Around the world there are a number of traditions that form part of the culture

08.11.202321.08.2022 admin 0 Comments

Around the world there are a number of traditions that form part of the culture

Решу ЕГЭ и Незнайка объединились

и запустили свои курсы ЕГЭ в Тик-Ток формате. Никаких скучных видео, только залипательный контент!

Вариант 10

Раздел 1. Аудирование

Вы услышите 6 высказываний. Установите соответствие между высказываниями каждого говорящего A—F и утверждениями, данными в списке 1—7. Используйте каждую букву, обозначающую утверждение, только один раз. В задании есть одно лишнее утверждение. Вы услышите запись дважды. Занесите свои ответы в поле справа.

1. Not having to visit doctors is being somewhat healthy.

2. It’s important to reduce stress to be healthy.

3. To be healthy, you have to be thin.

4. To look healthy is not to be healthy.

5. To be in good health one needs to be active.

6. To be healthy one needs to use cosmetics.

7. To stay healthy you need a balance of mind and body.

Вы услышите диалог. Определите, какие из приведенных утверждений A—G соответствуют содержанию текста (1 — True), какие не соответствуют (2 — False) и о чем в тексте не сказано, то есть на основании текста нельзя дать ни положительного, ни отрицательного ответа (3 — Not stated). Вы услышите запись дважды.

A. Mike has been ill for a month.

B. Mike’s classmates have paid him long visits.

C. Mike loves watching TV.

D. Mike found a very interesting program on TV.

E. Jane had an easy day at school.

F. Mike enjoys watching informative programs.

G. Jane doesn’t agree to watch a quiz show on TV.

Вы услышите интервью. В заданиях 3—9 выберите цифру 1, 2 или 3, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа. Вы услышите запись дважды.

1. Shakespeare’s death.

2. discovering America.

3. settling in the New World.

Why did American colonists borrow words from natives for geographical names.

1. They were easy to pronounce.

2. It helped to communicate with natives.

3. They found it handy and useful.

How did the English language grow in colonial times?

1. It spread among natives.

2. It gained words from local languages.

3. It became the mother tongue for colonies.

Which of the following is TRUE about the English word “dog”?

1. It has a less popular synonym.

2. Its origins are very interesting.

3. It came from an African colony.

What, according to Sally, is one of the ways for new words to appear in English?

1. Putting words together.

2. Expansion of meanings of borrowed words.

3. Shortening of existing words.

What does Sally Smith say about the word “radar”?

1. No one knows where the word came from.

2. lt’s an acronym.

3. It’s а borrowed foreign word.

Why is it difficult to count the exact number of English words?

1. Many of them have several meanings.

2. No one counts scientific words.

3. New words appear every day.

Раздел 2. Чтение

1. Women doing men’s jobs

3. Ideal to grow a man

4. A costume for a mythic sea creature

5. The best profession for a lady

6. A festival to a season

7. Words for all times

8. Best clothes for burial

A. Mary is a professional dress-maker specializing in exotic costumes. She devotes many hours to crafting mermaid tails and hand-made tops. Her professional mermaid costume includes a tail and a top. A tail is made of the finest silicone that bends naturally with movement and looks beautifully on film and in print. Out of the depths of the water her costume shines with hundreds ot pearls, crystals, and gemstones.

B. Today’s well-educated person uses about 18,000 words. Shakespeare, whose plays written for a small theatre are now performed in more countries than ever before, used over 34,000 different words, thousands of which he made up. For example: accessible, roadway, schoolboy, and watchdog. Many of his phrases have fallen into everyday use in our language today, including, “A horse, a horse! My kingdom for a horse!’’ by Richard III.

C. The Celtic division of the year was into two parts. The winter half was considered the beginning of the year, and the summer half the second part. There were two further subdivisions. so the year was finally divided into the standard four seasons. At each of these four stages, a Fire Festival was celebrated. It involved religious ceremonies, music, storytelling, and poetry. These great festivals were regarded to be the best time.

