#and she can’t communicate well either she’s not fluent in the surface language so there’s a lot of frustration and fear from her …. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

rayveewrites · 4 years

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🖊 You can pick who! : D

Clue don’t give me this power-

Okay! Let’s talk about a character who’s been bouncing around in my head for a few weeks then. And her world- actually, probably mostly her world, because I have that a bit more fleshed out than her character.

Hoooo boy, this is a long one.

So in this world, there are three main races: Aenora, beings of air and light native to a chain of floating islands, Terrans, beings of earth and plantlife who live evolved for life on solid ground, and Arctar, beings of water and ice that are mostly aquatic. All three races have access to magic that I should probably make a proper system for.

Eventually the three races start to live together in multispecial cities usually located on solid ground, although there are some located both underwater and in the air. Interracial relationships eventually become normalized- two of the three named characters in this world are an Aenora-Terran couple (their names are Graceida and Kira, respectively. They’re lesbians). Different races can’t reproduce with each other- while Terran are mammals, Aenora are more closely related to birds despite producing live young, and Arctar seem to have evolved from fish.

This post is not about these people.

Eventually, the races start drilling for resources. Terran in particular have always been miners, but technology has meant they can dig deeper, faster, than ever before. Deep under the earth, they break into a series of massive caverns inside the planet’s crust, full of rare natural resources and strange, previously undocumented species.

There are plants down here- plants that live from the heat and light given off by magma that seems to fill the lower levels of the caverns. There’s little to no water down here- every living thing seems capable of surviving without it.

There are small, eight-legged lizards that crawl the rocky walls. There are metre-long snakes seemingly capable of gliding through the air. There are flightless bats, crawling the walls. There are eyeless fish that live their whole lives in magma pools. There’s a massive creature that can only be described as a worm, which crawls out of the deepest pits and devours anything that it can find before returning.

Among these strange creatures is a reptilian being that has only been documented in old myths and legends- humanoid beings that run on four legs as much as two, with hooked claws, lizardlike feet, batlike wings and whiplike tails ending in a blade shaped like an arrow. They’re covered from head to toe in thick scales that match their environment, have horns that curve from their heads in a multitude of lengths, and are capable of swimming in magma, climbing the rocky cavern walls, and flying through the vast spaces. They’re beings of fire and darkness, only known as strange, monstrous creatures used to scare small children: Umbraan.

Umbraan are possibly the biggest problems in the mining operation: they steal food, attack Terran, Aenora and Arctar alike, frequently damage or destroy valuable equipment, and just generally cause chaos.

They are quickly demonized by the corporations loosing money to them, and people are soon bought in to deal with them. These people are known to those on the surface as hunters, those in the caverns as exterminators, and to the Umbraan as the blood-hungry, the egg-breakers, or the light-bringers (not a compliment among beings of darkness). They have another dozen names for these people; it varies from region to region.

While the three races believe Umbraan to be no more intelligent than perhaps dolphins, they’re actually equal in intelligence to them! Their language sound like hissing, growling and snarling to most ears, their villages are hidden where they can’t be found unless you know it’s there, and they have no need for clothing or jewellery. It’s also worth noting that the caverns don’t have the same range of resources that the surface does- there’s no wood, no paper, no cloth; any tools are made of rock or bone. They dig with their own hooked claws, or by utilizing burrowing animals; they fly utilizing the natural air currents from the magma as much as by beating their wings. They eat meat almost exclusively, but don’t feel the need to farm; they’re careful to not let species numbers drop too low.

Their traditions are oral, and communicated mostly through song; not that hunters would know that. A chorus of Umbraan is something truly beautiful to listen to, and heard by few outsiders. They have no writing system; they don’t need it.

They attack the drilling teams for several reasons- they’re damaging the integrity of the caverns; they’re wreaking havoc with the delicate ecosystem; they’re killing Umbraan indiscriminately, even those who don’t engage; and some of the largest pockets of gold ore happen to be found in the walls of a nesting cavern. With nests. Full of eggs. Which happen to look like the rocks around them. And are now being destroyed.

Eventually, a team of researchers capture a live juvenile Umbraan. They take her to the surface to study, but underestimate the strength her hands and feet possess- Umbraan can cling to walls and ceilings for hours at a time, even sleeping that way without issue. She escapes into the city and, unable to find her way back to the caverns, develops nocturnal patterns and steals food either from dumpsters, or from people after luring them into dark alleyways but doing an imitation of an injured cat. She’s fast, able to scale walls in a blink, capable of flight, and quite intimidating to normal people.

