The hidden nature of culture

Extracted text from Culture.pptx:

Explicit expression is visible by definition

But this expression is really nothing more than a small set of signposts, referring to a much larger body of (presumed) shared cultural experience

The explicit expression is above the water

The implicit communication is carried out beneath the water

Implicit information is hidden within the culture and is unconscious Cultures differ in what is made explicit or kept implicit

Llave / Key in English and Spanish: English Wrench Faucet Key (physical) Piano key Computer key Access tools Key of map Key of code Key of musical composition Key important Clave del mapa Clave del cdigo Clave msical Clave - importante Tecla del piano Tecla de la computadora Espaol Llave Llave Llave

hand (turning) tools hand (touching) tools

(abstract)

Wrench Faucet Key = (Key) (Key)

(Llave)

(Llave)

Llave Tecla Clave

Similarity

A

B

A

Which one is different?

What is the category? Alcohol Tobacco Perfume

Alcohol

Tobacco

Firearms

Alcohol

Tobacco

Playing cards

Resemblance is not a property (Douglas/Lakoff)

Grammar Poetry

Length

Reference Connotation

Resemblance is not a property (Douglas/Lakoff)

Grammar Poetry

Length

Reference Connotation

Identity Name/do not name people Jesus Cremate/do not cremate bodies These can be seen as symbolic actions which are intended to indicate respect. As such the symbols seem to be opposite (explicitly), but they have the same reference/purpose/function, plus an identity marker function. And in order to serve both intended functions (for many people) the explicit form must be taken literally, and the actual reference to identity must remain hidden.

Psalms of David / Proverbs of Solomon 1. Written by? 2. Collected by? 3. Dedicated to? What to do if loyalty to text favors #2 / #3, yet the client wants #1 (due to identity- our church believes this)?

Competing frames for sin in the Bible Elements Frames Moral-Legal* (John 3.16) Defendant Judge-God Judgment Guilt Medical (Mat 9.12) Patient Animal Husbandry Journey (Mat 18.10-14) (Mat 7.13-14) Sheep Traveler

Individual

Authority figure Deliberative action Determination

Doctor-Jesus Diagnosis Sickness Death Treatment-salvation Restoration to wholeness/health

Shepherd-Jesus Caretaking Lost

Guide-Jesus Guiding Lost

Expected Result Action toward individual Return to balance

Punishment (Hell) Substitution salvation Legal-Moral system satisfied

Death Search & Rescue Return to fold

Death (destruction) Show way Find home (life)

Who is judged/treated in the Bible Who is judged/treated now

Insiders Outsiders

Outsiders Insiders

Outsiders Insiders

Everyone Insiders

A (largely extra-biblical) variant of the moral/legal frame is a financial one (debtor/debt/savior who pays the debt). See Mat 18:30.