Language, or specifically the words that make up a phrase, can reveal the attitude or perspective of a culture. And the attitude shown refelcts the values that are important to a culture. In America, for example, there is a 'can do spirit', an importance put on achieving goals, even aggressively, if needed. In a book called Working with Americans: How to build profitable business relationships, authors Allyson Stewart-Allen and Lanie Denslow give some examples of expressions that show the American attitude:
"Run for office" - this phrase expresses that the politician desires to achieve the post so much that he or she will run as if running in a race to win.
"What goes around, comes around." - This means that each individual has the power to influence another, so use your power wisely. Your bad or good behavior will eventually come back to meet you!
Here are a few I have thought about:
"Just do it." - a classic Nike ad that demostrates Americans' willingness to take risks, even big ones, to achieve higher and higher goals.
"Go for it." - similar to "Just do it".
"You can't win if you don't play." - This phrase is often used when talking about the lottery. It's a common desire to win the lottery, but you will never win if you don't buy a ticket. The phrase can also mean that if you don't take a risk to do the action required, you won't achieve the end result.
The last comment I want to make is to all of the people who wonder why American English has so many expressions from sports. The answer: Americans put a big emphasis on winning, or achieving, just as athletes focus on winning the game, achieving the championship!
"Run for office" - this phrase expresses that the politician desires to achieve the post so much that he or she will run as if running in a race to win.
"What goes around, comes around." - This means that each individual has the power to influence another, so use your power wisely. Your bad or good behavior will eventually come back to meet you!
Here are a few I have thought about:
"Just do it." - a classic Nike ad that demostrates Americans' willingness to take risks, even big ones, to achieve higher and higher goals.
"Go for it." - similar to "Just do it".
"You can't win if you don't play." - This phrase is often used when talking about the lottery. It's a common desire to win the lottery, but you will never win if you don't buy a ticket. The phrase can also mean that if you don't take a risk to do the action required, you won't achieve the end result.
The last comment I want to make is to all of the people who wonder why American English has so many expressions from sports. The answer: Americans put a big emphasis on winning, or achieving, just as athletes focus on winning the game, achieving the championship!
3 comments:
I agree, I'm impressed by the "can do spirit. Very different from the Swedish "don't think you are special"-mentality even if I think that is slowly changing
Thanks for your comment, Ulrika! There are some downsides to the "can do" spirit: busy, fast-paced, money-making, sometimes agressive atmosphere in our society. But, in general, it's a positive mentality if not allowed to become disruptive.
Hello dear friend its so good and informative site. I love your insight on the details.Business Communication thanks
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