By: Chelsea Gobourne Culture Diversity in German Speaking Countries “Verbal and non-verbal communications”

Germany Gestures When you are pointing at an object you use you little finger. As a child when counting the thumb is considered to be the number one. In public there is little to no touching people. (Like America) To greet someone Germans either give each other a kiss on the left and right cheek or give a firm handshake. Vocal qualities (volume, pitch, or tone) show authority if someone is loud.

Austria Promote Diversity The U.N wants the Austrian Government to take the ways of life for minority groups into consideration. The U.N feels that the best way for Austria to mainstream cultural diversity and heritage is to incorporate minority cultures and histories in the school system. The Romani language (spoken in Central and Eastern Europe) has been incorporated in some schools (way of promoting diversity). Bilingual education is rare in Austria. For students to be taught these languages depends solely on their teacher(s). Cultural identity or rights aren’t a main focus for German countries such as Austria. Culture/heritage is mostly taught in America.

Switzerland Language & Literature Swiss German dialects represent high social prestige among Swiss Germans (Regardless of education level or social class, Swiss Germans are considered to be different from Germans). The Italian region is bilingual, French is spoken. In German literature there is an absence of fatalism. Literature is based off of exploration and observation in the lives of humans on a daily basis. Authors such as Elsschot start their novels describing ordinary people in ordinary situations but then gradually include mystery and weird coincidences that are parallel to the world/reality.

Quiz Questions 1. What are the two ways Germans greet one another? 2. Besides German and Italian, what other language is spoken in the Italian region?

Quiz Answers 1. Firm handshake or kiss on both cheeks 2. French

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