Blog&News
The Meaning of a Smile In Different Cultures
2015-06-30The act of smiling is not as universal in culture as you might think and the amount people smile is culturally-influenced rather than directly related to their level of happiness with life. In some parts of the world, such as America, smiling is much more common than in less emotionally expressive countries such as Japan. It seems the difference in the amount people s
The power of words
2015-06-29“The pen is mightier than the sword.” In a short sentence and in just a few words, this popular adage has eloquently captured how powerful words can be. We have seen many examples of famous speeches made by prominent people and how these altered the course of history. This is also something we have witnessed in the financial world. While numbers, figures and charts are important in finance, it
Callers aren’t lost in translation
2015-06-26Over a decade ago, a man of Asian descent frantically dialed 911 to report a bar shooting that had erupted along South Hollywood Road in Houma. The only problem was, the man spoke little to no English, making it difficult for him to communicate critical information to dispatchers, said Mark Boudreaux, Terrebonne Parish Communications District executive director. "The only
A day of recognition and culture
2015-06-24It was a day of song, dance and learning at the Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre to commemorate National Aboriginal Day on Sunday. As a national holiday, National Aboriginal Day was first put in place to recognize the ancestors of Canada, and pay tribute to their culture. Audrey Park, chair of the board of directors for the Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre
The power of words
2015-06-19There was a sign on a septic tank truck, “Caution, Tank Full of Politicians Promises.” When we think of some politicians we might think of empty words and dull speeches that are just hearing themselves talk. How many of us are much better? The Bible says there is great power in the use of our words — but how well do we use them” We have no shortage of words in the wo
How Your Brain Understands Visual Language
2015-06-18Semioticians classify signs or sign systems in relation to the way they are transmitted. To illuminate one way semioticians look at things, let us peek at stage and film semiotics, which study the various codes and signs on stage and in the movies, and how they are interpreted by the viewer in spite of their artificiality. In film, the actors often stand one behind the other, facing the
Steps to Activate Your Company’s Culture
2015-06-17You cannot just talk about your company's culture or value. You must demonstrate them through action, making certain they manifest outwardly. Far too often, it is just talk. A recent conversation that I had with a service provider illustrates this point. The provider, when asked, said that they differentiate their offer by providing superior customer service. "How do you know that you are in fact
Words may differ where meanings do not
2015-06-16All these years, you have been walking around thinking you have a breastbone when, in fact, humans have a sternum. It is also true for our collar bones — clavicles — and our jaw bone or mandible. Part of any science or expertise is to learn a language different from the ordinary. We know about atoms and molecules, but the nuclear physicists talk about spin, quarks and co
Why Are Some Languages Harder to Learn than Others?
2015-06-15It’s common for people to describe languages as being relatively easier or harder to learn than others. English speakers usually agree that languages such as Hungarian and Mongolian are particularly challenging but often find Spanish relatively easy to pick up. In many cases it’s the degree of similarity between the language you’re trying to learn and your or
Signs to Good Words
2015-06-12My mother, father, and brother vanished. What happens now? I lack the words to express my sorrow, my future and... Mid-sentence, I struggled to convey this agony. My imagination was congested. I tried to force myself into the mind of my protagonist, but couldn't find the words. So I dropped my pencil and unfinished story. I turned to sign language. If I couldn't write or spe
