Nomothetic
When learning any new language, one synonymously learns another culture as well. From a young age, I constantly learned about new languages and cultures through my elementary school. Unbeknownst to me at the time, not all elementary schools provided the options of learning about new languages and cultures like mine did. Now that I am older, I realize how close-minded people can be. People tend to base their opinions on things they know and don't always seek out more information that what is given to them. When I think of the word "nomothetic", what comes to mind is not only the idea of what I would consider a nomothetic word or statement, but what others may have concerning my life.
Although it was not until a few days ago that I knew the meaning of this word, my first real encounter with this idea was when I was ten. It was my first time to travel without the comfort of my family when my class did an exchange program with an elementary school in France. We lived with host families and attended classes for a month. Of course you wonder what things are going to be like when you visit a new place, but having been taught by native French speakers, I had been introduced to much of the French lifestyle with things such as food, traditions, teaching styles, etc. The moment most marking to my life in regards to this term was when I had a student in my class ask me, "Do you ride horses to school and live in teepees?" To me, this was such a ridiculous notion. How did he not know that we lived in houses and drove cars everywhere? At the time, I didn't think much of it and of course politely told him how things really were. It is humorous to reflect on how surprised he was of this news.
Today, being around so many people of varying backgrounds and ages, it is interesting to see the multitude of the abstract ideas people hold of others and of other cultures. As much as I try, I am sure I fall subject to this from time to time, but I try to keep myself well informed. I would not want someone assuming or passing judgement on me while only have an abstract idea of who I am, and therefore want to do the same for others. Being as involved with the language world as I am, I would love for people to be more away with this idea of being nomothetic.
Randi,
ReplyDeleteI like how you describe your experience of being subjected to another culture's assumptions about your own culture. Even though, like you, I was always taught that it's neither fair nor accurate to make the sort of nomothetic assumptions about people of other cultures that your French classmate made about you, you can't appreciate how just how ridiculous such assumptions are until you've had one directed at you. When I taught English in France last year, I was surprised by what a limited concept of the United States many of my students had. They were always asking me if I knew Walker Texas Ranger, as if it were the funniest joke ever. I tried to have a good sense of humor about but it was hard to face their superficial view of me day after day. But it did drive home for me that like you say, I want to be well-informed and open minded so that I don't make other people feel judged and trivialized in that way. I know you said you were exposed to French culture at school before you went to France, but were any of your assumptions about France challenged while you were there?
Kate,
DeleteI am glad, and sad, at the same time that it wasn't only me who had such an experience with close-minded foreigners. I think people like to take credit away from Americans first on being the most close-minded; however I don't feel that this is true.
In regards to were any of my assumptions challenged while I was there, that is a difficult one for me to answer. I went for my first time at such a young age that it is difficult for me to really remember what preconceived notions I may have had before leaving. I will say though that some experiences I encountered were very eye-opening for me. The way the teachers were much stricter on the students was a big one for me. So as for was I challenged, I can't quite answer that.
People are very close minded because if it doesn’t directly involve them, what’s the point of spending time “learning” from it? …Sad truth I have come to. Along this, people only see what they choose to see, read, and watch. An example of this is programming on television. Many stereotypes can be directly attributed to television shows that people watch. Television shows need to be engaging and interesting and over simplifying and exaggerating a stereotype is an easy way to do this. The example that you used of riding horses to school and living in teepees is a prime example of this. Children are very guilty of stereotypes because of their short attention span. Everything they do has to completely engross them or else they will not pay attention. With this, I bet they “learned” this stereotype from a program that they had watched for entertainment instead of information. Stereotypes can easily be broken by reading, watching, and listening to multiple sources, but to come back to my opening statement, who wants to do that when it doesn’t directly affect them?
ReplyDeleteAshley,
DeleteI agree. It is very unfortunate but a lot of people are close minded. The sad thing is the fact that if people would be more open minded, life would be so much easier and probably happier. Also, I whole-heartedly agree with the fact that most stereotypes are derived from highly unreliable sources (movies, television, etc). Children are very guilty but it's not really their fault. Parents should do a better job at preventing or correcting these stereotypes so as not to repeat the cycle. I agree with your question, is it really in anyone's place to correct someone else? Definitely not. Hopefully, I can just do what I can to prevent that with those around me and hope it can change a few people's minds.
This is such a great point you are making Randi.Most adolescents and young adults tend to be closed minded on topics on cultural background, they cannot familiarize themselves with. For instance, some students tend to ask why they have to study a foreign language in college. However, at the first day of class, when they are asked to introduce themselves, the state their majors which include; International relations, Broadcasting,Communication, Political Science, Political Science, Public Policy, History and the Science. If students are not exposed to a Foreign language how will they be able to succeed in their field? For Instance if a journalist finds themselves in Spain to cover a program, it will be necessary to have a background information as well as a little knowledge of the local language.
ReplyDeleteNii, I like your perspective also because you have been in multi
DeleteRandi,
ReplyDeleteI remember hearing this story and immediately thinking of something else I had heard before (or maybe it was a cartoon? I dunno, it was funny) of someone's views of America being divided equally in three: Hollywood, Texas, and New York. I think every culture has certain stereotypical ideas of others. So I guess we're all in cowboy land? This is an interesting take on the theme of nomothetic in that we saw a nomothetic idea someone had about you. We try to avoid making incorrectly nomothetic statements about our target cultures, and to study them and teach them as accurately as possible. Others do too, I am sure. I'd like to think that you helped your classmate by providing the accurate information, and hopefully inspiring to be more aware and educated on the unknown.
Katie,
DeleteYou started this post so awesomely, just so you know! You are, however, correct when you say that the US is divided into three main parts. I mean I could understand foreigners having problems with the New England states or say South Dakota; however we are made up of more. With that being said, we have more culture and ways about us besides tepees, skyscrapers and hippies.
I have to chuckle at the teepees comment... When i was younger, I sadly asked a young woman from the Cote d'Ivoire if she lived in a grass hut... !! What we think of in our youth.
ReplyDeleteI often get people ask me questions about Ghana; such as if we have swimming pools etc...
ReplyDelete