Let's Explore: Customs, Clothing and Food of Different Places

Hello! Welcome to your study notes for the "Cultures of the World" module. In this section, we're going to take a fascinating journey around the globe without even leaving our seats! We'll be exploring the amazing variety of customs, clothing, and food that make each place unique.

Why is this important for your HKDSE English? Because it helps you:

  • Build a rich vocabulary to describe the world around you.

  • Understand different types of texts, like travel blogs and reviews.

  • Communicate your ideas more effectively in both speaking and writing.

  • Develop cultural awareness, which is a key skill for becoming a global citizen.

Don't worry if this seems like a lot. We'll break it all down into simple, easy-to-understand parts. Let's get started!


Section 1: Building Your Cultural Vocabulary

Before we can discuss different cultures, we need the right words! Think of vocabulary as the building blocks for all your communication. Let's build a strong foundation.

Part A: Words for Customs and Traditions

Customs are the accepted ways of behaving or doing things in a society. Every culture has them!

  • Tradition (n.): A belief or custom passed down from one generation to another.
    Example: The lion dance is a famous Chinese New Year tradition.

  • Etiquette (n.): The set of formal rules for polite behaviour in a society or group.
    Example: In Japan, it is part of dining etiquette to slurp your noodles to show you enjoy them.

  • Festival (n.): A special day or period of celebration.
    Example: Diwali, the festival of lights, is a major holiday in India.

  • Ritual (n.): A formal ceremony or series of acts that is always performed in the same way.
    Example: A traditional tea ceremony in Japan is a very precise and beautiful ritual.

  • Greeting (n.): Something friendly or polite that you say or do when you meet someone.
    Example: A common greeting in Thailand is the "wai", where you press your palms together.

Part B: Words for Clothing

Clothing tells a story about a place's history, climate, and values.

  • Traditional attire (n.): The special clothes worn by a particular group of people for festivals or ceremonies.
    Example: The Scottish kilt is a well-known piece of traditional attire.

  • Garment (n.): A piece of clothing.
    Example: The Indian sari is a beautiful garment made from a single long piece of cloth.

  • Textile (n.): Any type of cloth or woven fabric.
    Example: African cultures are famous for their colourful and patterned textiles.

  • Costume (n.): A set of clothes worn in order to look like someone else, especially for a performance or party.
    Example: Dancers at the Rio Carnival in Brazil wear elaborate and colourful costumes.

Part C: Words for Food

Food is one of the most exciting ways to experience a new culture!

  • Cuisine (n.): A style or method of cooking, especially as characteristic of a particular country or region.
    Example: Italian cuisine is famous for its pasta and pizza.

  • Delicacy (n.): A rare or expensive food item that is considered highly desirable.
    Example: Bird's nest soup is considered a delicacy in Chinese cuisine.

  • Staple food (n.): A food that is eaten routinely and forms the main part of a diet.
    Example: Rice is the staple food for more than half of the world's population.

  • Flavour (n.): The distinctive taste of a food or drink.
    Example: Thai food is known for its complex balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavours.

Quick Review Box

To talk about culture, you need a variety of words. Remember these categories:
- Customs: tradition, etiquette, festival
- Clothing: attire, garment, textile
- Food: cuisine, delicacy, staple food

Key Takeaway for Section 1:
A strong vocabulary is your key to unlocking conversations and texts about different cultures. Try to use one new word from this list every day!


Section 2: Reading and Understanding Cultural Texts

In the HKDSE exam, you will encounter different text types. For this topic, you are likely to see travel blogs, food reviews, poems, or song lyrics about different places. Let's learn how to tackle them.

Text Type 1: Travel Blogs and Reviews

These texts are usually written in a more personal and informal style. Their main purpose is to share experiences and give opinions.

Features to look for:

  • Personal Tone: Use of "I", "we", "my".

  • Descriptive Language: Lots of adjectives and adverbs to paint a picture (e.g., "the absolutely stunning temple," "the incredibly delicious street food").

  • Opinions and Recommendations: Phrases like "I think...", "You must visit...", "I highly recommend...".

  • Informal Language: Sometimes uses slang or conversational phrases.

How to Read a Travel Blog Effectively (Step-by-Step)

  1. Skim for the Main Idea: Read the title and the first paragraph. What is the writer's overall feeling about the place or experience?

  2. Scan for Key Details: Look for names of places, foods, or specific customs. What specific things is the writer describing?

  3. Identify Facts vs. Opinions: A fact is something that can be proven (e.g., "The festival is held in April"). An opinion is the writer's personal feeling (e.g., "It was the most exciting festival ever").