D. As symbols of respect and courage, knights turned out to be an intriguing mix of all the things that made males the best, as their education included the most effective sorts of exercises for the brain and the human body. Knight tournaments were a good way for the knights to try out the actual travails of fighting and never having to go through the pain and troubles of having to look after themselves, and of their kingdoms.

F. Russia is an amazing holiday destination. It should be visited during the festival season, as it reveals the rich cultural tradition and fascinating customs of its people. While the festivals come from the Christian legacy Russia shares with Europe and America, the manner of celebration is unique. Enthusiastic travelers suggest planning a Russian holiday during the festival time and to be sure that the memories will last a lifetime!

G. Normally very fine textiles are found in graves. Obviously, the quality of clothing worn in the Middle Ages would reduce with lower ranks, but even the slaves did not wear cloth as rough as people thought in the past and some still do today. Slaves would probably wear their master’s clothes, which may have been very thin in places and not decorated. They would usually receive the underclothes to be worn as overclothes.

Прочитайте текст и заполните пропуски A-F частями предложений, обозначенными цифрами 1-7. Одна из частей в списке лишняя.

1. when studying and can help to start memory

2. who struggle to learn foreign languages

3. had no experience of learning this

4. have experience of remembering words

5. who had used the «listen and sign» approach

6. can barely order a simple drink while abroad

7. facilitate verbatim memory for foreign languages

Research found that adults who sang wools or short phrases from a foreign language while learning were twice as good at speaking it later, It is thought that by listening to words that are sung, and by singing them back, die technhjuc takes advantage of the strong links between music and memory.

Although not clearly understood, music is known to help students В ______ recall.

Dr Overy said singing could lead to new approaches to learning a foreign language. She said: «Most people C ______ from songs they have heard and songs are sometimes used by language teachers widi young children.»

Dr Overy and her colleagues used recordings of Hungarian words to teach 60 adults. They chose Hungarian as the participants D ______ language.

The participants either listened to words that were spoken and then had to repeat them back, much like a standard teach-yourself tape, or the words were said rhythmically or sung.

After a 15-minute learning period, they were then given several tests to see how well they had learned the words. Those E ______ scored highest. They were also better at recalling the words correctly in tests of long term memory. Interestingly, they did not sing the words when they recalled them.

Dr Ludke said the findings could help those F ______.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12—18, обводя цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую номеру выбранного вами варианта ответа.

L. L. Zarnenhof grew up in the late 1800s in Warsaw, which was a part of Russia at that time. While still in high school he set out to design a universal artificial language that would facilitate communication within his linguistically diverse community. By the time he finished this side projec t ten years later, Zamenhof was a practicing ophthalmologist. In 1887, Zamenhof published the first guide in RUssian to the new language, which he called “Lingvo Internacia”, meaning “international language». Zamenhоf wrote the textbook under the pseudonym “Esperanto,” meaning »a person who is hoping» in Lingvo Internacia. Fans of the language decided that “Esperanto” had a nicer ring to it, and they soon adopted it as the informal name of the language.

The vocabulary of Esperanto will have a familiar ring to anyone who knows a European language, as roots were borrowed from French, German, and Spanish, among other languages. For examples: »bona» means »good» ; »porko» means “pig”; “filo” means “son”; “hundo” means “dog.” One could argue that this selection represents not so much cultural neutrality as Euro-neutrality, but this hasn’t prevented Esperanto from becoming popular in China and some other parts of Asia.

For all its merits, Esperanto has not reached the level of acceptance its creator foresaw more than a century ago. There may be as many as two million people who speak Esperanto with at least a moderate level of proficiency, but probably no more than a few hundred who learned Esperanto at home as their first language and no known speakers over the age of three or so who speak only Esperanto. Ironically, the cultural neutrality that is touted as such a benefit of the language also serves to limit its growth, because languages tend to spread with the cultures that gave rise to them. Alas, unless or until the number of Esperanto speakers reaches a larger critical mass, it will be of little value as a trade language, and without a clear value, it will be difficult to convince people to learn it.

1. be similar to the mother tongues of the majority of speakers.

2. be based on cultural and historical traditions.

