Month: May 2018

Uncategorized

Statement of Self

| oconnelldc20

Dellinger and Co

05/05/2018

450 Burma Road Lexington, VA, 24450

Reader,

I can use native Spanish on local paperwork, make connections between Spanish culture and my own, and learn and use cultural practices, products, and practices. This is all possible through my enrollment in SP204X at VMI. The lessons learned are invaluable and will be for the changing world ahead of me.

I can identify societal/cultural leanings through discerning a deeper meaning from a Spanish commercial about the lottery in native Spanish. The commercial while being about a large sum of money used an emotional backstory/tone to demonstrate Spain’s unique sense of community. That commercial showed the difference in culture that I will experience and I used my base of knowledge to discover a deeper meaning underneath a piece of marketing.

I can fill out a native form on reserving a hotel room with no assistance in Spanish through the use of context clues, a limited vocabulary, and past experience. The process of reserving a room is more complicated when another language is involved.

In the Webcast Script, I identified cultural values, practices, and perspectives in relation to business and social situations. I learned a great deal through research and can use this knowledge to make a Spanish infomercial on advice for someone traveling to Colombia in Spanish. The back translation was challenging, but I can convey a message with intermediate Spanish to show cultural leanings and practices. This activity also would help me in the future if I choose to visit Colombia. The taboo topics, like the cartel, discussed are important to avoid hurting relationships.

I can identify issues/mood change through discerning body language in a nonverbal exercise. The non-verbal exercise of the 5 Card game provided me with a new experience. That task was challenging an rewarding. I made assumptions on other based on their actions, because verbally we were limited. Their actions would show whether they we good or bad objectively. I finally learned that the activity was about body language. Body language when there is a language barrier can be all the difference. Some were visually upset, and some happy with their winnings. The take-away is to enter a country with an open-mind and stance to seem approachable. When keeping positive with a verbal barrier can build a bond, because body language is universal.

Sincerely,Daniel C O’Connell

Business Practices in Colombia

Hotel Reservation Activity

| oconnelldc20

In 204x, we are exposed to many items that are native to Spanish culture; ie not some print off from an online activity. My favorite activity was making a hotel reservation. This was due to the practicality of having to deal with non-english speakers while on business travel. During the activity we would have to use context clues and deduce the meaning for some lines on the form.

The reservation had to meet specifications that the clients would prefer. For example, when reading the activity we had to deduce that the room had to be a mountain view. With my limited vocabulary knowledge from my textbook and the small amount of given information I completed the task. Most Spanish used in today’s generation can be deduced from knowing surrounding words or from previous experience with similar forms/exchanges.

Now, having passed with flying colors, I can identify what information is needed and how to apply it. This seemingly simple task can be daunting in a foreign country, but with this prior experience I can safely say I would be more confident in the future when traveling abroad.

Business Practices in Colombia

Webcast Script

| oconnelldc20

On the webcast, I prepared a script to discuss business practices, perspectives, products, and taboos in an infomercial. This task is a challenging one that made me step back as an American. I used multiple sites to discuss taboos and perspectives. Columbian culture is very unique. Throughout the project, I found myself relating more and more to the culture. Their conservative beliefs and faith made me feel for their problems with cartels and drug trafficking.

If I ever visit Colombia I must know what is taboo and what is encouraged. In Colombia, no person is an individual and they love to talk about national treasures and their beautiful scenery. Us Americans love to talk politics and we don’t realize that in a conservative catholic state trying to escape its dark past, it is not okay to discuss such things. For example, I should not discuss negatives of bull-fighting and their issues with cartels. Even though Colombian’s are very personable with business associates, it can be seen as a personal affront.

Colombian culture and their products are beautiful with a rich history, color, and diversity. The country can provide beautiful music such as cumbia, vallento, and llanero. When working on the webcast I listened to a little and I was hooked. Their culture is very aware of American culture and they expect the same back. When visiting Colombia, or an country for that matter, we as American’s must take time to learn the practices associated between friends and business associates. This shows mutual respect to the indigenous population that they deserve.