One of the first things you are told when learning a new language is how to address people: “Hello, my name is Sarah. What’s your name?”. Of course, this is more than necessary if you want to master the language one day or another, but it remains very basic. And teachers usually forget to mention when you should use “excuse me, Sir”, as opposed to “eh John!”, which can indeed lead to very embarrassing moments.

There are countless situations upon which even native speakers wonder how they should address the other person - and this is true for all languages. The most common is probably at work, as you really don’t want your boss to think you are disrespectful, but you don’t want them to think you are too distant either… The same phenomenon occurs with one’s boyfriend’s / girlfriend’s parents – you need to be polite, but you don’t want to be too ceremonious either.

In some languages, forms of address can really get complicated and subtle, so we have made a list of our articles on the subject to help you avoid mistakes. And if in doubt, remember, the easiest way to get out of a tricky situation is to have a good sense of humor and to laugh at one’s own mistakes!

Forms of Address in English

Forms of Address in Brazil

Become a Master of Japanese Forms of Address

The Japanese Way of Addressing People

Stiff Hierarchy

Du oder Sie?

Italian Social Rules and Taboos: Don't Say Ciao!!

Homophones are those confusing words that exist in every language. They are pronounced the same as each other but totally differ in meaning. Needless to say, this can make things complicated for somebody learning a second language. Homophones are often used in word plays and games because the confusion which they create can be both confusing and amusing! Want to know more about homophones in other languages? Take a look at these articles on homophones in English, Hindi, Russian, Korean and French.

Homophones in English

Homophones in Hindi

Homophones in Russian

Korean Homophones

Homophony mania

It is generally agreed that language and culture are closely related. Language can be viewed as a verbal expression of culture. It is used to maintain and convey culture and cultural ties. Language provides us with many of the categories we use for expression of our thoughts, so it is therefore natural to assume that our thinking is influenced by the language which we use. The values and customs in the country we grow up in shape the way in which we think to a certain extent.

Cultures hiding in languages, examines the link between Japanese language and culture. An Insight into Korean Culture through the Korean Language discusses how Korean culture influences the language.

Languages spoken in Ireland, focuses on the status of the Irish language nowadays and how it has changed over time. In our big world every minute is a lesson looks at intercultural communication and examines how it can affect interactions between people from countries and backgrounds.

Read the articles below for a greater insight into the topic:

Cultures hiding in languages

An Insight into Korean Culture through the Korean Language

Languages spoken in Ireland

In our big world every minute is a lesson

Simplified Introduction to Irish Names

Language, culture and thoughts: do languages shape the way we think?

The power of words

Breizh: an endangered regional language?

Languages, marketing and advertising

An International Sea Sponge

Have you ever wondered what kind of things people from different cultures believe in? Do you know if they have the same superstitions as people in your native country? Each country in the world has its own unique set of beliefs and values. Obviously there are overlaps between these beliefs, but no two countries believe in exactly the same things. Different cultures have opposing opinions when it comes to horoscopes and fortune telling.

Poland is a Religious country but that doesn’t mean that the people there ignore all ancient pagan traditions, "Do you believe?", gives more insight into the matter. There is a strong, age-old belief in fate or predestination in China, as explained in the article, is fortune determined? Predicting the future is quite a lucrative profession in India; find out more in the article, "The future is no mystery".

In Latin America the limits between superstition and Religion are not very clear, as is outlined in this great article, "Holy Toast!". "Tasseography… it’s written in the tea leaves" takes a look at the popularity of reading tea leaves in England. Most people view it as fun but inaccurate.

Want to know more about beliefs and superstitions? Then read the full articles!

Do you Believe?

Is fortune determined?

The future is no mystery

Holy Toast!

Tasseography...it's written in the tea leaves

Consumption habits vary globally. In recent years, people’s spending spiraled out of control. This overspending contributed to the cause of the global recession. As a result of the recession people are generally more cautious with their money. So what kind of things do people from different countries spend their money on?

Do the Russian launder their money, looks at the fact that nowadays Russians are more inclined to spend their money than save it. Alcohol, fruit, fish, household goods and cosmetics are items which Russians tend to spend their money on.

How do Latin Americans and the Spanish spend their money? In South America spending varies from country to country depending on the economy. For example, it is very hard to get mortgages in Argentina so people tend to spend their money on cars. On the other hand, Colombians tend to invest their money in property.

The introduction of credit cards has had a big influence on consumption habits in Turkey. Impulse buying has become widespread as a result of this. Consumption differences between the Chinese and the Americans, discusses the differences in both cultures where money is concerned. Americans are more likely to borrow money when they want something new, whereas the Chinese are more likely to save for it.

The fun loving Romanians spend most of their money on alcohol and tobacco. Read the articles below to find out more about this interesting topic:

Do the Russians ‘launder’ their money?

How do Latin Americans and the Spanish spend their money?

Consumption habits in Turkey

Consumption differences between the Chinese and the Americans

Money, money, money… How do Romanians spend it?

Signs exist in every country. Their function is to provide important information. Therefore not understanding the language in which they are written can lead to problems! We have a collection of articles on traffic signs and other kinds of signs which you may encounter while abroad.

Traffic Signs discusses road signs in different countries. In general, there are two types of signs: the European system and the American system. In Latin America the second system is widely used, however, the signs vary from country to country. In Colombia, the signs are classified in three kinds: Warning signs, Mandatory signs and Information signs.

France-German: bilingual road signs examines bilingualism in road signage. Germany-or how to treat a sign nicely takes a funny look at road signs in Germany and challenges some stereotypes in the process!
Signs and notation conventions gives translations of common signs in Russian. It can help you open a door in the right direction and save some embarrassment!

If you want to take a more in depth look at foreign signs, why not check out the links below:

Signs and notation Conventions

Traffic signs

France-Belgium: bilingual road signs

Germany- or how to treat a road sign nicely

Slang refers to the kind of informal speech which is common in every language. We have an article series on Words everybody needs to know before going to Russia. The articles explore the matter of how the same words can have different meanings, depending on how they are used. Slang is something which doesn’t just differ internationally, but also regionally. Which Language is that, gives examples of the extensive differences in slang in different areas of Brazil. Sometimes the words are so different that native Brazilians can’t understand one another!

The Essential French Slang article, lists the most important slang words which people need to know when travelling to France. Howdy, come here! takes a look at Polish slang. As a result of Poles emigrating to English speaking countries, a mixture of Polish and English has now become quite common.

Slang is also common in Romanian, as is explained in Top of unconventional expressions you must know when visiting Romania. There is no Italian Slang!! analyses the main uses of slang in Italian and questions to what extent it exists. Young Italian speakers use a mix of dialectal expressions and geographical-related slang words. British Regional Dialects discusses how a person from one part of Britain may have problems understanding someone from another part, as a result of differing slang.

For a deeper insight into the topic of slang internationally, check out the articles below:

10 Words Everybody Needs to Know before Going to Russia. Part 1

10 words Everybody Needs to Know before Going to Russia. Part 2

10 Words Everybody Needs to Know before Going to Russia. Part 3

10 Words Everybody Needs to Know before Going to Russia. Part 4

Which Language Is That?

Essential French Slang

Howdy, come here!

Top of Unconventional Expressions You Must Know When Visiting Romania

There Is no Italian Slang!!

British Regional Dialects