3. have clear grammatical rules and exceptions.

4. be simple and culturally neutral.

1. it was his school home assignment.

2. he wanted to improve communication in his multilingual environment.

3. it was an important requirement for his job.

4. he had problems with studying Russian in Warsaw.

1. name of the new language.

2. pen-name of the new language designer.

3. title of the book about the new language.

4. name of the place where the new language was designed.

1. grammatical system of Esperanto is easy.

2. Esperanto is easier for the speakers of English.

3. Esperanto has a simple phonetic system.

4. the new words in Esperanto are built up by joining words.

According to the text, Esperanto represents Euro-neutrality because it is.

1. designed for the Europeans.

2. based on European culture.

3. based on different European languages.

4. designed to be used within Europe.

20 Fascinating Cultural Traditions Around the World

Updated 2022

Each society in the world has its own cultural traditions that identify their heritage and makes them uniquely different. But some people, especially those new to a foreign country expect the locals to act and behave as they do.

Like language, cultural traditions identify a person’s heritage. Cultural traditions and customs are ingrained in a person. They are practices and beliefs that are learned since birth. Thus, people from another country should not think that what they consider sensible and polite behavior, facial expressions, hand gestures, and cultural practices in their country are perceived similarly in another.

Unique Cultural Traditions Around the World

In order not to be considered disrespectful or rude when you’re visiting another country, learn some of the unique cultural traditions and customs around the world.

1. Choose the Flowers You Give to a Russian

If you have Russian business associates or friends, be careful of the flowers you give them. Avoid flowers with yellow colors as they represent a break-up of a relationship or deceit. Red carnations are taboo as well because these are flowers presented to veterans who survived the war and on the graves of those who have left this earth.

2. Be Careful of What you Give to Chinese Colleagues

While China has opened its doors to the West, the cultural traditions of the Chinese will never be erased. They are one of the oldest civilizations in the world, so you have to understand that their cultural traditions were developed for millennia and handed down from generation to generation. The majority of the Chinese are superstitious as well and attach meanings to various things. When presenting your Chinese friends with flowers, avoid using white, which they associate with ghosts and death. In the United States, white flowers symbolize innocence and purity. Likewise, avoid flowers with thorny stems. Other things that are not good gifts for the Chinese are:

3. Don’t Ask for Salt When Dining in Egypt

In many cultures, like the United States, it is all right to ask for salt to add to your food. But if you are dining with friends and colleagues in Egypt, keep in mind to avoid asking for salt. It is taken as an insult to the host, as Egyptians take it to mean that you are repulsed by the taste of the meal served to you.

4. A Question of Being Punctual

The value of being on time depends on the country. In Venezuela, it is actually a norm to arrive about 10 to 15 minutes late for a dinner invitation. Being early for the Venezuelans means the person is either overly eager or greedy. Americans are a stickler for punctuality, just like the Germans, South Koreans and the Japanese. It’s incredible how in Malaysia, being five minutes late (which can actually extend to 60 minutes) is acceptable and you do not need to apologize, too. What’s extreme is how meeting at the exact time is immaterial in Morocco, where it is totally all right to be late for an hour or an entire day! It’s fine for the Chinese if you are late for 10 minutes while Mexicans and Greeks will excuse you if you arrive 30 minutes after the appointed time.

5. Mind your Table Manners in Norway

In some cultures, it is acceptable to eat food with your bare hands. But as etiquette would have it, it is often required that you use utensils such as a spoon and fork, chopsticks, or spoon, knife and fork when having a meal. Be sure to brush up on how to eat with a knife and fork before you travel to Norway. In this Scandinavian country, even sandwiches are eaten using a fork and a knife.

6. “No” to Sharp Objects

The cultural traditions of the Netherlands and China are vastly different. But in one thing, they are very similar and that is in the receiving gifts that are pointed and sharp, such as scissors and kitchen knives. Do not forget this – giving pointed and sharp objects to your friends or colleagues in the Netherlands (and in China) is a big no-no. For the Dutch, sharp objects are considered unlucky gifts, while for the Chinese, it means you want to break or cut ties with them.

