CULTURAL BARRIERS Speaking a second language is not only about transmitting information but also assimilating behavior. Speaking and thinking in that second language: the influences, way we communicate, expressions and attitudes, are not only verbal. Speaking a second language implies a cultural exchange more than just simple verbal communication, speaking a second language does not mean that we think and behave in that second language. In this paper we will cover different types of cultures and languages to understand their relationship and how culture can affect the ability to communicate across languages. The culture in which you live is one of the most important environmental factors that shapes your personality. Western ideas about personality may not be applicable to other cultures. According to Chapter 11 of “Psychology: Cultural Understandings of Personality “our culture is defined by our customs, behavior and beliefs, our culture is transmitted by language, letting us know what is culturally acceptable or not based on whether our behavior is accepted or punished” (Psychology, 2018). For example: Asian cultures are more collectivist, and people in these cultures tend to be less extroverted. People in Central and South American cultures tend to score higher on openness to experience “In fact, there is evidence that the strength of personality traits varies across cultures. Individualist cultures and collectivist cultures place emphasis on different basic values. People who live in individualist cultures tend to believe that independence, competition, and personal achievement are important. People who live in collectivist cultures value social harmony, respectfulness, and group needs over individual needs” (Psychology, 2018). Language is one of the most important tools that we use to exchange information in between cultures, learn from others, adapt into new places and understand any environment. Language forms an essential part of our communication that helps to minimize our cultural barriers. There is a lot of information about language and how it is learned, especially when we learn a foreign language. What most of these studies have in common is the clarification and definition of what it means to learn a second language, dividing it into two categories: second language and foreign language. One of the studies that caught my attention was an article by André-Marie Manga which notes “it is important to note the differences between individuals, their different ways of learning languages and the different environment in which they surround... The differences between individuals, their learning conditions and the contexts in which they learn are some aspects on which researchers focus to deduce and demonstrate the complexity of learning a foreign language” (Manga, A-M, 2008). The difference is clearly laid out by Carmen Muñoz "Second language / foreign language: A distinction is made between these two terms to emphasize that, in the first case, it is a spoken language in the community in which one lives, although it is not the apprentice's mother tongue, while, in the second case, the language has no presence in the community in which the apprentice lives. For example, English is a second language for a Mexican immigrant in the United States, while it is a foreign language for a student in Spain” (Muñoz, C, 2000). The learning of a foreign language must always take into account several factors that facilitate or hinder it depending on the situations. Many studies have been conducted on these factors and allow a better understanding of the concept of learning the foreign language (Manga, A-M, 2008). The difference is clearly laid out by Carmen Muñoz "Second language / foreign language: A distinction is made between these two terms to emphasize that, in the first case, it is a spoken language in the community in which one lives, although it is not the apprentice's mother tongue, while, in the second case, the language has no presence in the community in which the apprentice lives. For example, English is a second language for a Mexican immigrant in the United States, while it is a foreign language for a student in Spain” (Muñoz, C, 2000). Now that we know the difference between language learning and the definition of culture, we can establish a relationship between them and how they interact. The learning of a foreign language must always take into account several factors that facilitate or hinder it depending on the situations. Many studies have been conducted on these factors and allow a better understanding of the concept of learning the foreign language (Manga, A-M, 2008). Just as learning a new language represents the relationship between sound and the association of this sound with its meaning, since communicating with other people in a second language also represents a relationship, a non-verbal relationship, the way we behave and think when we communicate is a silent communication that influences a lot, not knowing what kind of person is in the conversation. There are different countries that express themselves in different ways and communicate in different ways due to cultural differences while still sharing the same language as other countries. The way we behave and use the language we learn does not mean that we can really communicate in that language because in order to communicate we really need to include the thoughts and behaviors of the culture of the place and people. As a person who speaks two languages I can say that it was not hard to communicate in both languages but hard to express and learn the way to communicate with their cultures. I have been able to travel and have visited and lived in countries with the same language but of different cultures and I have lived in countries with a different language and a different culture from mine. This has been a challenge from the beginning, since communicating in countries with my own language and a different culture has represented learning a new new way of communicating. I had to learn how to express myself in a different way and change my way of thinking to to be able to communicate better. Establishing new professional relationships and establishing a relationship of trust, creating new bonds of friendship and work, I have learned to differentiate and adapt. From a person who speaks two languages I can say that speaking in or two or three languages does not mean I can think or behave in those languages: those are two different things. Much research is still being done on the study of languages. For research concerned particularly with foreign languages acquisition, it is important to note the differences between individuals, the different ways of learning languages and the different environment in which they envolved (Manga, A-M, 2008). In order to truly communicate and express in a second language, I have to get involved with their culture and their way of thinking and respect their way of behaving because I needed to understand that with another language comes also another set of beliefs in some cases. Each human being has particular characteristics and is different from the others. These traits affect SECOND LANGUAGE FOREING LANGUAGE The person who fulfills a social function and institutional in the linguistic community in which it is learned. One that is learned in a context in which it lacks social and institutional function. them positively or negatively and have very significant implications in learning a foreign language. “The personality brings together some dimensions of the behavior that the student adopts when studying a foreign language” (Manga, A-M, 2008). There are always other ways of thinking, learning respect and understanding. Learn not to compare realities or situations or political conditions because each can only work in certain situations. We must continue to learn and keep our minds open to always try to find a new way to communicate with other people without focusing only on their language. Learn how to communicate with others based on their way of thinking and behavior. Samoel S.E. Work Cited Manga, Andre-Marie (2008) Second Language, foreign language: Factors and incidents of teaching /Learning. (Higher Normal School, University of Yaoundé I. Cameroon) Munoz, C. (2002): Learning languages. Barcelona, Paidós. Psychology. (2018). [ebook] Rice University, p.Chapter 11. Available at: https://cnx.org/ contents/Sr8Ev5Og@9.32:6HoLG-TA@8/Introduction [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]. Santos, Gargallo I (1999): Linguistics applied to the teaching / learning of Spanish as a foreign language. Madrid, Arco / Books. Work Cited Manga, Andre-Marie (2008) Second Language, foreign language: Factors and incidents of teaching /Learning. (Higher Normal School, University of Yaoundé I. Cameroon) Munoz, C. (2002): Learning languages. Barcelona, Paidós. Psychology. (2018). [ebook] Rice University, p.Chapter 11. Available at: https://cnx.org/ contents/Sr8Ev5Og@9.32:6HoLG-TA@8/Introduction [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]. Santos, Gargallo I (1999): Linguistics applied to the teaching / learning of Spanish as a foreign language. Madrid, Arco / Books.