Discussion » National character. Does it exist?

1

Galina

1 min 9 sec
70 mths ago

2

Galina

1 min 30 sec
70 mths ago

3

meeshkol

3 min 20 sec
70 mths ago

4

Galina

1 min 55 sec
70 mths ago

intense?

5

meeshkol

2 min 59 sec
70 mths ago

6

Faby & Jack

2 min 0 sec
69 mths ago

I do agree with some questions raised by both of you, but I actually think ,that we must take into account that neither books, nor movies or magazines , always reflect the real country’s stereotypes.
I know that we are just speaking about stereotypes ,not accurate profiles. I hope that you understand my point!
For example what Marysia said about middle-class French people, is very close what I want to say in general, because, when we talk about a country’s people, we must see their social origin and insertion in the country.
Practical example:
Neither all the French are intellectuals ,nor all the Russians drink vodka.
Neither all the English are discreet or low profile, nor all the Brazilians know to dance “Samba” or like the Carnival.

7

janrw

2 min 23 sec
69 mths ago

Science says no...it doesn't exist ...

8

Galina

2 min 30 sec
69 mths ago

9

Galina

0 min 50 sec
69 mths ago

What about folk tales?

10

Galina

1 min 13 sec
69 mths ago

11

Faby & Jack

0 min 58 sec
69 mths ago

Hello everyone, it’s me Jack.
We would like to add to the discussion that a national character can be seen in a mix of several categories, in poetry for example :
There is no doubt Luís de Camões by his epic work Os Lusíadas
represent Portugal.
Shakespeare by plays that are considered some of the finest in the English language, such as Hamlet, King Lear, and Macbeth, do represent England, as well as Cervantes with his famous novel Don Quixote de la Mancha represent Spain.
We are sure that this would apply to more countries !

12

Faby & Jack

1 min 2 sec
69 mths ago

That means, we live in a globalised world…formerly literature was almost responsible to show and representing the way of life.
Nowadays almost there are no borders...so...we have to choose categories of analyses to find a character that matchs to the NATIONAL one...in short we just know there are characteristic and socio - cultural traces of a people, but absolutely never a national character.

13

meeshkol

3 min 20 sec
69 mths ago

fado - Portugal

14

janrw

6 min 4 sec
69 mths ago

Fado is not about sadness...:)

15

meeshkol

4 min 20 sec
69 mths ago

16

janrw

3 min 38 sec
69 mths ago

17

meeshkol

4 min 2 sec
69 mths ago

director, not producer

"The Dancing Master" Henning Mankell

18

Faby & Jack

3 min 4 sec
69 mths ago

Well, I think that this thread took a very interesting route because the initial subject has multiplied in many others... For us is being an stimulant exercise, therefore besides practising the English language, we are instigated to change knowledge and points of view based on our proper culture. Thus, as in a words game where the parts get to mounting a rich mosaic, and our ideas are getting form sometimes agreeing or disagreeing with the other participants.
The search of the best form to describe or try to approach the stereotypes of a national character, it has made it possible for us to discover, to learn and search more and more... we conclude that national character
uk.blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-fUznoDA3eqStbjUfz21kDzQ-?cq=1
..Oops this statement still is up to date ...but it has been said in the eighteenth century as you can see by following this link
www.cromohs.unifi.it/7_2002/kra.html
If can spare some time to read it, you may can tell us what do y

19

meeshkol

3 min 4 sec
69 mths ago

a stimulating exercise

our own culture

the search for the best way in which to describe a nation's characteristics

20

Galina

0 min 30 sec
69 mths ago

21

Faby & Jack

2 min 6 sec
69 mths ago

Thanks Marysia for helping me to better express in English language... For us (me and Jack) it’s grateful to change knowledge with diverse people, better still, we have you, as an English teacher to provide us with helping hints! It’s a stimulating exercise!!!

Well, regarding the characteristics of being Brazilian ?
There are many, despite I'm suspect... let's go...any way!
In general to be Brazilian it’s above all about being solidary, friendly , fighter, dancer, musical, hopeful, and proud of its “tropicality“, .. Due the country’s dimension , we are both multiracial and cultural people, mixed of Indians, Portuguese, Africans, Italians, Germans, etc. etc
We love the sun, ( by the way, we have it all year long.), therefore we are happy people, affectionate, without great alienating preconceptions
As I have, sometime ago, said in other thread...“despite too many social inequality we still are a very friendly and happy people.”

22

Fred

2 min 24 sec
69 mths ago

if you want more info about Belgium ..here is a good site

www.flanderninfo.be/cm/flandersnews.be

23

janrw

1 min 41 sec
69 mths ago

24

Marci182

1 min 56 sec
69 mths ago

25

meeshkol

3 min 16 sec
69 mths ago

26

Faby & Jack

1 min 46 sec
69 mths ago

uk.blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-fUznoDA3eqStbjUfz21kDzQ-?cq=1

27

janrw

6 min 49 sec
69 mths ago

28

Marci182

4 min 36 sec
69 mths ago

29

Faby & Jack

0 min 33 sec
69 mths ago

If it is truth that Globalisation versus Americanisation is changing the world...which we can't deny...we hardly can related it to the specification of the, here, so-called "national character" better said national characteristics.

30

Faby & Jack

0 min 41 sec
69 mths ago

Moreover, if we want to discuss what is one country's culture, or the American's disturbance on it,...or even analyse it from the anthropological, sociological, psychological and political point of view, ...then it would be another thread or topic.

31

meeshkol

2 min 2 sec
69 mths ago

32

Marci182

1 min 48 sec
69 mths ago

33

Faby & Jack

0 min 46 sec
69 mths ago

Hello everyone!
Well....debates wouldn't be interesting...without a bit of polemic....would they?
We are glad to see, Marysia that you are more flexible on that now, because there had been others threads where you took the opposite side, we mean, you felt we were going out of the theme in discussion.
Any way!.. we are keen to carry on as it is quite useful to practise the language.Have I made myself clear, in English?

34

Faby & Jack

0 min 34 sec
69 mths ago

As for the Americanisation we do oppose to such strong influence in our countries.
What we are seeing is the economic power of them is completely destroying our cultures.
It's not only the fast food chains, but also the satellite TV broadcasting, film makers etc.
If we don’t defend our own cultures...who is going to do i?

35

meeshkol

5 min 5 sec
69 mths ago

intransigent

arrogant

36

sheryl

0 min 41 sec
68 mths ago