Sept. 25, 2008
Reynolds Theatre in Duke University Bryan Center
Durham, NC

Brit Rock Duet - Control (Movie) - Sept. 26, 2008
North Carolina Museum of Art Outdoor Amphitheatre
Raleigh, NC

I Pagliacci - Sept. 26 - 28, 2008
The Opera Company of North Carolina
AJ Fletcher Opera Theatre at Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts
Raleigh, NC

Dafnis Prieto Sextet - Sept. 27, 2008
Reynolds Theatre in Duke University Bryan Center
Durham, NC

North Carolina Symphony: Spanish Reflections
Los Angeles Guitar Quartet - Oct. 3 - 4, 2008
Meymandi Concert Hall at Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts
Raleigh, NC

History of the Word: Hip Hop Musical - Oct. 3, 2008
Carolina Theatre, Durham, NC

Carolina Ballet's Don Quixote - Oct. 9 - 12, 2008
Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, Raleigh, NC

North Carolina Symphony: Rodrigo's Spanish Concierto - Oct. 10, 2008
Meymandi Concert Hall at Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts
Raleigh, NC

Latin Music Series: Julio Martinez - Oct. 11, 2008
Presented by Durham Parks & Recreation
CCB Plaza, Durham, NC

Penn Masala - Oct. 18, 2008
Herbert C. Young Community Center
Cary, NC

Vivien and the Shadows: Ong Keng Sen/Theatreworks (World Premiere) - Oct. 21, 2008
Carolina Performing Arts
Memorial Hall at UNC, Chapel Hill, NC

"Blue Door" by Tanya Barfield - Oct. 22 - Nov. 9, 2008
PlayMakers Repertory Company
Center for Dramatic Art at UNC
Chapel Hill, NC

The Rite of Spring: Compagnie Heddy Maalem - Oct. 25, 2008
Carolina Performing Arts
Memorial Hall at UNC, Chapel Hill, NC

Borromeo Quartet with tenor Wade Henderson - Oct. 26, 2008
AJ Fletcher Opera Theatre at Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts
Raleigh, NC

Druid Theatre Company - Oct. 29 - 30, 2008
Carolina Performing Arts
Memorial Hall at UNC, Chapel Hill, NC

Festivals and Celebrations
2008 International Festival - Sept. 5 - 6, 2008
Raleigh Convention and Conference Center
Raleigh, NC

La Fiesta del Pueblo - Sept. 6 - 7, 2008
State Fairgrounds, Exposition Center and Jim Graham Building
Raleigh, NC

2008 Greek Festival - Sept. 19 - 21, 2008
State Fairgrounds, Exposition Center
Raleigh, NC

International Food Festival - Sept. 20, 2008
Wendell Park, Wendell, NC

Asian American Health Fair 2008 - Sept. 20, 2008
Colonial Baptist Church, Cary, NC

Durham Art Council's CenterFest Celebration - Sept. 20 - 21, 2008
Historic Downtown Durham, NC

Triangle Uncorked - Sept. 27, 2008
Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park
Cary, NC

Second Annual Oktoberfest - Oct. 2, 2008
Southern Village, Carrboro, NC

13th Annual World Beer Festival - Oct. 4, 2008
Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham, NC

Cary Diwali 2008 - Oct. 11, 2008
Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park
Cary, NC

Conferences and Workshops
Manisha Singh, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Trade Policy - Sept. 15, 2008
Hosted by the International Affairs Council and the Rotary Club of Raleigh
Capital City Club, Raleigh, NC

A Small World: Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands
Book Signing and Networking Lunch with Author Terri Morrison - Sept. 24, 2008
Presented by the International Affairs Council and Triangle International Council of Realtors
Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors, Cary, NC

About The World Company

The World Company provides language learners with the highest quality language training at affordable rates. We offer individualized instruction, group instruction and tutoring for businesses, institutions and private students in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, Russian, and other languages.

Our proficiency-based approach utilizes a variety of learning styles and instructional techniques to achieve the most expedient acquisition for each individual student.

The World Company's qualified and experienced instructors bring to class not only in-depth knowledge of their language, but also a keen understanding of the culture within which it is spoken.

Call (919) 796-2876 or write us and see how we can improve your international communication skills!