The Need for a Contrastive Analysis of the Cultures of the Source and Target Languages

When one learns a foreign lang, one also learns the culture of that language consciously or unconsciously. The foreign language teacher must not only be aware of the cultural differences, but also point out the differences to students. Otherwise an emotional imbalance would result as a consequence of which both the teacher & student would be frustrated. If proper attention were paid to explaining the cultural differences when teaching a foreign lang, the student would realize that cultures are different & not superior or inferior. The student will be able to make effective use of a foreign language if he is aware of the cultural differences between the source & the target lang. AA