African Friends and Money Matters, Second Edition. David E. Maranz

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Название African Friends and Money Matters, Second Edition
Автор произведения David E. Maranz
Жанр Культурология
Серия
Издательство Культурология
Год выпуска 0
isbn 9781556713644



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place an individual in.

      Vernacular names may be difficult for outsiders to pronounce or even to spell. In such cases it will be much appreciated if a serious attempt is made to master a person’s name. Asking the person to pronounce his or her name slowly and even coaching the outsider in its pronunciation will be much appreciated as it shows a real concern for something important to that person. Writing down the name for future reference and practice in pronunciation is also a good habit. A child of a Cameroonian acquaintance of mine named one of his children after me. I felt honored until I asked the father why he had chosen my name. He said because it was the most difficult name to pronounce that he knew. I never understood the thinking involved or if my friend had given me the true reason behind the naming.

      Referring to individuals or groups as “Africans” is offensive in some areas. This comes from the perceived colonial history when Africa was called the Dark Continent and Africans were considered to be primitive or backward. It is much better to refer to people as Cameroonians or Kenyans, as the case may be, and so avoid any negative connotations. On the other hand, when the subject refers to regions or the whole continent (as is the case in this book), the general term “African” may be appropriate and unavoidable.

      Social space

      When you are eating with the devil use a long spoon.

      20 www.gambia.dk.

      21 LeVine 1970:284.

      Privacy includes limits on conversation, e.g., not bringing up subjects that are off limits in particular situations and between particular categories of people. The rules governing this kind of privacy may vary greatly from one African culture to another. They are often very formal and may involve avoidance patterns between individuals of certain relationships. They may include segregation by sex or age, and many other prescriptions and proscriptions that constrain people in the ways they interact. Westerners are often surprised at the formalities that apply even within families. I once asked a young man how old his father was. He said he did not know and could not ask. His father had never told him and he was not allowed to inquire into such personal matters. One African man invited an expat to eat with him, complaining that he was tired of eating alone. He was surrounded by his family at meal times, but avoidance rules prohibited his wife or his children from eating with him.

      22 Ibid., 286.

      Social distance

      If you climb up a tree, you must climb down from the same tree.

      23 www.worldofquotes.com.

      24 Hall 1966.

      A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness.

      25 www.allgreatquotes.com.

      26 Mani 2010:4–5.