7. Losing a Tooth in Greece

For many cultures, children are told to keep their baby teeth under their pillow and the Tooth Fairy will give them money in exchange for their teeth. But Greek children are told to toss their tooth onto their roofs. The cultural tradition is meant for the child to have a healthy tooth as well as good luck to the family.

8. Say Cheers BUT Don’t Clink Glasses in Hungary

It’s almost customary when sharing a drink especially when there is a celebration to say cheers and clink your glasses. But the traditional practice is not done in Hungary. You see, Hungarian forces were severely and savagely defeated during their war with Austria in 1849 and they witnessed Austrian generals celebrating the occasion by drinking beer and clinking their glasses. Hungarians swore not to clink their glasses when having a drink for 150 years. The vow ended in 1999 but a majority of Hungarians continues the cultural tradition.

9. Choose the Right Occasion to Discuss Business in Bolivia

If you are in Bolivia to discuss business and your time is limited, it will still be considered rude to discuss business during a dinner party or any social occasion. Bolivians believe that a dinner is for improving personal relationships. If you are invited to a business lunch or dinner, do not bring up the topic of business on the table, unless your Bolivian host is the first to bring it up. Otherwise, simply savor the meal and foster better relations with your Bolivian host by talking about family.

10. Don’t Try to ”Go Dutch” in Turkey

In some cultures, it is acceptable to split the meal tab even if the lunch or dinner is given in your honor, but this is not acceptable when you are in Turkey. Offering to pay for half of the meal is considered polite, but your host will be offended if you insist. It is all right to reciprocate by inviting your host to a follow-up meal so you can have your turn to pay for the lunch or dinner.

11. Avoid Using Red Ink for Writing Names of Your Friends in South Korea

Pen inks come in a wide array of colors and sometimes it is fun to use them to make colorful doodles, drawings and whatever. For some people, it does not matter what ink color you use to write their names with, as long as their names are spelled correctly. For South Koreans however, you can use other colors except red because for them red ink symbolizes death.

12. A Trip to the Sauna in Finland

For many people, going to the sauna is a personal thing. A trip to the sauna is a favorable way to relieve stress and relax. It is also one way to socialize. The Finns think the same way, but if your business client or counterpart invites you to the sauna after your meeting, do not be alarmed. This means that your business meeting is successful.

13. Where Do You Sit When Taking a Taxi?

In movies and pictures, it is customary to see people taking a ride in a taxicab sitting in the back of the vehicle. Your Etiquette 101 class might have taught you that it is the proper way to ride a taxi if you are the only one in it. But in Australia, it is considered snobbish to sit at the back. Australians often sit in front with the taxi driver.

14. Greeting a Magpie on its Own in the UK

In many parts of the United Kingdom, it is customary for people to greet a lone magpie to avoid having bad luck.

15. Birthday Greetings in the Netherlands

You would not feel lonely when you celebrate your birthday in the Netherlands. In this country, it is a tradition to greet the person celebrating the birthday as well as the person’s family and other relatives.

16. Greeting People in Japan and Germany

When you’re in Germany and invited to a gathering, it is a tradition to shake hands with everyone in the room. You even have to shake the hands of children present. Greeting and thanking someone in Japan involves bowing. The depth of the bow depends on the social status or age of the person you are greeting. Giving a person a kiss on the cheek is a customary greeting in Argentina. It is customary for friends in Brazil to exchange around three cheek kisses. In France, the cultural tradition of giving a kiss on the cheek depends on the region. However, in Brest, it is acceptable to give a person a kiss on one cheek. In Toulouse, you can kiss both cheeks. In Nantes however, it’s all right to give four kisses on the cheeks.

17. Finger-Pulling in Austria

You might wonder when you see Austrian men engaged in finger-pulling. It is actually a serious traditional sport and the rules of the game are quite strict. The game is called Fingerhakeln (finger-pulling), which is like a mini version of tug-of-war. The objective is the same, to drag the opponent by the finger across the table. Bavaria also plays this sport.

