Two-way Exchange in Cultures - Term Paper Example

Globalization There are various consequences of globalization and the use of English as a global language. These consequences are both negative andpositive for many countries – who often benefit or who are disadvantaged by globalization. Globalization creates positive consequences in the sense that, most people get to enjoy the familiarity of certain products like a Starbucks coffee or a McDonald’s cheeseburger wherever they may be in the world. There is also a two-way exchange in cultures due to globalization, with the West and the rest of the world interacting with each other. The United States is influencing the rest of the world through its culture and products, but the United States is also influenced by the culture of other countries. The United States is composed of different ethnicities and religions – the Jews, the Christians, the Muslims, the Hindus, and the Buddhists, and these ethnicities and religions have been absorbed and assimilated by Americans as part of their own culture. Traditional practices in medicine have also been integrated into our practice because of the proven benefits that they have managed to bring forth to patients and our country in general. These traditional practices include acupuncture, acupressure, and some herbal medications (Andrzejczyk, p. 96). Mega-corporations from other countries have also managed to make good business here in the United States, including Toyota, Sony, and Mitsubishi. Feng Shui, a distinctly Chinese practice is also being applied in many homes and by many designers in the United States. Through these practices there has been a mutual global cultural exchange, making it possible for different countries to be in closer contact with each other and to be more in touch with other countries. According to the “One Ku (cool) Language for All,” (Andrzejczyk, p. 149) the use of English as a universal language has also made it possible for nations to relate and communicate with each other as traders and as businessmen. The shift in this globalized world and the use of English represents a more willing participation of countries as global players in the economy. The common language has also managed to make our world smaller and easier for people to embrace and conceptualize. Just as globalization brings forth benefits, it can also bring about negative consequences. Its negative consequences are on the effects of the culture in the country where it is introduced, especially when it does not share the culture of the home country of the product being introduced. This is sometimes referred to as the McDonaldization of world culture. In this scenario, we see the distinct qualities of a culture being set- aside in favor of the new and Westernized culture. For example, China’s children are traditionally not allowed to order food for themselves and to pay for the food themselves. But in McDonald’s outlets, children are allowed to choose their food and to pay for their food. In a way, this practice debases the traditional Chinese practice in favor of the new and Western practice of ordering food (Andrzejczyk, p. 95). With other products, like coffee, the same dangers on culture are being imposed. In countries like Italy, where coffee drinking is not just done ‘on-the-go,’ but as a part of their culture and their socialization process, Starbucks outlets have threatened this practice and culture. Now drinking coffee in some parts of Italy is no longer about lingering and being with friends, it is about being at pace with the American culture. People do not even realize that by trying to keep pace with American culture, they are discarding their unique culture – a culture which is distinctly theirs (Andrzejczyk, p. 95). Another disadvantage of globalization is its effect on local industries. The sheer power and reach of multinational corporations is often so extensive that it swallows and overruns many local industries. In Mexico, structures like Great Pyramid of the Moon have been threatened by the building of traditional markets have been lost with the introduction of Wal-Mart outlets (Andrzejczyk, p. 95). Local industries can hardly compete with big conglomerates, but it is these local industries which carry the cultures of the native people. And when these local industries are lost, the culture of these people is lost as well (Andrzejczyk, p. 95). Globalization seems to be more a matter of mutual global exchange between western and non-western cultures. The pattern of globalization refers to the domination of the Western culture over other countries. However, when we consider the influence that the rest of the world also has on the developed nations in the west, then it is more plausible to make a conclusion that there is a mutual global exchange between western and non-western cultures. Even as McDonalds, Starbucks, and Wal-Mart stores infiltrate non-western countries, these countries are also making their own mark in the Western world (Andrzejczyk, p. 96). We see the healthy exchange of culture when traditional Chinese medicine is being applied in many western nations. These practices include acupuncture, acupressure and the use of herbal medicines. Feng Shui traditions have also been adopted by interior designers in the West when they design homes and offices. The religious and ethnic groupings are not just tolerated by Western nations; some of these religions and ethnicities like Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and other distinctly non-western practices are being embraced by western nations. There is a healthy cultural exchange which is not one-sided, as both the western and non-western nations are making their mark on the other. One example is a McDonald’s branch in Hacienda Heights, California which is found in an area with a largely Asian and Asian-American population. In order to adjust to the culture of the people in the area, McDonald’s designed the branch using the teachings and concepts of Feng Shui (Andrzejczyk, p. 97). The practice consequently made the place non-western and still very much located in a Western nation. We also see many of the products of non-western nations being richly patronized by western nations with companies like Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Sony, even making large profits in the western nations. Globalization seems to more a matter of global exchange between western and non-western cultures because a common language is being embraced as a greater possibility. English has now been accepted as a major and primary language for most nations, especially as far as business transactions and international diplomacy is concerned. Countries in Southeast Asia see the importance of learning English and as a crucial factor in order to participate and be competent in this global economy. In China, they add about 1000 words yearly – such words being English or a mixture of English and their native language – into their vocabulary (Andrzejczyk, p. 151). The language is being updated regularly as many more words seem to be assimilated and added every day. Despite these new additions to the language of non-western nations, we can still clearly identify the distinct languages of the people as they speak it. We can still distinguish the Chinese, Japanese, German, and the French languages when we hear them. They are known to us and are not discarded despite the possible universality of language which can be achieved through the English language. Globalization seems to be more a matter of global exchange between western and non-western cultures because many countries have now become more open to each other. The technological innovations in telecommunications have made the cultural exchange between the cultures easier and faster. The internet has made the process of communication between two people or two businessmen, who may be at opposite ends of the globe, faster and easier. And these people can understand what the other has to offer based on the context of their place of origin. Although the world seems to be dominated by the western culture, non-western nations are managing to manifest and maintain their culture and beliefs and even managing to influence the western nations into assimilating and accepting such beliefs. Even as each nation and each citizen seems to shed a part of his unique identity when he enters a McDonald’s or a Star Bucks store, he does not shed his essential identity as a citizen of his country. He merely enriches his identity and culture—making it more encompassing and universal. Works Cited Andrzejczyk, (date). pp. 149-152. One Ku (Cool) Language for All. Andrzejczyk, (date). pp. 94-97. Western World? Read More