Threats of globalization on culture of individual countries

Threats of globalization on culture of individual countries Globalization is the process through which the world community integrates into a common social and economic system (Steger, 2009). It is the tendency of technologies and business to spread all over the world. It involves interaction among countries in the world, to enhance global economic growth. Through globalization, there is a technological, economical, political and cultural exchange, which is made possible by advances in communication, transportation and infrastructure. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Threats of globalization on culture of individual countries specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It refers to the process through which people in the world are incorporated into a single world society. The world has become a â€Å"global village† this is due to the expansion of communication networks, the rapid information exchange and the lifting of barriers of visas and passports (Nederveen, 2003). Globalizat ion leads to both negative and positive impacts on different countries. This question requires the discussion of negative impact of globalization on the culture of individual countries. The process of globalization aims at bringing people from diverse cultural background together in the future. This future does not belong to any culture, but it must be a shared project, which allows the inclusion of all. Culture, is the way of life of a group of people including, traditions, customs, beliefs, language, behavior, rituals as well as music (Cowen, 2004). Cultural heritage represents the major wealth of developing countries. Globalization has largely affected the culture of several countries particularly the developing countries. Cultural diversity is a source of innovation and creativity. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), states that nature’s secrets in songs, stories, art and handicrafts of indigenous people may become extinct because of growing globalization (Grisw old, 2008). The threat of extinction to cultural heritage is usually noticed in Asia, Africa, and in the Middle East. Globalization causes rapid flow of people, products and information, which menaces the minority society, particularly their cultural heritage. Study shows that many indigenous languages and cultures are on the verge of becoming extinct due to globalization. It is estimated that there are about 7000 spoken languages in the world with 5000 of these estimated to be indigenous. About 2500 indigenous languages are in danger of becoming extinct, and many more are losing their link in the natural world. Papua New Guinea constitutes the most spoken languages about 847 different languages are spoken. The main languages under threat of extinction are those spoken by 1000 people or less (Held Anthony, 2004). In addition, in those regions that the mother tongue is only spoken by old people, and shunned by young people. According to researchers, over 1000 languages are spoken b y between 101 and 1000 individuals. Only up to 100 people speak around 500 languages. About two hundred and thirty languages have already been faced out because of globalization. Researchers estimate that 90 per cent of the languages in the world will have become extinct in the next 100 years (Moghadam, 2008).Advertising Looking for essay on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Several indigenous people have an interest in having a wide variety of plants and animals to have diverse source of food. Because, of the impact of western style- civilization and its farming methods. These varieties of plants and animals encouraged by the native people are rapidly fading out along with their generic diversity. Globalization is highly increasing the threat of crop failure around the world because of generic uniformity in the world’s main cash crops. For instance, research indicates that there were 287 varieties of carrots in 1903, but this has dropped to just 21 today, a fall of 92.7 per cent. About 460 different types of radish were there in 1903, but this has reduced to 27 indicating a 94.2 per cent decline. Around 500 varieties of lettuce were known in 1905, but this has dropped to only 36 (Griswold, 2008). The decline of languages, culture and traditions caused by globalization has affected the sources of medicine. Many native people have local knowledge of plants and, parts of animals, such as herbs and flowers, which they use as medicine. These traditional medicines could give a clue on how to develop new drugs for the west. These people have knowledge about the right part of plants and animals, which can be used to make natural medicines. They also know the best season in which to harvest so they contain the maximum amount of health compounds (Smith, 2001). This knowledge is usually indicated in rituals and ceremonies showing how culture, language, religion and spiritual beliefs cannot be separated from their understanding of the natural world. For instance, the Aka pygmies of the Central African Republican use magic and rituals together with herbal