Exploring the Evolution and Nuances of Culture

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The term culture has a wide range of meanings, because it has been changing continuously. Thus, the meaning similar to 'cultivating' may be found in words such as viviculture, agriculture, and horticulture. In the sixteenth century 'cultivating' was a description of the way of taking care of body through training. Later on it became the non-physical aspect of a person. Since the nineteenth century, the meaning is broadened and includes the general state of human intellectual, aesthetic, and spiritual development. Giving rise to the 'artistic works and practices' refers to movie, theater, painting, and music (Bowe 2007: 2). At the beginning of its existence, 'culture' was a noun referring to the way a person's beliefs and knowledge were formed …show more content…

Language is more than just spoken and written words. When two people do not speak a common language and are obliged to use an interpreter in order to understand each other, non-verbal communication is the only direct method possible and contact for individuals to take a direct read of each other. By not understanding the cultural context in which non-verbal communication appears we run the risk of not only failing to read our co-worker but of sending the entirely wrong signal. This also may occur when two people speak almost the same the same language. For example, in the following situation between an American businesswoman and a British …show more content…

Aspects, such as language, religion, laws, and customs are passed from generation to generation. A society's view of authority, morals and ethics is able to manifest itself while dealing with a potential business partner, negotiating a contract, and presenting how an individual does business. An ability to understand a cultural context and mindset of a potential foreign business partner or competitor can help to develop sound strategy for negotiations and deal-making. Thus something that once appeared inscrutable may start being more foreseeable and become our advantage (Mitchell 2009:

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