18. The Dangers of Remaining Single After Age 25

In some cultures, it is a tradition for families to marry off their children at a very young age. In Germany for example, a person who’s still single at age 25 is showered by friends with cinnamon powder throughout the day. Over in France, people buy funny hats for their 25-year old single friends on November 25, which is Saint Catherine’s Day. In Germany, when a person reaches 25 and is still single, friends will string socks from the celebrant’s home to the birthday party venue, with stops after a few socks while friends encourage the birthday celebrant to have a drink.

19. Shoving your face on your birthday cake

In live action and animated films, shoving one’s face onto a birthday cake elicits a laugh. Some do it as a joke and some do it out of disgust or anger. But in Mexico it is a cultural tradition, so the birthday celebrant does not have any reason to get angry. It even follows a process. The cake is brought out and presented to the person celebrating the birthday. Guests sing the birthday song and the candle is blown. The birthday girl or boy takes a bite of the cake and as expected, someone will definitely shove her or his face on the cake.

20. Wife-Carrying is a Competitive Sport in Finland

Who would believe that carrying your wife would be considered a sport? In Finland, wife-carrying or eukonkanto in Finnish is even an endorsed sport and couples from other countries travel each year to Sonkajarvi to participate in the activity that started in the 19th century. Since 1992, it has been called the Wife Carrying World Championships. The prize is beer, with the amount corresponding to the weight of the wife. Since 2005, the game has been held in other countries, such as Australia, United States, United Kingdom and Asia.

Language Services to Help Bridge Cultural Barriers

Cultural traditions differ from country to country and visitors from other countries are often bewildered by them. While they can be quite fascinating, it is best to read up on the cultural traditions of your destinations so you can avoid committing cultural gaffes. If you’re traveling for business, you might need translation and interpreting services. If you do, we’re here to help.

And for excellent translations, rely on the expertise of Day Translations, Inc., a professional translation company that offers a full suite of language services. We have translators living in-country across the globe, ready to accept your translation projects. Our translators are native speakers, assuring you that we provide you with the most accurate translation possible in over 100 languages. Call us anytime you require translation and interpreting services. We are open 24/7, 365 days a year, so get in touch with us by calling 1-800-969-6853 or sending us an email at Contact us.

Different Cultural Traditions Around the World

Do you ever catch yourself doing something that would appear seriously strange to someone from another culture? Many countries’ culture and traditions vary hugely around the world. They are part of what makes our planet such a diverse and fascinating place to live.

In the spirit of exploring different cultures from more than just a linguistic standpoint – you can use our localization services for that – the Tomedes team has investigated different cultural traditions from around the world. Along the way we found surprising customs from around the world and traditions that range from the delightful to the distressing to the downright odd.

Why don’t you settle down with a coffee and let us take you on a quick tour of some of these fascinating cultural tradition examples around the world?

Culture and Tradition

Let’s start with some definitions. After all, here at Tomedes, we do love language in all its forms. (And on that subject, if you click the link below, you can enjoy our article on cultural connections and figures of speech.)

What is culture? Culture is the combination of a particular society or people’s ideas, beliefs, cultural customs examples, arts, and social behaviors. It is the essence of that society – something that is deeply ingrained and that is unique to that particular population.

What’s a tradition? A tradition is also deeply ingrained. It relates to a specific activity, event, or behavior that has been repeated over and again from generation to generation.

Interestingly, a tradition differs from a custom. The difference between customs and traditions is that the former refers to collective behavior that has not been taking place long enough to become a tradition (though it could well become one if a sufficient number of people repeat it for a long enough duration of time).

Our different traditions are an intrinsic part of our different cultures. These unique cultures often serve to help define our sense of who we are and where we belong. This is the case regardless of whether or not we practice the tradition in question – it is still a part of our cultural heritage and engaging in it (or not) says something about both who we are and who we aspire to be.

Unique Cultural Traditions

Tradition and culture are inextricably linked. Both have developed over countless generations. Traditions tend to be unique to certain societies and are usually born of local beliefs and circumstances. These can relate to a wide variety of different areas of daily life.

