Quote Originally Posted by Medved View Post
What a nice little superstition!
My 10+ years of learning English have left me assured that language is only a step #1 to learn foreign culture.
That is not a superstition. I am a speech language pathologist and language is the manifestation of our cognition and how we see the world. Our language and even the minute grammatical, semantical, and syntax structure is a representation of our culture as our culture plays a large demand in how we see the world. You cannot effectively learn a language and communicate effectively if you do not understand the culture.. I assure you it leads to a lot of misunderstanding and shuts down the communication system.. because communication is not just about the words you use alone but your ability to effectively communicate your wants, needs, and ideas to the other person.. if the person does not receive that message in its purity.. you have not communicated effectively.

And superstition? I'm not talking about black cats crossing your path, sweeping your house on New Years, or walking under a ladder... those are all superstitions... perhaps you did not effectively communicate what you were trying to say?