Eventually she has a run-in with a Terran who realizes that she’s just stealing food, and starts, well, feeding her, much to the chagrin of her girlfriend. The Umbraan (who by the way, is named Zuri, thought I should mention that at some point) is initially wary, and suspicious of poison, but eventually realizes that the Terran, Kira, doesn’t wish her harm. This continues on for some weeks, until one day when Kira has a run-in with a group of rather... nasty people. Zuri isn’t quite sure of their plans, but she can recognise a call for help and an expression of distress. So, naturally, she steps in.

Although ‘steps’ might not be the right word- she perches on a lamp post, knocks out the light, and manipulates the shadows to make herself appear significantly larger than she actually is. Combine that with her animalistic-sounding native tongue and glowing red eyes, and the men naturally bolt. Zuri leaves once she makes sure they’re gone, and Kira is confronted with the fact that Umbraan are clearly far more intelligent than everyone seems to think.

She keeps feeding Zuri, who’s a bit less worried about being seen by Kira now (though only Kira), and eventually starts talking to her. Zuri, who’s quite sharp, eventually figures out that the strange noises are words, and from there it’s not long before she starts picking up the language the three races all speak.

Eventually, though, Zuri gets seen and reported, and while she escapes the hunters sent after her, it’s with several broken ribs. She goes to Kira (who is unaware that Zuri actually knows where she lives) and just about gives poor Graceida a heart attack before passing out on the floor.

Nursed back to health in secret, Zuri isn’t out of action for long- she heals pretty quickly. Kira convinces Graceida to let the Umbraan stay, and Zuri soon becomes semi-fluent in their language, although she tends to translate several terms literally from Umbraan(Graceida was deeply disturbed when she learned that hunters were referred to as blood-hungry; her brother is one of those people).

Zuri learns more about surface culture as well- while she never really understands clothing, she does learn to wear it. Writing is of far more interest to her- after she figures out literacy and the internet, she actually starts translating and transcribing traditional songs and stories of the Umbraan people, as well as her own story and basic information about their society and culture. The blog gets quite big (it’s a Tumblr blog because why not), and she’s always happy to answer asks that anyone might have. Kira helps, either with finding the right words or navigating the internet in general, and Graceida’s constantly stressed that her brother will drop by unannounced one day and see Zuri. Ignoring the fact that Zuri is quite capable of taking care of herself, thank you very much.

That’s about as far as I’ve gotten, and man this ran long. Anyway, that’s Zuri!

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dalmatians-on-europa · 6 years

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Whales on Europa Part 25

“Altima what the fuck is going on?”Collins sounded desperate over the headset.

*I am going to use vibrating air to speak with my team. They can’t hear our conversation.* Altima took a breath and focused on her team. “I’m okay. How is the video feed?”

“The feed is good. We can see what you see. We ah,” Ito paused. “We see the two beings with you.”

“Okay, that’s good. They’re telepathic. The heat and pain I felt was them initiating contact. The lighter one is Whalithosdor. The darker one is Purwhalen. So far they have been extremely welcoming.” Altima watched as the two whales floated in front of her. The static silence of her headset inspired her imagination. Either her team believed her or they didn’t. If she was in Ito’s shoes she’d be conferring with Dr. Lazurne.

“Telepathic?” It was Felix who broke the silence.

“Telepathic. They describe what I’m doing now as vibrating air.”

“That is so cool.”

Altima smiled at Felix’s enthusiasm. “I’m okay. I’m going to see if they have a transportable communication device and if they can get me back to the surface.”

*My team is reassured that I am okay.*

*We are glad that your team is reassured. These are the others like you above the ice?* Asked Whalithosdor.

*Yes, they are worried about me. We didn’t know what would happen when I got into this ball.*

The two whales turned to look at one another. *Our signal gave instructions for what would happen when you came here. Once you landed we changed the signal to tell you what would happen with the orb.*

*We weren’t able to translate your radio signal. We were able to make it vibrate air, but we couldn’t translate those sounds.* Altima watched as the whales bobbed their heads.

Purwhalen turned away from Altima and swam towards an array on the far side of the chamber. *Can you tell me if any of these waves make sense to you. If we can find one that makes sense to you we can use that signal to communicate with you on the surface.*

*Will you send me back to the surface?* Altima hoped she didn’t sound desperate through the mind link.