Wedding Cake, UK

Few areas of daily life have generated as many traditions over the years as the food that we eat. From the implements that we use to eat and the way that we sit to the foods that we associate with certain times of the year, food-based traditions are an important part of almost every culture.

In the UK, for example, it’s traditional for a couple who marry to freeze the top tier of their wedding cake and eat it a year later, on their first wedding anniversary. Doing so is supposed to bring the couple luck. The cake doesn’t spoil, as a traditional wedding cake is made from an alcohol-soaked fruitcake, topped with marzipan and royal icing.

Eating Jesus, Italy

Some traditions span more than one country. Religious traditions are an excellent example of this (though there are, of course, many religious traditions that are unique to a single society or people).

From pilgrimages to celebrations on specific days, religious traditions around the world are immensely important to people. They create a feeling of connection (both spiritual and to one’s fellow humans) and help people to define themselves and their beliefs.

Many religious traditions are also linked to food. During holy communion, for example, Catholics consume a wafer made from unleavened bread. They believe that thanks to a mystical process known as transubstantiation, they are consuming the body of Jesus Christ.

Red Brides, India

Many cultures around the world have traditions that relate to clothing. The colour that a bride wears on her wedding day is often traditional and thought to bring good luck. In China, brides wear red; in the US, they tend to dress in white.

Hindu brides will also be found in red, in the form of a wedding sari or a lehenga (this differs according to the region of India that the bride lives in). For more about Indian customs and traditions, and the importance of localizing in order to respect those traditions, click the link below.

Magpies, UK

It’s not just in the area of bridal clothing where we see traditions linked to luck. Indeed, many traditions are born of superstitions – widely held but irrational beliefs, often linked to luck and to the supernatural.

Magpies are an excellent example of this. Some Native American tribes held a tradition of wearing a magpie feather as a sign of fearlessness. However, many Christian communities believe that seeing a lone magpie represents bad luck. Over time, various traditions have arisen to ward off that bad luck. Some people salute, others say good morning to the solo bird, while others will settle for doffing their hat.

Such examples of traditions and customs linked to warding off bad luck, and encouraging good luck, exist across the globe.

Red Envelopes, China

Plenty of cultures have traditions that relate to holiday periods. Have you ever pinned a stocking to the mantelpiece on Christmas Eve? Or left a mince pie and a tipple out for Father Christmas? Along with a carrot for Rudolph, of course!

Holiday traditions are often linked with eating and drinking but are certainly not always. In China, for example, one tradition at New Year is the giving of red envelopes containing money. Parents and grandparents often gift these to their children as part of the celebrations.

Royal Worship, Vanuatu

Many interesting cultural practices have arisen over the years as a result of people celebrating the actions and/or lives of certain individuals. For example, have you heard of the Prince Philip Movement? It is a religious sect based on the southern island of Tanna in Vanuatu. There, the Kastom people around Yaohnanen village believe that Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (the husband of Queen Elizabeth II) is a divine being. Every year on his birthday, they hold a traditional feast with ceremonial dances.

Remembrance Day, Europe

As well as traditions that honour the lives (both past and present) of certain individuals, many countries observe traditions that honour the dead more widely. In the UK and countries across the Commonwealth, for example, a two-minute silence is held at 11 am on 11 November. It marks the time at which the hostilities of the First World War ended in 1918. Those observing it reflect upon the sacrifices that were made by so many in order to deliver freedom from oppression.

Flamenco, Spain

Music and dance form an important part of the culture of other countries across the world. Who can picture Mexico without the image of a mariachi band leaping to mind or think of Spain without imagining brightly dressed flamenco dancers?

Traditional music and dance vary hugely from culture to culture, both in terms of the instruments used and the style of the dancing. However, what they do tend to have in common is a power that reaches out across cultural divides. Have you ever cried at an opera, despite not speaking any Italian? The traditional, moving music carries a power all of its own.

Pinatas, Mexico

Each culture also has its own traditional objects. Keeping Mexican traditions in mind, how long is it before you picture a sombrero? Or a pinata? Precisely.

