Anonymous: "Don't feel pressured to adapt yourself to fit in to certain cultures."

Interviewer 采访: Ami

Translator 翻译: Ami

Editor 编辑: Ami

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ENGLISH VERSION

Please introduce yourself.

My background is one that perplexes me. I was born in Pakistan but was raised in the UAE and am now living in Canada, so I am a third culture kid. I've been privileged to have done many cool things throughout my life. I have performed as part of the children's choir in the 2019 Special Olympics Opening Ceremony, I have been in many theatre productions and have travelled to over 12 countries.

What’s your cultural background? Can you introduce it to me?

My cultural background is made up of predominantly the structure and social norms of Dubai. I am also deeply connected to my Pakistani heritage. Since my childhood was spent in Dubai, most of my mannerisms and habits reflect the ones seen in Dubai. I grew up speaking 4 languages: English, Urdu, French and Arabic.

Which community you feel more connect to? and why?

I feel more connected to the community in Dubai. Over 80% of the inhabitants are from foreign countries so it is a melting pot of cultures. My early years, where you develop your brain and become accustomed to the world, were spent in Dubai. The UAE is also a Muslim country thus I felt it was easier to stay in touch with that part of my identity.

How do you interact with people from other cultural background?

Because I was raised in an environment and went to school with people of various cultures, I don't often experience an otherworldy-ness when interacting with people from other cultural backgrounds. That said, I still find cultural practices and norm difficult to adapt to in Canada.

How will you introduce your culture to someone who know nothing about it?

I will introduce it through the creative elements and pieces of joy like music, art and food.

What are some stereotypes others may have towards your culture?

Since there are such diverse communities in Pakistan and Dubai, they each harbour different stereotypes. I was born in Islamabad, which people associate with boring people. People associate people from Dubai to be very superficial and done-up.

What are some stereotypes you have towards other cultures? and how do you know they are wrong?

I probably assume the stereotype that North Americans are very liberal. I think so because the media portrayal is so different to that of my cultures. I now know it is false because I have encountered people with different thoughts here in Canada.

What is your definition of "cultural barrier"?

When you are not able to interact or mesh into a system because of cultural differences.

(Ami: Wow that sounds like a pretty formal definition.

Interviewee: And accurate? *Laugh)

What do you think about the problem of cultural barrier? is it possible to be eliminated?

I feel like it is inevitable at the end of the day. There are ways to minimise it by being more tolerant and culturally inclusive but there will always be cultural practices and values that are not globally accepted.

Have you ever experienced a cultural barrier before?

Yes. Oddly, work ethic and educational practices were a huge cultural barrier for me.

Is language included in the cultural barrier?

I would say so.

(Ami: So do you think they usually happened separately or they are considered to be the same problem with not many big differences?

Interviewee: Well, often times they are the same thing since language is considered as a part of one's culture, but yes, it can also happen separately, such as mocking at someone's accent even though these people are from the same country with similar cultural background.)

Do you believe cultural and language barrier could lead to other problems? How can we avoid them?

Words in certain languages may sound offensive in others. People should communicate rather than being offended so any confusions are cleared up.

What would you say to someone who is facing the problem of cultural barrier or new to a community?

Don't feel pressured to adapt yourself to fit in to certain cultures. Take a break from social settings if you fell they burden you.

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中文版本

可以介绍一下你自己吗？

我的背景经常让我感到困惑。我出生在巴基斯坦，在阿联酋长大，现在住在加拿大，所以我是三种文化的孩子。在我的一生中，我有幸做了很多很酷的事情。我在2019年特奥会开幕式上作为儿童合唱团的一员表演，也参演过许多戏剧作品，还去过12个国家。

你的文化背景是什么? 你能介绍一下吗?

我的文化背景主要由迪拜的社会结构和规范组成。我也深深与我的巴基斯坦传统联系在一起。因为我的童年是在迪拜度过的，所以我的大部分举止和习惯都反映了在迪拜看到的。我从小就再四种语言的环境中成长: 英语、乌尔都语、法语和阿拉伯语。

你觉得自己和哪个社区更亲近? 为什么?

我觉得我和迪拜社区的联系更紧密。在那里超过80%的居民来自外国，所以它是一个文化大熔炉。我的早年是在迪拜度过的，一个人们可以开发大脑，适应这个世界的地方。阿联酋也是一个穆斯林国家，因此我觉得更容易将我身份的那部分与其保持联系。

你如何与来自不同文化背景的人交流?

因为我是在这样一个环境中长大的，并且和不同文化背景的人一起上学，所以当我和来自其他文化背景的人交往时，我并不经常感到不自在。尽管如此，我仍然觉得加拿大的文化习俗和社会规范很难适应。

你如何向一个对你的文化一无所知的人介绍你的文化呢?

我会通过音乐、艺术和食物等创意元素和有趣的片段来介绍它。

别人对你们的文化有什么刻板印象?

由于巴基斯坦和迪拜有如此多样的社区，他们每个人都有不同的刻板印象。我出生在伊斯兰堡，人们把它和无聊的人联系在一起。人们认为迪拜人非常肤浅、古板。

你对其他文化有什么刻板印象? 你怎么知道那是不对的?

我之前可能认为北美人是非常开明的。至少我认为是这样，因为媒体所描述的北美与我的文化是如此不同。但我现在知道这是不完全正确的，因为我在加拿大遇到了有不同想法的人。

你对“文化隔阂”的定义是什么?

当你因为文化差异而无法与一个体系互动或融合时。

(Ami: 哇，这听起来是一个非常正式的定义呢.

受访者: 准确吗？*笑)

你怎么看待文化隔阂的问题? 它有可能被解决吗?

我觉得这是不可避免的。尽管有办法通过更加宽容和文化包容的手段来最小化这个问题，但总会有一些文化习俗和价值观不被全球接受。

你以前经历过文化隔阂吗?

是的。奇怪的是，职业道德和教育实践对我来说是一个巨大的文化障碍。

文化隔阂也包括语言吗?

我会这么说

(Ami: 那么你认为它们通常是分别发生的，还是被认为是没有太大差异的相同问题？

受访者: 嗯.. 因为语言被认为是一个人文化的一部分，所以它们经常是一回事，但是，是的，它也可能单独发生，例如嘲笑某人的口音，即使这些人来自同一个国家，具有相似的文化背景。)

你认为文化和语言隔阂会导致其他问题吗? 我们要怎样才能避免它们呢?

某些语言中的单词在其他语言中可能听起来令人不快，但人们应该进行沟通而不是固执的认定被冒犯，这样任何困惑都会被澄清。

你会对那些正面临文化隔阂或刚到一个新环境的人说些什么?

不要为迎合某些文化而感到有压力。如果你觉得社交环境给你带来了负担，那就暂时离开一段时间吧。