How do I learn Japanese? Our 10 tips for beginners

Opening the door to someone's home is like discovering the intimacy of a culture. The layout of the house, the location of the rooms, the lifestyle inside: all of this reveals much more than just practical preferences. Here is an overview of ways of living in different parts of the world. The living room: the heart of the home or a private space?  In many Western countries, the living room is the central place, both for family and social gatherings. In South Korea and Japan, rooms can be multifunctional and adapted to suit the time of day. Sometimes, certain rooms remain closed to visitors, reserved for family or ancestors. The relationship with the floor: mats, tatami or shoes?  In many countries in Asia and the Middle East, people remove their shoes before entering someone's home as a sign of respect and cleanliness. Floors are sometimes used as a place to rest, eat or pray. This relationship with the floor reflects an approach to comfort and intimacy that differs from that of Western countries. The role of the kitchen  The kitchen can be open and convivial (as in Scandinavia), or, conversely, separate and functional. In some cultures, it is a space reserved for women. Elsewhere, it becomes the heart of the home, a place for passing on culinary traditions and for family gatherings. The bedroom: private or shared space?  The concept of a single bedroom is a recent Western invention. In many parts of the world, people share their bedrooms, and even their beds, with their siblings. The notion of privacy varies from one culture to another, as do the layout and use of rooms.   How we live in our homes says a lot about our relationship with others, with space, and with privacy. Exploring these differences broadens our perspective. At Globespeaker, learning languages also opens the door to lifestyles around the world.  

What makes people laugh in one country may leave others cold, or even cause misunderstandings. Humour is one of the most sensitive reflections of a culture: it depends on language, history, taboos and social codes. Understanding the humour of a language means gaining access to a form of cultural complicity. Types of humour vary from one culture to another.  British humour plays on absurdity and self-deprecation. In France, we love puns and satire. In Japan, the comedy duo ‘manzai’ is based on the contrasting roles of the “boke” (the naive one) and the ‘tsukkomi’ (the one who corrects). In Russia, black humour often reflects the trials and tribulations of history. What may shock or disturb Making jokes about politics, religion or family is tolerated in some countries, but taboo in others. Misunderstandings often arise from these cultural differences. A harmless sketch in one language can become offensive when translated literally. The codes of the implicit and the unspoken  Some cultures value indirect humour, double meanings and subtle irony. Others prefer visual humour or caricature. Understanding the rules of linguistic play is essential to grasping the intention behind a joke. Why humour brings people together  Laughing together creates a bond. Knowing how to use (or at least understand) humour in another language means entering into social intimacy. It requires finesse, observation, and a good dose of self-deprecation too!   Humour is a powerful cultural key. With Globespeaker, you learn a language in context, with its codes and subtleties. Sometimes it makes you laugh, but above all, it helps you understand others better.