medicines to cure the sick (Taylor, 2003). They use plant species to cure a majority of the most common diseases. These species grow in different types of forest, and this helps pygmies to cure themselves when travelling. Globalization has also affected cultures of developed countries. In Japan the rapid progress in industrialization and modernization from Meiji era onward, has led to the decline in traditional performing arts, social practices and artisanship. The benefits of globalization such as democracy and poverty reduction are highly recognized in Japan (Rodrik, 2011). In Greenland and many other indigenous societies, many words in the language are related to the way people lived traditionally. This makes the language to be in danger of diminishing in the society. Also in Greenland there are sev eral names for snow and ice because it is necessary for hunters to differentiate them, but many children today know only a few of these names. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Threats of globalization on culture of individual countries specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Globalization has also affected religion particularly in the developing countries, which has led to the loss of local identity in the cultural sphere. Globalization is now threatening the oldest cultures in the world. For instance, â€Å"siriani† the language spoken by Jesus is vanishing in the few villages of Lebanon, Syria and Iraq (Smith, 2001). In Iran, a country, which was particularly rich in regional languages that traditionally remained spoken at all, levels of the society, many rare languages are vanishing. Written languages are also affected by globalization. This is evident in borrowed words that lead to, word for word translation of phrases that do not fit grammatically (Griswold, 2008). Media globalization also affects culture of societies. For example, the lilting tones of street English spoken by black Americans in New York, spread through television and were adopted in some parts of London. In large areas of Western Europe, vernacular instrumental music was faced out by internal globalization long time ago. Vernacular singing is also fading away particularly in Southern Europe, Wales in Britain and Ireland. In the Middle East and Far East, sound pollution is common, sophisticated music is more affected than vernacular music. In Iran a few years ago, Russian tunes were corrupting Iranian music as relayed by Tehran radio programmes. In Afghanistan North Indian, singing was blared on Kabul radio (Taylor, 2003). Globalization has also influenced the mode of dressing. In Western world itself, globalization has spread similar costumes. In China, there is adoption of dress forms and customs, which started some t ime ago. In Malaysia, many people have adopted English as their primary language. They speak English all the time and prefer English language media (Griswold, 2008). Summary and conclusion Globalization may have a positive or negative impact on individual countries. The negative impact of globalization to the cultural heritage is a threat. Most of countries in Africa and Middle East are facing a crisis of globalization on their rich culture. Globalization is advancing, and people should reconsider the importance of their cultural heritage. Many cultures across the globe are slowly diminishing due to the overwhelming effects of globalization (Moghadam, 2008). The most dominant way that globalization is seen to be a threat to culture is through languages. Advertising Looking for essay on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Most of developing countries are trying to adopt English as their primary language. Vernacular languages are on the decline and are on the verge of becoming extinct (Stiglitz, 2003). Another way is through religion, where tradition beliefs among the native people are diminishing. Dressing is also influenced by globalization; where many countries are adopting western fashion. Finally, threat of globalization to the culture of individual countries is manifested in the declining of traditional plants and animals. Most of the indigenous crops and animals are diminishing in the native countries (Griswold, 2008). Reference List Cowen, T. (2004). Creative Destruction:How globalization is changing the worlds culture. New York: Princeton University Press. Griswold, W. (2008). Cultures and societies in a changing world. London: Pine Forge Press. Held, D., Anthony, M. (2004). Global Transformations:Politics,economics and culture. Chicago: Stanford University Press. Moghadam, V. (2008). Globa lization and social movements. Chicago: Rowman Littlefield. Nederveen, J. (2003). Globalization and culture. Chicago: Rowman Littlefield. Rodrik, D. (2011). The globalization paradox. Chicago: W.W.Norton Company. Smith, P. (2001). Cultural theory. New York: Wiley-Blackwell. Steger, M. (2009). globalizatin:A very short introduction. Chicago: Oxford University Press. Stiglitz, J. (2003). Globalisation and its discontents. Chicago: W.W.Norton Company. Taylor, M. (2003). The moment of complexity:Emerging network culture. Chicago: University Of Chicago Press.