Pass the Parcel, UK

Many families develop their own birthday traditions, which are passed down through the generations. Societies also have their own established birthday traditions. Did you play to pass the parcel at your birthday parties as a child? Or make a wish after blowing out the candles on your cake? If you grew up in the US or the UK (and numerous other countries), the chances are you did!

Cheese Rolling, UK

While some traditions are set in stone, others grown and develop over the years. A rather bizarre tradition from the UK illustrates this nicely. Every Spring Bank Holiday, crowds gather on Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire to chase cheese down a hill. Competitors race to catch a seven to nine pound round of Double Gloucester cheese, as it reaches speeds of up to 70 miles per hour rolling down Cooper’s Hill. The winner, appropriately, is presented with a cheese as their prize.

While the origins of the event have been lost to history, we know that it has been celebrated locally for well over 200 years. However, in recent years, the annual event has begun to grow and attract an international audience, with winners hailing from as far afield as Nepal, New Zealand and the USA.

The internet has played a key role in the spreading fame of such events. It is also giving rise to a whole new set of customs that may one day become traditions. For more on internet culture around the world, click the link below.

Fireworks, Australia

Just as some traditions grow, others gradually dwindle over the years. Australia, for example, used to host huge public fireworks displays on the Queen’s Birthday and on Empire Day. However, with the sale of fireworks banned in numerous states over the course of the 1980s, the tradition is one which has faded over the years.

Strange and Bizarre Cultural Practices from Around the Globe

We’ve already touched on the worship of Prince Philip and competitive cheese rolling, but those are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to strange traditions cultural habits and world traditions. Let’s take a look at a few examples of cultural differences around the world and the traditions that these have given rise to.

La Tomatina, Spain

Once a year, in the Valencian town of Buñol, Spaniards gather to throw tomatoes at each other. The world’s largest tomato fight, La Tomatina now attracts participants from around the world.

Battaglia delle Arance, Italy

If you don’t fancy throwing tomatoes, how about oranges? During the Carnevale di Ivrea each year, residents of the Italian city of Ivrea come together to hurl oranges at each other. The tradition is in memory of a battle between the townsfolk and a ruling tyrant, with oranges thrown as part of the fight for freedom.

Cake in the Face, Mexico

If you like to nibble your birthday cake elegantly, it might be best not to spend your birthday in Mexico. After singing happy birthday, guests watch while the birthday boy or girl blows out their candles. They then lean over and take a bite of the cake, at which point someone will push their face into it.

Baking Money into Food, Bolivia

Speaking of food, did you know that in Bolivia it is traditional to bake money into sweet pastries and cakes on New Year’s Eve? It’s a tradition in which bakeries across the country take part. Those who find a coin in their cake can look forward to plenty of good luck in the new year.

Shoe Sweets, Spain

In another food-themed tradition, this time in Spain, children leave their shoes out to be filled with sweets on the evening of 5 January. It’s the night before Día de Reyes, which honours the Three Kings presenting their gifts to baby Jesus.

Female Genital Mutilation, Africa

Across Africa, and in various Asian and Middle Eastern countries, female genital mutilation (FGM) is the tradition of removing the female genitals either entirely or in part. Most often practiced on young children, it is a horrific procedure that is illegal in numerous countries around the world. That it continues to be so widespread shows the difficulty of breaking such an ingrained cultural tradition.

Weighing Public Officials, UK

On a lighter note, the town of High Wycombe in the UK has the strange tradition of weighing its mayor at the start and end of their term of office. Local history indicates that the tradition began in order to ensure that the mayor was not living off the fat of the land.

Tossing Teeth, Greece

Do you leave your teeth under the pillow for the Tooth Fairy to swap for money? In Greece, they take a different approach. There, children toss their milk teeth onto the roof when they fall out. The tradition is supposed to bring good luck to the child’s family and hail the arrival of a healthy adult tooth.

Carrying Wives, Finland

From throwing teeth to carrying wives… in Finland, it has been traditional since the 19th century to participate in eukonkanto – the sport of wife-carrying. There’s even a Wife Carrying World Championship. The winner’s prize is their wife’s weight in beer.