Whalithosdor backed up. *Of course we will be returning you to your team. We were chosen to represent our people to begin communications with you and your people. We wish to open formal communications with your people.*

Altima sighed deeply. What a relief. *That is good to hear. I am honored to be a part of our first diplomatic conversation.* She stopped as the singing she had heard in the ice slide started up. *I can hear that, but it doesn’t make sense.*

Purwhalen’s tale thrashed. The sound changed into a fifth grade orchestra concert. *That sounds worse*

“Commander, what are they doing? I’m picking up those songs through the speaker. I recognize that song.” Said Garcia.

“Garcia, they are trying to find a way to communicate with us. You know this song?”

“Yeah, it’s an old lullaby. I had to memorize it when I played the flute.”

“You played the flute?” Altima ignored Felix as he started to question the geologist.

*One of my team members recognizes that song. It is from Earth.*

*That is good. It means I am getting closer. We have a translation device that allows us to speak with different tribes. Are people do not all speak one language.* Purwhalen laughed through the mental connection. *We have been collecting radio signals from your planet. If that variety of sound waves is not what you use for language, then I have a few others I can try. How is this?*

Altima listened as the orchestra concert slowly morphed into words. She listened closely to see if the words made sense or were simply more melodic noises. *That’s German!*

*Is that good?* Purwhalen turned back towards Altima.

*Yes! That is one of the languages on my planet. I can speak a little of it, but I have a team member who is fluent. This signal will work well.* Altima switched to vocalizations. “Can Miller hear this? I want a live translation.”

“This is Miller. I’m listening. Can they turn the volume up a little? It’s distorted.” Herbert Miller was up on the Numa. His thick German accent was a warm comfort in Altima’s ear.

*Can you turn the volume of this signal up? We are broadcasting the sound to my teammate who is in orbit around Europa. He says that the sound is getting a little distorted.*

Purwhalen briefly turned back to the panel. The German jumped in volume.

“Miller, how’s that?”

“I’ve got it. Give me a moment. Ah, yes. They are repeating a message. It says, ha, it says ‘This is a test.’“ The mission specialist laughed to himself.

*This signal works perfectly.*

*Then it is probably for the best that we send you back to your people. The orb will work as a signal relay. We will send our communications up to you. Knowing what signal works to communicate with you we will put together a two way communication device. We will reach out to you with updates and an invite to return when the device is done. The orb should be able to hold two of your kind.* Whalithosdor bobbed their head and turned away from Altima.

The doors to the chamber behind Altima opened again. As the claw came back to grab the sphere the straps lifted Altima back to the center of the sphere. “Guys, I’m coming back up.”

“That’s good. We just got NASA’s response to your message. In the strongest wording possible, without using any fucks, they say no touchy!” Felix laughed.

“We are sending back a message with a brief summery of your adventure.” Altima could almost hear Ito pushing Felix away from the microphone.

“Thank you. I’m going to save the rest of this debrief for when I’m back up there.” Altima watched the two Europans as she was pulled out of the submarine. The claw returned her to the sled shoot in the ice. The orb quickly grew in speed as it shot back towards the surface. Closing her eyes to avoid the dizzying blur of the ice Altima thought back on the past hour. There was intelligent life on Europa!

#original story #science fiction #europa #alien

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imaginemycroftholmes · 7 years

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Mycroft Submission form

Name:

Raija

Age (note that if you are under the age of consent your score will be significantly lower for Marriage, Friendship and Partnership):

Gender:

Female

Occupation:

I work as a librarian, but I have a degree in human resources.

Nationality:

Finnish

Country of origin:

Finland

Personality type (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator):

ISFJ (did the test online and it seems legit)

Education:

Human resources at college

Marital Status (if not applicable put N/A):

single

Number of children (if not applicable put N/A):

none, I have a cat and that’s more than enough

Who would you shoot out of John, Sherlock, Mycroft and why:

John, he pisses me off too often. I would prank Sherlock if he got on my nerves.

Height:

168.5 cm

Position in the family (oldest, youngest, middle):

That kind of depends which way one is looking at it. I am mum’s youngest, dad’s oldest and all in all I have a big brother and two little sisters. So a middle one, with a twist.

Best subject:

History

Favorite Subject:

History and English

Worst subject:

Maths and Swedish

Last song listened to:

Alice Cooper’s Paranormal

Favorite color:

deep green

Thoughts on Molly and Sherlock’s impending relationship:

I wish they got a move on.