Merriam-Websters Words of the Year 2008

Merriam-Websters Words of the Year 2008 Merriam-Websters Words of the Year 2008 Merriam-Websters Words of the Year 2008 By Maeve Maddox The most looked-up words in the online Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2008 reflect the nations preoccupation with discussions surrounding the Presidential campaign. Seven of the tenbailout, vet, socialism, maverick, rogue, misogyny, and bipartisanhave political associations. The other threeturmoil, trepidation, and precipicehave appreared frequently this year in discussions of the stock market and the economy. Some of these words have more colorful backgrounds than others. bailout [bÄ lout] When I hear bailout I have the mental image of corporation executives in 3-piece suits sitting in a leaking boat, tossing bucketfuls of water overboad as fast as they can, and scanning the horizon for a ship that will rescue them. The verb to bail, with the sense toss water out of a boat comes from a word for bucket. vet [vÄ•t] This verb, with the meaning to examine carefully before approving, may derive from the examination of a racehorse by a veterinarian before a race. Kipling used it in this sense in 1904. Its meaning expanded to mean the careful vetting of anything requiring approval, from a manuscript to a job applicant. The word was apparently unfamiliar to a lot of Americans until Obama used it. I heard it used frequently when I lived in England. socialism [sÃ… shÉ™-lÄ ­zÉ™m] Not at all an unfamiliar word to Americans, the spike in looking it up may have had something to do with the contradictory ways in which the word was being used. While the socialism label was being waved about as a Bad Thing by campaigners, the federal government was practicing what seemed to be a form of socialism by taking over ownership of Wall Streets mortgage-backed assets. rogue [rÃ… g] When Sarah Palin supposedly contradicted something McCain had said, TV commentators kept saying shed gone rogue. Their meaning seemed to be that shed become uncontrollable, rather like a rogue elephant trampling its keepers. Here are some definitions of rogue from Merriam-Webster: adjective: resembling or suggesting a rogue elephant, especially in being isolated, aberrant, dangerous, or uncontrollable corrupt, dishonest of or being a nation whose leaders defy international law or norms of international behavior noun: a dishonest or worthless person; scoundrel a mischievous person : scamp a horse inclined to shirk or misbehave an individual exhibiting a chance and usually inferior biological variation misogyny [mÄ ­-sÃ… jÉ™-nÄ“] hatred of women. The question of misogyny comes up whenever a woman runs for office. This years campaign with two high profile women explains interest in this word. maverick [mÄÆ'vÉ™r-Ä ­k or mÄÆ'vrÄ ­k]- John McCain frequently described himself as a maverick. When Sarah Palin joined his campaign, she too adopted the epithet. They used it in the sense of person who is not controlled by others. Maverick is an eponynm. Samuel Maverick (1803-1870) was a lawyer, politician, and land baron who refused to brand his cattle. He claimed he didnt want to hurt them, but other ranchers believed he didnt brand them so that he could then claim any unbranded calf as his own. Maverick first meant an unbranded calf, but came to have the figurative sense of masterless. bipartisan [(bÄ «-prtÄ ­-zÉ™n, -sÉ™n] Heres a word that sounds pretty good at the end of a two year campaign filled with inter- and intra-party bickering: of, relating to, or involving members of two parties; specifically, marked by or involving cooperation, agreement, and compromise between two major political parties. I can vote for that! The remaining three words in the Top Ten are all fraught with scary connotations. trepidation [trÄ•pÄ ­-dÄ shÉ™n] from a Latin word meaning to tremble, trepidation is a synonym for fear. People who regard a situation with trepidation may be shaking in their boots. Ex. Chinas Widening Footprint Prompts Trepidation. precipice [prÄ•sÉ™-pÄ ­s] from a Latin word meaning headlong, a precipice is a steep eminence from which it would be very scary to fall, as in Were hurtling over the economic precipice. turmoil [tà »rmoil] a state or condition of extreme confusion, agitation, or commotion, as in World Economic Turmoil. Maybe next year well be looking up happier words. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Regarding Re:The Four Sounds of the Spelling OU