  4. Understand the Writer's Attitude: Is the writer positive, negative, or neutral? Look for clue words (e.g., amazing, disappointing, interesting).

Common Mistake to Avoid!

Don't assume everything in a blog post is 100% objective truth. It's one person's experience. Always ask yourself, "Is this a fact or the writer's personal opinion?" This is a key critical thinking skill.

Text Type 2: Poems and Songs

Poems and songs use language creatively to express feelings and ideas about culture. They might not be as direct as a blog post.

What to focus on:

  • Imagery: Language that appeals to our five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch). A song might describe the "smell of spices in the market" or the "sound of festive drums".

  • Theme: What is the main message or feeling about the culture? Is it about celebration, family, nature, or something else?

Did you know? Many folk songs around the world tell stories about a country's history, heroes, and traditions. They are a form of living history!

Key Takeaway for Section 2:
Different text types have different rules and purposes. When you read, first identify the text type (is it a blog, a poem?), and then you'll know what to look for—facts and opinions in a blog, or imagery and themes in a poem.


Section 3: Expressing Yourself: Speaking and Writing about Culture

Now it's your turn to produce the language! This is crucial for your Writing and Speaking papers. The key is to be respectful and clear.

Part A: Your Speaking Toolkit

In group discussions, you might be asked to compare different festivals or discuss the importance of preserving traditions. Here are some useful phrases to help you sound confident and respectful.

Describing a Custom or Food:

  • "In [country], it's a common tradition to..."

  • "A famous dish from [place] is called [name]. It's made with..."

  • "The traditional clothing is known as [name], which is often worn during..."

Comparing and Contrasting Cultures:

  • "This is quite similar to [our culture], where we also..."

  • "That's interesting. In Hong Kong, we do it differently. We tend to..."

  • "One key difference is that..."

Giving Opinions Respectfully:

  • "I find it fascinating that..."

  • "From my perspective, preserving such traditions is important because..."

  • "While it might seem unusual to us, I think we should respect their way of life."

Encouragement Corner

Feeling nervous about speaking? That's completely normal! The best way to build confidence is to start with these sentence starters. They give you a strong, clear way to begin your point. Practice with a friend!

Part B: Writing Your Own Cultural Piece

Imagine you have to write a blog post about a festival you attended or a special meal you ate. Here’s a simple structure to follow.

Simple Blog Post Structure

  1. Catchy Title: Make it interesting! e.g., "My Unforgettable Taste of Thailand!"

  2. Introduction: Briefly say where you were and what you are going to write about.

  3. Body Paragraph 1: Describe the Scene. Use your senses! What did you see, hear, and smell?

  4. Body Paragraph 2: Describe the Action. What happened? What did people do? What was the custom?

  5. Conclusion: Share Your Feelings. How did the experience make you feel? Would you recommend it to others?

Pro Tip: Write with Your Senses!

Don't just say, "The food was good." Make your reader feel like they are there with you!

  • Taste: Was it sweet, sour, spicy, savoury?

  • Smell: Did it smell fragrant, smoky, sweet?

  • Sight: What were the colours? Was it vibrant, colourful, beautifully presented?

  • Sound: Was there sizzling, chopping, music, laughter?

Key Takeaway for Section 3:
When speaking or writing about culture, use your vocabulary (Section 1) and structure your ideas clearly. Always aim to be descriptive and respectful.


Section 4: The Big Picture: Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness

This is the most important part! Learning about other cultures is not about memorising facts. It's about developing an attitude of respect and open-mindedness. This is a core value the syllabus wants you to develop.

Think of it like this: your culture is your 'home' software. Other people have different software. Neither is better or worse—they are just different. The goal is to understand how their software works without judging it.

Do's and Don'ts when Discussing Cultures

DO:

  • Be curious. Ask questions to understand, not to judge.

  • Use neutral language. Instead of "That's weird," try "That's different from what I'm used to."

  • Acknowledge diversity. Remember that not everyone from one country behaves in the same way.

DON'T:

  • Use stereotypes. Avoid saying things like "All people from [country] are..."

  • Assume your way is the 'normal' way. What is normal in Hong Kong might be unusual elsewhere, and vice-versa.

  • Make fun of a custom or tradition. What may seem funny to you could be very meaningful to someone else.

Final Key Takeaway:
Exploring customs, clothing, and food is a window into understanding people. By learning the right language and adopting a respectful attitude, you not only prepare for your exams but also become a better communicator and a more thoughtful person. Good luck!