Illness/allergies/impairments:

Overweight with a bad back and knees and mushrooms give me a stomach ache

Last sentence uttered to another living human being:

I love you. (To mum)

Hair color/length:

A bit under shoulders and dyed dark brown

Who do you feel more sympathy for Sgt. Donovan or Anderson’s wife:

The wife

Eye color:

brownish green

Constantly cold, hot or prefect:

Too damn hot (to handle)

Seven Noteworthy skills (ex: can play an instrument, fire most guns, ride a unicycle, etc.):

- I can smile innocently while wanting desperately to shoot someone (thanks to customer service experience)

- I can quote most of the elvish in the Fellowship of the Ring

- I have a lot of dirt on people and have kept their secrects for years

- I am excellent at falling down on flat surfaces

- I can usually find the information the customer needs given a bit of time

- One can trust my word

- I know how to make bread (it’s a new skill)

Nine noticeable sins: (ex: moody, bad listener, selfish, etc.):

- I am a bitch when I am hungry

- I get roadrage

- I get offended easily when I feel I am wrongly accused and I can’t let it go either

- I am lazy

I am foul mouthed

- I like to shop, a lot

- I am messy

- I like the 6th Doctor

- I always mean what I say, I just don’t always mean to say them out loud

Languages known/spoken:

Finnish of course, English, some Swedish, some German, some Russian, some Spanish and I have studied Latin as well. I am fluent in only Finnish and English,

Cats, dogs, both or other:

I own a cat, but I like them both

How often you help your community (1 never, 2 sometimes when prompted, 3 average, 4 often, 5 weekly):

Depends what do you mean by helping, I don’t volunteer for example, but I donate a lot good stuff (unused clothes for example) to local flea market that is run by the unemployed peole and aimed for them as well.

Favorite Holmes family member:

Mycroft Holmes

Body type (1 obese, 2 overweight, 3 averages, 4 fit, 5 skinny):

Number of past lovers (put N/A if virgin or not seeking marriage):

N/A

Level of cleanliness (5 slobs, 4 messy, 3 average, 2 pretty clean and 1 spotless):

Would you rather piss off Sherlock or Mycroft:

Sherlock

Rate your mental health on a scale of 1-5 with one being terrible and 5 being fine:

3, been better and been worse. I am alright.

Rate your confidence on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being poor and 5 being Sherlock levels:

3, on a good day 4

Combat level (1 sitting duck, 2 somewhat okay, 3 can hold their own, 4 pretty damn good, 5 a proficient fighter):

Circle of friends:

3 close ones, 2 pretty close ones and a lot people that I like, but aren’t exactly close friends.

Who do you side with more Sherlock or Mycroft:

Mycroft, I know how it feels to be the responsible one (and we are not taking mummy’s opinion on this one)

Level of intelligence on a scale of 1-5:

3, I am average and I know it. Why pretend?

Who do you side with more Mycroft or Mrs. Hudson:

Mycroft most of the time

Introvert or Extrovert:

Ambivert, which is a bit of both and yes it is actually a used term. I didn’t get it out of thin air.

Political alignment:

Labour

Who would your rather be trapped in a long car ride with Mummy Holmes or Holmes Senior:

Holmes senior

Go to outfit for everyday:

black jeans, nice t-shirt, biker jacket and high heeled boots, all black

Go to outfit to impress:

One of my little black dresses and blood red heels

5 hobbies (not to be confused with noteworthy skills):

- books - whiskey

- sudoku

- walking

- movies

Opinion of Rosie Watson and Mary Watson:

Rosie is an innocent child and Mary… I quite liked her.

Favorite music/book/movies:

I have lately listened a lot of punk, but I prefer the dark tones of gothic music. I can’t name one band because I like so many. Lord of the rings is my all time favourite book. There are a lot of movies that I greatly enjoy, but I like the old horror movies quite a bit.

How well you take rejection on a scale from 1-5:

I am not good at it, so 2 because I try to have a bit of dignity. But I will avoid the person for a long while.

Religious or religious affliations:

I am an atheist

Kids or no (note this is wanting them not the ability to have them):

No, but if one comes even after all the things I’ve done to prevent it, then they will be welcome.

Out of the Holmes family (Siger, Violet, Sherlock and Eurus) who would you kill, maim, kiss or roommate with and why:

I would kill Eurus, I have no emotional attachment to her and she would happily kill me. I would maim Violet because I am still too angry at her I would kiss Sherlock because why the fuck not? And I would roommate with Siger, because he is the least annoying

Do you think what Mycroft did with Eurus (at the time) was justified and needed:

I just don’t know. But I do believe he did his best with what he had to work with.

