Do some research about the culture of your target language and write about the 'linguistic aspects', e.g., body language, how people talk about time, etc.
The culture in South Korea is quite different from the culture in America. Although Korea does not hold a completely collectivist ideal, they are more centered around that aspect. There are some aspects in its culture that may seem individualistic. People are more self-oriented in terms of what they desire. They have a greater emotional distance from one another in an everyday life. Where in America, people often acknowledge people passing by or even stop to hold brief conversations with random people throughout the day, that is not a common deed in the Korean culture. Family plays a big role in Korea as often a member of the family represents the entirety wherever they go. Gestures are extremely important in the Korean culture. People often hold more meaning in gestures and facial expressions than using direct words. Actions such as bowing your upper torso before elders as a gesture of respect and courtesy is a common one. Where in America, every person is generally treated equally, Koreans hold great respect for their elders. For example, while it may be common for students in college to call their professors by their first names, in Korea that would be considered rude. Titles are another important aspect of the Korean culture. Each position, and title holds a value and people are often judged based on that. Other gestures in the Korean culture such as drinking alcohol revolve around respect as well. Younger people are not allowed to just drink in front of their elders freely, but instead have to turn their faces away, and shield their faces while they drink, as a sign of respect. Koreans are more monochronic in that they don't waste much time. Time is money in their eyes. The culture in Korea is usually to be as efficient as possible, as their railroad systems, other modes of transportation and lifestyles reflect. The Korean culture often pushes time efficiency and do their best to not waste any of it. Students are seen in school from morning to noon, after which they immediately go to an afterschool academy where they will spend the rest of their day at studying. Restaurants are all over the place, as they offer quick services and try to feed as quickly as possible because people are not looking to wander about and waste time. It is eat quick, leave, don't waste any unnecessary time. From my personal experience I believe Koreans are more external in terms of believing that success is a combination of both hard work and good fortune. Unlike the American Dream where you can get where you want to be just as long as you work hard enough, the Korean culture generally believe in good fortune. And lastly the Korean culture is more indirect in terms of their confrontations. As mentioned before, gestures play a big role in the culture itself, so people are not often willing to speak their minds directly, but often place great meaning in small little expressions and actions.
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