Andra Tamil and the ‘shock’ factor

When you have stepped off the plane into a new cultural world, initially you may experience a sense of overwhelming fascination and awe. Everything around you is new: a different language, different dress, or a confusing transit system. Slowly you begin to adapt. You learn some language and begin to notice certain cultural nuances. This process takes time.

Most of us mention about Andara Demala when we talk on something we do not understand. When I study linguistics, I learned that it is a Dravidian language used in Andra Pradesh, India.

We use that phrase as a figure of speech in Sri Lanka, but you will come across real Andara Demala situations if you travel to a place where an unknown language is spoken.

Culture shock

You may have heard these words - Culture Shock - already and possibly within a negative context.

A language alien to you also can you a shock. As a country which mostly depends of migrant labor, it is vital to think deep on language shock felt by migrant workers.

Most of the Sri Lankans handle this quite well in English speaking countries. As an accredited Sinhalese/English translator in Australia, I know how less my client base in here. The reason for this is that the majority of Sri Lankans has been exposed to some form of English in their lives, as English has been taught as a second language in Sri Lanka.

But things get quite complicated when you travel or migrate to a country where English is not its first language. Migrant workers who live in Arabic speaking countries, Italy, France or Japan may experience the language shock of higher magnitude.

Your survival greatly depends on how fast you learn the language. Also, kids who accompany their parents to those countries face more challenges as they are forced to study in an alien language in the schools.

Once you switch on the TV, you might listen the news bulletin in an unknown language, songs and movies and so on. In the morning you might be greeted in a different language. Eventually you will face a learn or leave kind of situation.

Culture or language shock is defined as a psychological disorientation that most people experience when living in a culture markedly different from one’s own. The shock occurs when our cultural clues, the signs and symbols which guide social interaction, are stripped away. A difficult part of this process for adults is the experience of feeling like children again, of not knowing instinctively the ‘right’ thing to do.

Cultural adjustment

Usually the cultural adjustment process follows a certain pattern. At first, everyone will be excited about going overseas and starting a new adventure.

When you first arrive, everything will appear new and exciting.

However, after some time, you may start to feel homesick and question why these native people do things differently than we do.

You may even become irritated with these differences. However, you will eventually get used to this new way of life.

We all know that if you are willing to communicate, there are many alternative ways for that other than just speech.

Listening carefully will help to understand most of the speakers as their pitch and tone will give some idea. Remember that body language (such as gestures, facial expressions, body motions, eye contact) convey meaning in communication, as well. Be aware and pay attention.

Sometimes our values and beliefs will conflict and sometimes they will converge with the cultures we visit.

The better you are able to adjust to the differences, the greater the ability you will have in empathizing and communicating with those with whom you come in contact.