Job Discussion Forums

[xiaoyu]

a very interesting thread...

there is something to be said for those people who are interesting in going "partially native" - by this i mean that they have no problems being without a translator, can easily move from one cultural norm to another, and do not place one culture supremely above another.

those persons, in my experience, who have successfully done this (and yes it is very difficult to do) have been living abroad for quite some time usually. they also are those people who are at ease with themselves and with their part in life. not an easy thing to accomplish regardless of where you are. they also are good teachers because they can understand the culture that they are working within... which gives them insight in explaining different cultures and languages (very very helpful when explaining slang, idioms, and social practices)....

i personally almost went native in china... by the definitions given in this post i was quite a native. i hung out primarily with chinese and non-native english speakers (germans, french, etc.)... i did this for the opportunity to learn more of their cultures and languages. and i did it because it became more comfortable for me spiritually. i was able to take bits and pieces of the different cultures and feel more at ease with my own personal beliefs. (might sound like rambling but if you have experienced it you will understand what i am talking about). these people all had enormous impacts on me. they taught me so much about myself, what i expect from the world and how to live in the world that exists today. i would not change it for anything.

those people who go "completely native" as described in this thread are losing a lot, in my mind. they are not able to explore other possiblities in life. that is sad... how boring would that be? i think most ESL teachers are those that enjoy expanding their horizons and actually go more "native" than they may realize... their just a bit "native" from every place they have been. the beginning of the global citizen?

just don't forget your roots when taking a bit of what you are experiencing into your persona... your roots are what have made you and will continue to make you.

MindTraveller - some good points. enjoyed reading your post

xiaoyu

[Cleopatra]

I agree with the posts that say that the most psychologically healthy state to aim for is - as always - somewhere in the middle. In other words, aim to comprehend the culture you are living in without being blind to its faults. Try to learn the language and made local friends etc. but don't forget where you have come from.

As I've said, 'going native' really isn't an issue here in KSA, as it's a very private culture which doesn't welcome outsiders. This isn't (neccessarily) because people don't like foreigners - they treat their fellow Saudis in the same way. At the same time, however, I really don't understand those people who lock themselves away in compounds and don't even make the slightest effort to understand the country they are in. OK, I know they come for the money only, but taking an interest in what goes on around them won't make them earn any less.

[caesar]

[guest of Japan]

If you're pompous enough to use Latin quotes, then you ought to do it right.

[michaeld.chicago]

i don't like to wear underwear so put me down for a 'yes'.

[Wolf]

[biffinbridge]

Weird,I went to America for a short trip recently and after just a couple of hours,i'd gained 10 kilos, started telling really awful jokes,(at which I myself laughed),started wearing a baseball cap and started saying words like 'candy','neat' and 'howdy'.So in a state of worry,i boarded the nearest plane and set off on a mission to bomb the nearest muslim country back into a time before the dark ages,which is where they live pretty much most of the time anyway...

[fat_chris]

biffinbridge,