Please bold the following that you wish to have with Mr. Holmes:

Friendship

Partnership

Marriage

Mentorship

My three questions

Parents buy cookies for their kids. They are saving money so they buy two discounted ones (few days after best before). They don’t want to look greedy so they also buy two cookies for the full price. When they come home their two kids grab cookies, and each get two. They don’t check best before so their choice is random. Do you think that life is fair and each kid gets one expired and one good cookie? Or one kid gets both expired? What is more likely to happen?

- Life isn’t fair, but a chance is a chance and nothing is impossible in this world. Just highly improbable. So I really don’t know what kind of cookies each child got, but in the end, does it really matter? Each got two cookies and I think the children wouldn’t give a damn if the parents kept their trap shut. The children were happy to have cookies, just leave it at that.

Prison guards are bored so during dinner they announce the prisoners that they will play a game: In the morning they will stand in a line so that every prisoner will see all standing in front of him but no one behind him. Guards will randomly paint red or white stripe on their back. They will ask prisoners one by one from the last to the first. They will be allowed to say just one word “red” or “white”. If the prisoner says the color he has on his back he may go home in opposite case he will be executed without delay. The prisoners are in one cell during the night and they can discuss the tactics. Which is the best? How many will survive?

- There is an explanation to this I am sure, but since I am rebel (and a bit of idiot with these kind of questions) I am going to think outside the box and say they will all survive because the guards will have a mutiny in their hands and the prisoners refuse to play. It’s better to serve the sentence than leave their life in the hands of shithead guards. I mean the guards could watch football and read a book if they are bored. Fucking wankers.

Once upon a time there was a kingdom. A king and a clown lived in this kingdom. Unfortunately they hated each other so they agreed that they will poison each other one day. There are only twelve vials of poison in whole kingdom and they are locked in one chamber in the castle. The poisons have numbers from 1 to 12. The higher the number the stronger the poison. Effect on human body is simple – you drink the poison, you die. Each stronger poison neutralizes all weaker poisons which means that poison 12 neutralizes all poisons, number 11 all poisons but 12 etc. (If you drink 11 and than 12 nothing happens. If you drink 12 and than 11 you die.) The king enters the chamber with poisons first and takes all the even poisons (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12). Than the clown enters and takes the rest. They meet in the throne hall where each fills one cup and hands it over to the other who immediately drinks it. Now each fills the cup once again, now for himself, and drinks it (hoping to save his own life). What did the clown do that he woke up the second morning and the king was dead? Premises: Each of them (the king and the clown) PRIMARILY wants to survive. If he survives he wants to poison the other as surely as possible. There is one dose of each poison – it’s not possible to divide it. The poisons are fluids without color or smell and they have the same consistency as water

- Absolutely no idea.

Questions 1/3

Friendship: 7.38/10

Mycroft’s answer:

Well Raija, it is always good to acquire new contacts but as a newly formed acquaintance might I suggest hiring a driver or cab to help alleviate road rage? I must confess that like my brother I too had a bad habit with such (which is why he’s not allowed to drive considering he’s mister ‘we can afford a new car every month for the rest of my life anyway so what’s the big deal Mycroft’) ; the urge to run smash my car into the offending party was almost unbearable as it was unthinkable but even I can admit that I’m not always the better man when it comes to patience and virtue.

Although I am a bit surprised John peeve you so greatly (there are times when the man annoys me just because he won’t follow my lead as opposed to Sherlock’s) but am quite on the same point with you when it concerns Miss Hooper and Sherlock’s relationship. For years since the pair have interacted I had hoped MIss Hooper would either buck up to make a move or at the very least Sherlock would come to his senses and throw her a bone. Who would of thought Eurus would be the one to force Sherlock to face those feelings that he’s long since ignored or for Molly to be as brave as to confess them (even if all of us Mrs Hudson included already knew) aloud. it was something that I had not initially planned for but despite the circumstances and deaths along the way I cannot say that I am not somewhat pleased by their development from all of it. Now if I can only get them to marry within my lifetime that would certainly help me die peacefully knowing that the Holmes line will live on.

I must confess Sudoku is a guilty pleasure of mine simply because I enjoy solving the puzzles (even if it usually is simple mathematics) at my leisure between flights. I have yet to find an app on my cellular device that gives me the same quality of puzzles without crashing but rest assured when it is made you’ll be the first to know. I find that Sudoku in other languages to be a bit more difficult to do as translations are not always 100% correct but enjoy them no the less. Now doing the crosswords for the Beijing paper-now that is something that only a mad woman like Eurus would do for the fun of it.

