Research Log 1

Potential Worlds to Explore

What draws me to the topic of culture...

My research process is starting with a broad topic–Language and Culture.

My love for learning languages is about learning how different people worldwide live and think. I am especially drawn to Asian cultures because they offer me a new world of ideas and traditions. As someone who already speaks more than one language, I find joy in the challenge of learning other languages, even though it can be difficult to master different ways of speaking and writing. Every time I start learning a language, it is like I am not just learning how to say words in another language but also getting a peek into a different life.

The process of learning a new language is more than just memorizing words or grammar. It is about connecting with people who have grown up in a different culture and seeing the world from their viewpoint. The little things in language, like the tone of voice or the order of words, can tell us much about what is important to a community. I realized that to understand a language completely, I need to dive into the customs and history that have shaped it. It is like every language is an adventure, a story of how people relate to each other and the world around them.

By learning various languages, I am creating bonds between myself and people from other parts of the world. It is my way of showing that I am curious and respectful of their ways of life. This effort brings us closer together, showing that we have much in common, even with our differences. My enthusiasm for picking up new languages is a celebration of all the unique ways humans have found to express themselves.

I’ve broken my initial thoughts down into a few categories.

Language and Culture

Food and Culture

Clothes and Culture

Language and Culture

Language expresses culture
- Language is a way to share and express what is essential in a culture, such as its beliefs, way of life, and traditions. Stories, songs, and conversations glimpse a culture's soul.
Culture shapes language
- The way a society lives and what it values can shape its language. Certain words might exist because they are important to that culture or are used more to reflect what is valued.
Cultural Identity Through Language
- Your language connects you to your culture. It is more than just words; it is about where you come from, your history, and sometimes even feeling like you belong to something bigger.

Food and Culture

Cultural Identity and Food
- The food you like and how you eat it can tell much about where you come from. Your cultural background shapes the types of ingredients you use, how you prepare meals, and any food-related rules and customs you
- Food can be associated with ethnicity and religious beliefs. To better understand, I define a food “rule” as something laid down by someone official, such as a religion or government. Rules are written mandates by religion or society. For example, the Torah forbids Jews from eating pork.
- Meanwhile, I define a food “custom” as a practice born in that area, but not necessarily because of a formal decree. These kinds of nuanced understanding of food make the topic even more enjoyable. For example, eating with chopsticks for Chinese, eating with a fork for Americans, and eating with hands for Indians.

Food as a Cultural Expression
- Food is a way for cultures to share stories, values, and traditions. For example, dishes featured at festivals or ceremonies are often imbued with meaning and history, reflecting what is important to the community.
Social Aspects of Eating
- Meals are often social events that show the cultural importance of family, hospitality, and community. How people gather to eat can reveal much about what they value in relationships and social life.
- This is where I can potentially incorporate Cultural Anthropology, as communal eating is widely studied in this field.
Global Influences
- As cultures mix more in our connected world, they influence each other's cooking, leading to new food trends and combinations. This cross-cultural sharing can introduce us to new tastes and perspectives, making food a way to explore the world.
- This is particularly true throughout Asia, as larger countries often invaded and occupied their neighbors.

Clothes and Culture

Cultural Identity Through Clothing
- Our clothes can reflect our cultural background and what we believe in. Traditional outfits, for example, can tell stories about our origins and the history behind our cultures.
Clothing as a Form of Expression
- Clothes are not just for keeping us warm or covered; they are also a way to express our identity, status, or beliefs, showing off our personal style and cultural or religious affiliations.
Social Norms and Fashion
- What is seen as suitable to wear can vary significantly from one culture to another and can change over time within the same society. Cultural standards and trends shape these fashion norms. An almost universal example is the acceptance of women wearing pants instead of skirts. As recently as the early 1900s, this would have been unacceptable, and women could face censure or be arrested on charges of indecency in many countries.
Global Influences and Fusion
- Due to globalization, different cultures mix their fashion styles, creating new, blended looks. This mixing allows us to appreciate and learn from each other's cultures through fashion.

Next Steps, First Phase Research

How will I tackle my research?
- I am lucky that UCI has one of the largest collections of Asian Studies books in the state. So, I will not just focus online but also go into the stacks and look at the books. I know that the Langson Library has an entire section on the language and culture of Korea on the third floor.
- I’ll start by checking out the first-floor reference materials and cross-check them with the online catalog to better understand the layout of the materials. Looking through real books can help you feel more connected to your learning and sometimes find cool stuff you can't find online. A quick review of a book’s table of contents can give me an idea of whether the book will be helpful. I can then borrow any promising texts to read more deeply into the topics that interest you. I can take notes or make copies of important pages to reflect on later.

What are my guiding questions? As I begin my research, I will use these questions to help narrow down my topic.
- What were the effects of the intermingling of Chinese and Korean cultures?
- Where do we see overlaps between countries in Asian culture? What are the cultural similarities across Asia?
  1. Some examples I'm thinking of:
    1. Jade
    2. Filial piety
    3. Certain cooking techniques or foods
- What does cultural preservation look like in Asia? How do places like Tokyo and Seoul balance modern technological advancements with tradition?
- Which is more prevalent in everyday life, food, fashion, or language? Where do we see ACTIVE cultural preservation in everyday life?
How much information is there?
- I expect I will find a variety of sources when discussing Asian culture, as I can draw from multiple disciplines, including history, cultural anthropology, and sociology.

Work Cited:

“Research Guides: Asian Studies: About the EA Collection.” About the EA Collection - Asian Studies - Research Guides at University of California Irvine, guides.lib.uci.edu/c.php?g=333016&p=2686337. Accessed 11 Apr. 2024.
“#古风图片##古风壁纸##古风素材# 宫灯夜明昙华正盛，共饮逍遥一世悠然。 : Fantasy Artwork, Phong Cảnh, Nhiếp Ảnh Ngoài Trời.” Pinterest, 4 Mar. 2020, www.pinterest.com/pin/659636676659339775/.
Harsh, Lauren. “11 Reasons Learning a Foreign Language Is the Perfect Hobby.” Wyzant Blog, 21 Jan. 2021, www.wyzant.com/blog/11-reasons-learning-a-foreign-language-is-the-perfect-hobby/.
Sorrentino, Lori. “Traditional Food around the World: 50 Famous Dishes You Have to Try.” Travlinmad Slow Travel Blog, Travlinmad Slow Travel Blog, 7 Feb. 2024, www.travlinmad.com/blog/traditional-food-around-the-world.
Harvind. “Traditional Clothing: A Virtual Tour around the World.” SPEAK Blog, 20 Jan. 2022, blog.speak.social/traditional-clothing-a-virtual-tour-around-the-world/.
Cuylenburg, Jessica van. “World Cuisine: How to Easily Find Recipes from Other Cultures.” Nerdynaut, 27 Dec. 2021, www.nerdynaut.com/world-cuisine-how-to-easily-find-recipes-from-other-cultures.
Edu, Team Leverage. “Types of Research Design: Process and Elements.” Leverage Edu, Leverage Edu, 28 Mar. 2024, leverageedu.com/blog/research-design/.

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