Learning Journal Post #11

[Jessica Elphick]

In the "Sociocultural Factors," article, many relevant topics were discussed in terms of culture and "fitting in." I found the most amusing topic to be the idea of anomie. This feeling of social uncertainty or dissatisfaction is said to be heightened at the time when a person is close to mastering a language. One would assume that a person may like they fit in more because they understand the language, but it is quite the opposite. A person has an identity confusion when they don't know which language and culture is their dominant background anymore. I was intrigued by the four stages of culture acquisition as well. When I studied abroad in Argentina for only 6 weeks, I felt culture shock in such a short time in comparison to my 3 and a half months in Madrid. When I studied in Madrid, I never felt culture shock. I think the excitement and euphoria stage lasted the entire time I was there. I'm not sure why this occurred, but I just felt more at home in Madrid. My korean language learning is still at the beginning, but I look forward to my trip there to see how my culture acquisition plays out.