Languages may be a forte of mine (as it is with the rest of the Holmes clan) but recalling all the characters in the Chinese language which are often borrowed by other Asian countries makes for a migraine inducing sit when you know more than one language. As someone that knows more than one and is attempting to add more to your repertoire I’m sure you of all people Raija will understand.

I will send you a text at your convenience and I look forward to our blossoming friendship.

-M

#mycroft holmes #submission

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fluentlanguage · 6 years

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7 Reasons Your Cultural Awareness Matters More Than Perfect Vocabulary

The following post is written by the lovely Michele from Intrepid Guide, a blog dedicated to language and travel.

How well would you say you speak the foreign language you’re learning? Are you beginner, intermediate or even advanced and near fluency?

Now, I don’t want to bust your bubble, but, you may not be as ‘fluent’ as you think.

While we may learn languages with the goal of being fluent (whatever that means to you) the most important question to ask here is, how culture-savvy are you?

You may understand a foreign language but that doesn’t guarantee that you understand the nuances and the whole range of meaning that native speakers communicate to you.

Communicating in another language requires more than just memorising words and grammar. We have to learn how to communicate beyond words by understanding its culture. Therefore, as we study a language, we must learn it alongside its culture.

Afterall, language is culture!

What is Cultural Awareness?

Cultural awareness understanding that our own culture differs from one individual and group to the next, and specifically from our target language.

Being culturally aware helps us recognise and have an appreciation for other’s values, customs and beliefs and meet it without judgement or prejudice.

As we encounter new languages and cultures we begin to make comparisons and realise that our own behaviours, values and beliefs are not the general norm found elsewhere in the world.

Why is Cultural Awareness Important?

Cultural awareness is key when we communicate with people from other cultures. Since we use language to communicate, our knowledge of foreign languages gives us ‘access’ to different societies and cultures. We become mediators between cultures.

The most important reason why we should be culturally aware is so we have an increased awareness of people all over the world. This helps us develop a deeper understanding of our own and other people’s cultures, while broadening the mind and increasing tolerance.

Expressing Respect

When we are culturally aware we know what is considered inappropriate or offensive to others. For example, incorrect body language and can lead to misunderstandings. Even something as simple as nodding your head in agreement can be misunderstood in places such as Greece, Bulgaria, and Albania where shaking one's head can actually mean yes.

In Western culture we’re taught that it’s polite to look someone straight in the face when talking to someone, however, in Japan this is considered disrespectful.

Being culturally aware isn’t just for those learning a foreign languages either. As an Australian who swapped her life in Melbourne for a life in Rome and then again for London (where I’m currently based), I learned that even between English speaking countries our cultures can differ and that these differences can surface in unsuspecting ways.

During the past 5 years of living in the UK, I’ve accidentally ruffled a few feathers and learned some important cultural lessons the hard way.

Here are 7 times learning cultural awareness changed my life way more than any vocab table ever could

1. Inviting STRANGERS Round To Yours - Kidnapping Or Hospitality?

Whilst living in Italy, I travelled the country extensively and took many walks and tours with local guides. Each of Italy’s regions has its own personality, unique history, culinary delights and beauty. You can’t just visit Florence or Rome. You have to visit other cities too to really understand Italy.

When I was on one of these local tours in Milan, our guide explained that we shouldn’t be ‘discouraged’ if we encountered a ‘rude’ Milanese. She explained that people from Milan can seem rude or cold at first, but once you make an effort to get to know them they are just as warm and welcoming as we’ve come to know Italians to be.

Compare this with an experience I had at the opposite end of Italy in Sicily. One summer I was in Palermo celebrating a girlfriend’s birthday with 4 other girlfriends. we went to dinner at a popular restaurant frequented only by locals. It’s fair to say we stuck out a sore thumb.

After about 10 minutes at our table, a middle-aged lady from a neighbouring table who was with her family enquired where we were from. Her eyes lit up when we replied in Italian. After no more than 5 minutes of chatting, Maria invited all 5 of use around to her house the next day for coffee and cake! She gave us her number, address and a time. It was all set.

I’d never in my life received such an invitation. After some internal juggling wondering if we were about to experience Liam Neeson’s movie ‘Taken’, we decided to take our chances and go. I’m so glad we did. Maria had very kindly baked two different homemade cakes and even gave us her recipe.

