Student 52

Object 1

When visiting India during the summers, I typically attempt to communicate with locals in my native language. When I last visited India in 2018, I used the Rajpal English Hindi Dictionary in New Delhi. The dictionary allowed me to translate between English and Hindi to familiarize myself and effectively communicate with the Delhiites. However, when attempting to communicate with them, I noticed that I could not convey certain expressions or ideas prevalent in English and my native language of Gujarati, and I could not understand specific Hindi terms. This object links to the IA prompt because it shows how knowledge from cultures cannot be transferred to other cultures.

Though Hindi shares many similarities with the English language, some of its vocabulary consists of aspects and ideas nonexistent in English. The English Hindi Dictionary was created by an Indian and contains terms commonly used by Hindi speakers. This shows that our culture's interpretation influences the nature of appreciation and the retention of knowledge. This object relates to the optional theme of language because customs, traditions, and social behaviors, all aspects of culture, influenced the object's contents, directly altering the type of retainable knowledge. Since this dictionary solely focuses on translating Hindi to English, the Hindi culture's knowledge is difficult to understand because both the English and Hindi cultures are drastically different.

Knowledge from different cultures varies because its origin consists of other ideas and contexts. The relationship between knowledge and culture is where culture ultimately impacts the attributes of knowledge. This object illustrates how knowledge translation between cultures cannot be adequately accomplished because the cultural context of knowledge is not universally understood. The English-Hindi Dictionary shows that knowledge is influenced by culture.

Object 2

In 2021, I practiced the Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor for my state-level solo performance. The musical composition reflects Elgar's sentiments toward the aftermath of World War I in Britain. When performing the Concerto, I sensed intense emotions of sorrow and despair. Elgar notated the composition in a Westernized manner that concentrates on dynamics and representation of notes. When viewing other forms of music, such as Russian or Classical Indian, I was astonished at the discrepancy in notation styles and presentation of musical elements. This object links to the IA prompt because it displays how culture influences the contents and presentation of knowledge.

Though modern staff notation conveys similar musical ideas as other cultures, the pitches, tempo, and inclusion of melody are not applicable for notation and presentation. The Elgar Cello Concertos' minor mode is standard in other cultures, but the Adagio tempo marking illustrates an uncommon slower tempo. European musicians are familiar with slower tempos that convey sadness, as the emotion was abundant in their culture. Whereas Asian and Indian groups view Adagio as an unfamiliar marking, their cultures emulate happiness and celebratory ideas.

Edward Elgar's composition exhibits qualities from his westernized culture, such as sorrow and regret. The object connects to the optional theme of indigenous societies as the first-hand experiences, and social behaviors influenced the object's contents, establishing its message and medium of expression. The object has European melodic phrases that show a prominent theme. Indian Classical music has an improvisational melody that lacks a binding structure. Indian Classical musicians view European music confusingly as it conveys a foreign, sorrowful cultural idea, differing from religious-centered music. Knowledge produced from other cultures is influenced by culture's nature and communication of a message.

The relationship between culture and knowledge is founded upon the culture's experiences and behaviors, altering the contents and presentation of knowledge. This object illustrates how culture is prevalent in creating and translating knowledge. It influences creators' minds and provides them with purpose. The Elgar Cello Concerto in E Minor displays how culture guides the presentation of knowledge by defining its rationale.

Object 3

To preserve Indian culture, my mother would often teach me how to prepare traditional Indian Cuisine, which heavily incorporates the cooking of Roti, also known as bread. A Velan, or Indian Rolling Pin, was used in a distinct rotating manner to prepare the bread. At age 12, I learned how to prepare the bread adequately; however, I realized that the rolling pin techniques needed for preparing traditional Indian bread differed from European and Asian Cuisine preparation. The methods did not transfer as the rolling pin served a different purpose. This object relates to the IA prompt because it shows how culture influences the purpose of knowledge.

Though the Indian Rolling Pin shares many similarities with the rolling pins of European and Asian cultures, there is a discrepancy between the techniques used in pastry production. Indian Rolling Pins create a distinct variety of bread as they are long and thin, creating a flatter surface. Accustomed to thick and taper-ended rolling pins, Europeans produce different bread representing their culture. People from Indian culture cannot apply or appreciate rolling pins from other cultures, and vice versa, as it is not practical. The object relates to the optional theme of indigenous societies as the purpose of rolling pins does not transfer between cultures. The varying beliefs, values, and opinions influence the knowledge of the object's application. Since the Indian Rolling Pin is purposed for creating thin and circular bread, the Indian culture's knowledge is exclusively represented, inhibiting other cultures from utilizing this object.

The knowledge from different cultures is distinctly purposed as the cultural attributes influence the application of knowledge. Culture instills specific requirements that cause knowledge to be applied differently across cultures. The Indian Rolling Pin illustrates how culture influences the purpose of knowledge by guiding its resourcefulness in the culture.