Cultural diversity gives words different meanings

One of the most amazing things about cultural diversity is how words can have different perceptions around the world, depending on an individual's culture or background. For example, the traditional definition of the word "foreigner" relates to someone who is not native to a certain place. While many people around the world take the definition at face value, others cannot resist the urge to construct stereotypes that differ from the word's meaning.

Based on my travel experiences around the world, I drew my own conclusions concerning the different perceptions of a foreigner around the world. In countries like Egypt, Thailand and Malaysia, where tourism is a significant source of national income, foreigners are looked at with maximum respect as people who enhance the economy of that country.

The situation is completely different when individuals from countries with less fortunate economic conditions visit or immigrate to larger industrial countries. In most cases, I found local people tend to look down at the newcomers. Many of them are too polite to show it, but animosity still exists somewhere in their conscious thought - all it needs to surface is a simple disagreement or provocation.

There are many different perceptions of foreigners in industrial countries. Some people are strictly xenophobic, like European neo-Nazis; others are more tolerant towards foreigners as long as they imitate the local way of life. The bottom line is, deviation from the traditional meaning of the word makes it an insult, not a description.

Another word which carries different meanings around the world is "cowboy." The classical meaning is a ranch worker or rodeo performer. In certain areas of the United States, this word might be a compliment. However, many foreigners like to think of a cowboy as someone who would do anything, regardless of its ethical and moral appropriateness. In other words, a cowboy could be someone who discards all cultural and intellectual products of civilization, adhering only to the law of the jungle.

A cowboy can also be someone who lacks the courage to admit wrongdoing and apologize if necessary. I think even President Bush, who embraces this title, realizes the difference between being described as a cowboy by a European newspaper and by his friends on the ranch.

Contact Mohamed Elrawady at melrawady@lsureveille.com