The Spanish and Punjabi Culture in Manteca, California

Mexico (Source 7)

Mexican Spanish Culture

                Spanish is the first language for approximately 328 million people with the largest population living in Mexico.  Spanish has five vowel phonemes, nineteen to twenty consonant phonemes, and is a syllable timed language.  Nouns are marked for gender and number.  Verbs have two regular conjugations and there are a great number of irregular verbs.  There are three tenses, four moods, and two voices (Source 1).   Spanish is the primary language spoken in the Hispanic home and many homes do not have an adult proficient in English.   The student often acts as a translator for their parents.   The home is organized as a traditional family with the father being the primary decision maker.  Family is extremely important and the Mexican-American family values nuclear and extended family. (Source 3)  Aunts, uncles, and other family members may attend the parent teacher

Spanish Alphabet (Source 10)

conferences because they take an active interest in the well- being and progress of the student.   Hispanics typically need less personal space than Americans and this difference can cause an instructor to appear rude when speaking with parents and students  because she is standing too far away while speaking.  Hispanic students are typically louder while working in the classroom, if they are used to the education system in Mexico, which includes more discussion.  Hispanic male young adults may display macho behavior because this behavior is important in their cultural development.  Teachers should try to use content-are vocabulary because a typical student cannot master English in the first few years and should not be placed in a Special Education program because of this deficiency (Source 2).

India (Source 8)

Pakistan (Source 9)

Punjabi Culture

                 Punjabi is the first language of 27 million people in India.  Western Punjabi is spoken in Pakistan by 60 million people.   There are thirty different dialects which have differences in vocabulary and pronunciation but are similar and usually can be understood by a speaker of any dialect (Source 4).  The Gurmukhi is the alphabet used in India Punjabi while the Pakistani Punjabi uses the Shahmukhi alphabet.    The consonants include an inherent vowel as part of the script.  Diacritics can be used above, below, before, or after the consonant to change the inherent vowel sound.  Vowels can be an independent symbol if they are used at the beginning of a syllable.  Constant sounds can be blended together in special combination by use

Punjabi Alphabet (Source 11)

of a symbol.   Punjabi is pronounced using a three tone system.  The tones used in Punjabi are a deep-rising tone, a high-falling tone and a mid-tone (Source 5).   Punjabi is often the primary language of the parents and grandparents.  The father is the head of the family and bears full responsibility for the family unit.  The family is of critical importance in this culture and each member of the family has specific responsibilities (Source 6).  The family unit is of extreme importance in the culture and education is seen as a high priority for the family.  Many family members are interested in the rearing and education of the young in contrast to the American culture where this responsibility is primarily held within the nuclear family unit.

References:

1. Thompson, I., & Phillips, J. (2013, 16). About World Languages.Spanish | About World Languages. Retrieved February 13, 2014, from http://aboutworldlanguages.com/spanish

2. Dipple, S. Primary Education Oasis - Evidence Based Teaching that Works. Mexican American Culture Differences. Retrieved February 13, 2014, from http://www.primary-education-oasis.com/mexican-american-culture-differences.html

3. Young, J. (2010, ). Dimensions of Culture | Cross-Cultural Communications for Health Care Professionals. The Importance of Familismo | Dimensions of Culture. Retrieved February 13, 2014, from http://www.dimensionsofculture.com/2010/11/the-importance-of-familismo/

4. Thompson, I., & Phillips, J. (2013, 23). About World Languages.Punjabi | About World Languages. Retrieved February 13, 2014, from http://aboutworldlanguages.com/Punjabi

5. Omniglot - the online encyclopedia of writing systems and languages. Punjabi language and the Gurmukhi and Shahmuhi scripts and pronunciation. Retrieved February 13, 2014, from http://www.omniglot.com/writing/punjabi.htm

6. Punjab Online. Culture of Punjab - Punjabi heritage & traditions. Retrieved February 13, 2014, from http://www.punjabonline.com/servlet/library.culture

7. http://www.travelvivi.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/mexico-city.jpg

8. http://www.indiatravelbug.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Taj-Mahal-Agra_ori.jpg

9. http://www.paxgaea.com/images/Islamabad.jpg
10. http://static1.123teachme.com/cms_images/landing/spanish_alphabet_410x200.jpg
11. http://www.indif.com/kids/Learn_punjabi/images/punjabi_alphabet_chart.jpg