This would whole encounter would never happen in Australia, or the UK for that matter. To this day I still can’t believe it did. It just goes to show that just because you do things one way in your country, doesn’t mean it’s the same everywhere else.

2. American, British, and Australian English: Similar but Different

Even though Australia is a British colony and Australian English is based on British English, we’re not very politically correct with our choice of words. Australians say things that can be considered highly offensive, but we do so without malicious intent.

It's like we’ve used these words so much in everyday speech that they've lost all power and negative connotations that it no longer offends anyone, hopefully.

This was and still is the hardest lesson for me to learn since living in London and something I still struggle with today.

An example of a word that Australians will use without batting an eyelid and which makes up part of many common Australian idioms is the word ‘bloody’. So common is it for us to say ‘bloody’ that it was even part for a A$180 million advertising campaign by Tourism Australia that was banned in the UK for being too offensive. The slogan read “So, where the bloody hell are you?”.

A more extreme example, which I know will probably make you cringe, is the use of the highly offensive c-word. It may surprise you to learn that many Australian males will use this as a sort of term of endearment towards other males. They’ll say things like, “Hey c&!, how are ya?”, or “he’s a good c%!.” The c-word is never directed to females or used by them as it’s still considered an offensive word, but it’s not nearly as taboo as it is in the UK or America.

3. Being 'On Time' Means Being Early, Late, Or Just On Time Depending On Where You Are

Even being punctual can cause misunderstandings. While Germans consider punctuality to be very important, the exact opposite is true in South America where it is considered rude to arrive on time.

During my early days in Rome, I distinctly remember the first time I was running late to an appointment with my Italian friends. I messaged my friend Marta and apologised for running 5 minutes late. She responded with Ma Michele, sei troppo anglofono. Non ti preoccupare! (Michele, you’re too English, don’t worry!).

When I started learning Arabic leading up to my trip to Egypt, I learned that if you say to someone that you’ll see them tomorrow they might reply with, ‘in sha Allah’ or ‘insha'Allah’ which literally means ‘god willing’. This is often used in response to anything tentative, or when timing is in question.

The phrase expresses the belief that nothing happens unless God wills it ("if God doesn't want me to be on time..." ¯_(ツ)_/¯ ). From this one phrase we can see just how much of an influence religion plays in the Arabic language and in the lives of those who speak it.

A similar phrase is also found in Spanish and Portuguese, ojalá (Spanish) and oxalá (Portuguese). This was adopted into both languages after they came into contact with the Arabic speaking world as far back as the 8th century.

4. Saying 'Thank You' Can Make Your Host Unhappy - Only In Italy?

One year I celebrated Easter with a friend’s family in Naples. They welcomed me and my Dad who was visiting into their home and fussed over us making sure we had everything we needed and making special dishes just for us. They made us feel so special, like we were part of the family. I was so grateful and I wanted to let them to know.

Everytime Carmela, my friend’s mum, would hand me a plate, or do anything, I would say “grazie” (thank you). On the third day, Carmela said something I’ve never forgotten.

“Michele, devi smettere a ringraziarmi, mi fa piacere. Siamo famiglia e non si ringrazia familia. Non mi piace,... ci separa.” (Michele, you have to stop thanking me, it’s my pleasure. We’re family and you don’t thank family. I don’t like it,... it separates us.)

Before that moment, I never thought that thanking someone could offend them but I could understand Carmela’s point. At the same time, it felt foreign to me to not show my appreciation and gratefulness towards her for everything she was doing for us. I felt like I was being rude, but it was what she wanted so I had to fight my instincts so I wouldn’t not offend her again.

5. You Can Scare Italians With An Ill-Timed Party

After organising my birthday party whilst living in Rome, I learned just how superstitious Italians are.

You see, I have the unfortunate pleasure of being born two days after Christmas when most people aren’t around to celebrate with me. This usually means I have organise my birthday celebrations a couple of weeks in advance while everyone is still around.

The first time my birthday rolled around in Rome, I knew I wanted all my friends to be there and that since most of my friends weren’t from Rome and would be heading home for Christmas, no one would be around to celebrate my birthday on the 27th of December.

With that in mind, I booked a venue two weekends prior to my actual birthday and sent out the invites. Within minutes I was inundated with messages “Ma, Michele, non si può festeggiare il compleanno in anticipo, porta sfortuna!” (But, Michele, you can’t celebrate your birthday early, it’s bad luck!).