Beating Husbands, India

In Barsana, India, the annual Lath Maar Holi festivities see the village’s women engage in the tradition of attacking their menfolk with dandas (enormous sticks). The men must defend themselves with shields after catcalling, while the women attempt to beat them.

Christmas Defecation, Catalonia

Are you familiar with the sweet little nativity scenes that are so popular in Spain and Portugal (and many other countries) at Christmas? Well, in Catalonia there is a tradition of adding to the scene by including the caganer – a small figurine of a man with his trousers around his ankles, caught in the act of defecating. This unusual addition to the nativity symbolises good luck, with the caganer fertilising the earth.

The Straw Bear Festival, UK

In Whittlesea, UK, residents gather together every January for the annual Straw Bear festival – a tradition that dates back over two centuries. The performer must parade through the town wearing a five-stone bear costume made of metal and straw. A troupe of Appalachian and Morris dancers accompany the bear on its wander.

Localization Services and Cultural Traditions

These traditions are examples of different cultures around the world. They are cultural practices that may well seem strange to those unfamiliar with their meaning or origins. However, each tradition is part of a unique culture that has developed over many generations.

This is why localization services are so important during translation – as each culture is unique, only those who understand it natively and instinctively are in a position to ensure that documents are perfectly suited to those who will be reading them.

What is a tradition from your own culture that outsiders might find strange? Leave a comment in the box to share your traditions.

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Around the world there are a number of traditions that form part of the culture

Воспользуйтесь плеером, чтобы прослушать запись.

A) Ivy previously believed she could never learn to use computers.

B) Ivy’s husband Fred is impressed by Paul.

C) Fred has been on a computer course before.

D) Paul refused to take Fred as his trainee.

E) James and Katie will do two evenings a week in September.

F) CLAIT is easier than the Office Skills course.

G) Ivy plans to finish both CLAIT and Office Skills courses by the end of winter.

Запишите в ответ цифры, расположив их в порядке, соответствующем буквам:

Вы услышите диалог дважды. Определите, является ли следующее утверждение верным, или неверным, или о нем нет информации.

Воспользуйтесь плеером, чтобы прослушать запись.

Ivy previously believed she could never learn to use computers.

Ivy: Thank you so much Paul. I can’t believe it. I can use e-mail! I can down load files! I can go e-shopping! It’s like a whole new world.

Paul: Ivy — the pleasure is all mine. I told you it would be really easy.

Ivy: I know you did. And I said to my husband Fred I’d never manage to switch on a computer let alone use it. And he turned round and said to me “You listen to that Paul. He’s alright he is”. And he was dead right. Guess what! Fred wants to have lessons as well but only if he can have them with you.

Paul: It would be a privilege to teach your husband Ivy. I am sure he’ll be as bright a star as you

Ivy: What’s on the course in the autumn? Will you still be here?

Paul: I’ll be back to college in September but I’m still planning to do one evening a week here. So are my sister Katie and her boyfriend James, so you’ll have plenty to choose from.

Ivy: You’re my choice Paul! So what do you think I should study next?

Paul: Well, you’ve completed the beginners course, Ivy, and the logical next step is the improvers’ course. But in my opinion you now know enough to go straight to a higher level. You can take the CLAIT course and get a diploma. Or you can stretch to Office Skills and Administration which is a bit tougher but it will really improve your chance of getting a job.

Ivy: Oh I can just see me. Keen young 57 year old secretary!

Paul: You are not too old Ivy. If you get the right qualifications you could be earning a decent salary next year.

Ivy: Which course will you be teaching in September?

Paul: I’ll be doing CLAIT every Wednesday evening.

Ivy: Then I’ll begin with CLAIT.

Paul: And you can always do the Skills course in January. It might well be the best route.

Ivy: Where do I sign?

Paul: Just tell Frances in reception and she’ll get you registered.

I can’t believe it. I can use e-mail! I can down load files! I can go e-shopping! It’s like a whole new world.