When we think of the word culture, it usually evokes things that are visible to us. Our minds almost instantly go to eye-pleasing expressions of culture such as food, fashion and the performing arts.
But in doing so, we overlook arguably the most obvious cultural symbol of all - language.
Depending on which activities you come to at this year’s World of Cultures, you’ll be able to tell a sitar from an erhu. You’ll be able to tell the difference between dim sum and otai.
These are all cultural learnings, and this year’s festival is packed with opportunities to fill your kete with them.
You may not realise this, but what you’re also doing here is learning a language. And that’s just as integral to appreciating, celebrating and engaging with a particular culture as taking a Hindi dance class or joining a Pasifika earring workshop.
Which events will help me appreciate language?
In short, any of them. By hearing, reading or saying new words you are living a linguistic experience as much as you are a cultural one.
We’ve highlighted a few in particular where you’ll have ample chance to learn some new lingo. Even if you come away with just one new word, you’ve engaged in culture through the simple act of using language. Perhaps challenge yourself to learn a greeting or two - you’ll find no shortage of people happy to indulge you in the same way as the event itself. After all, what we say to one another is an extension of our culture.
He Aao Kanorau: A Diverse World - 3 April, 11am-3pm
There be dragons! And oracle bone-writing. Kai from across the globe. Cultural performances from the Pacific, Latin, Chinese, Taiwanese and Indonesian communities of Tāmaki Makaurau. A cultural bonanza that opens doors to dozens of languages.
Pā Nui - 2 April, 10am-5pm
Highlights include typewriter poetry, popping puletasi and, new for 2022, People Meeting People: A space for Aucklanders of all backgrounds to come together to kōrero and create a memory.
Te Pā Harakeke - 2 April, 10am-5pm
As the event itself says, “By immersing yourself in new cultures, you may encounter a chance to learn new skills and more about who you are”.
Come along and add language to this kaupapa.
What makes us laugh - 18 March - 3 April
If there’s one thing that ties us together as human beings, it’s humour. But what that looks like - or should that be sounds like - varies from one language and culture to the next.
Find out how language tickles us depending on our heritage.
Karawhiua!
Learning a word, a phrase or a greeting in a new language is a rewarding experience and opens up all sorts of new avenues in terms of our cultural and social competence and how we see the world.
And what better way to celebrate the many cultures that are alive and kicking in Tāmaki Makaurau by opening your ears as much as your eyes to who and what’s around you.
That’s a wero we’d love Aucklanders to embrace at this year’s World of Cultures.