Up until this point I had never heard of such a thing. Growing up in Australia, it was something I was used to doing otherwise I’d never see my friends for my birthday. I felt that if I celebrated after the fact (which by then would be New Year’s Eve) everyone would be all partied out and celebrating the following year just didn’t feel right.

After explaining that for an Australia it wasn’t bad luck, they tried to understand but it still didn’t sit well with them. On the night of the party they didn’t wish me happy birthday, they insisted on waiting until the my actual birthday to tell me.

6. Gruesome Things Can Happen If You Don't Make A Toast With Caution

The custom of making a toast is universal. That moment when you say Cheers! Prost! Salud! or L’chaim! in celebration of anything from New Year’s Eve to weddings to a night out with friends.

This seemingly simple and harmless practice comes with disclaimers in some culture who have their own twists on this tradition.

In Spain, for example, making a toast with water or any non-alcoholic drink is considered bad luck resulting in ‘seven years of bad sex.’

Those in France or Germany believe the same to be true it you don’t make and hold eye contact whilst making a toast.

Living in Italy, I learned that Italians take things a step further. Aside from not being able to toast with water, and making sure you maintain eye contact, you also can’t toast with a plastic cup and you have to touch a table or ledge with the bottom of your drink after clinking glasses with everyone.

Interestingly, this superstition comes from the Ancient Greeks who, according to Greek mythology, would toast to the dead with glasses of water to symbolise their voyage, via the River Lethe, to the Underworld.

Who knew making a toast could be so complicated?

7. La Dolce Vita, Let It Change Your Outlook On The Working World

When I moved to Italy, I left behind a pretty intense job where I worked crazy hours, sometimes working til 1 or 2 am. In places like Australia, the UK and America, you’re rewarded for working overtime which usually comes in the form of a pay rise or promotion, where funnily enough you’re given even more work to do!

Living in Rome made me realise how flawed this whole concept was of working hard and sacrificing time with friends and family for the sake of climbing the corporate ladder. I quickly learned that Romans value time with their family and friends so much that they don’t have this poisonous desire to work overtime just to get ahead. Quite often, I would go out with friends til 1, 2 sometimes 3 am on a “school night”. We weren’t getting drunk, were were just socialising and just hanging out.

I never did this in Australia, but in Rome I was living La Dolce Vita or the Sweet Life. I replaced my work addiction with friendships and I began to value my relationships over work. I enjoyed life to the fullest with the people who matter and sometimes that meant staying out until the wee hours of the night.

La Dolce Vita isn’t just for Italians though, the Danes have their own version of this too. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, the Danish word hygge (pronounced hue-guh) has gained worldwide popularity. Hygge describes the feeling you get, either alone or with friends, where you feel cosy and have warm feelings of togetherness, contentedness and enjoying the simple things in life.

The Danes also don’t believe in overtime. Helen Russells explains in her book, a The Year of Living Danishly, that working overtime is not only frowned upon by your peers but you’re considered as being inefficient!

In Conclusion

Being knowledgeable in foreign languages shows native speakers that you respect their ideas and their way of living. This is why I encourage travellers to learn some of the local language before their travels and I’ve created a collection of free travel phrase guides to help my readers do that. Knowing even a just a little bit of the language can help offset cultural shock and open you up to new experiences in a destination.

Cultural awareness extends into your everyday life, not just while travelling. Think about how valuable this skill can be (and it is a skill) to the development and advancement of your career. Being able to communicate with global communities is invaluable to a business when they scout new talent.

Being able to communicate effectively has a lot to do with context and culture. Therefore, understanding cultural implications is just as important as learning correct grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. Neglecting this part of the learning process can lead to unnecessary misunderstandings or miscommunications.

When Have You Learnt More Than Just Language?

What moments of cultural awareness have you encountered? Ever you offended someone or embarrassed yourself like me? I'd love to hear from you - share your story in the comments below.

About Michele

Michele from The Intrepid Guide is a language and travel blogger and author of Learn Italian FAST. Originally from Australia, Michele moved to Rome in pursuit of improving her Italian. Currently based in London, she lives by the motto “The more we travel, the more we learn.”

With her blog, Michele shares her passion for bringing language and travel closer together with detailed destinations guides, and free travel phrase guides, and more! You can follow her on social media as she shares fascinating and little-known linguistic and cultural facts.

#culture #intercultural awareness #italy #guest post #travel #expats

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