Definitions
1. Affluence = wealth.
Abu Dhabi is an example of an affluent society.
The opposite of affluence is poverty.
2. Ethnicity is related to culture, race, language.
Malaysians consist of three main ethnic groups: Malays, Chinese and Indians.
3. Ability = skill = aptitude.
He has the ability to get good grades.
4. Diversity = difference.
The UAE nowadays is an example of a culturally diverse society.
5. Assimilation = absorption.
People emigrating to other countries will gradually assimilate into a new culture.
6. Demographics = the study of population.
You can study a country's demographics in many different ways, e.g. race, language, religion, age, gender.
7. religion = a set of beliefs.
Religious people try to live according to the teachings of their religion.
8. race = a group of people with similarities, particularly physical appearance.
People of Malay, Chinese & Indian race share Malaysian nationality.
9. multiculturalism = many different cultures.
A multicultural society is one where people of different cultural backgrounds live and work together.
10. personality = individual character.
She has a very nice personality: kind, patient, tolerant and loving.
11. prejudice = bias.
Apartheid in S. Africa was based on racial prejudice against black people.
12. Acculturation = the mixing of different cultures.
It means different cultures borrowing from each other.
13. Bias = prejudice.
Bias is a negative opinion of a person or group based on race, colour, culture or whatever.
14. Discrimination = treating people differently.
Apartheid meant discrimination in favour of whites and against blacks.
15. Fringe = edge, margin.
A fringe group is a small minority, usually expressing an extreme opinion.
16. Population = the number of people.
A census is a count of the number of people in a country.
17.Stereotyping = making assumptions or generalisations about a person or group of people.
Americans are rich, while Mexicans are poor.
18. Gender = sex.
There are two genders, male and female.
19. Resistance = opposition.
There have been many signs of political resistance to established governments in the Arab spring of this year.
20. Advantage = a favoured position.
If you are an expatriate, being able to speak the local language is a big advantage.
21. Racism = hatred of another person or group of different race, often based on colour.
The apartheid system in S. Africa was an example of racism.
22.Ethics = morality, i.e. what is right or wrong.
Ethical behaviour is honest behaviour.
23. Productivity = the ability to produce something.
The company's productivity rates are rising.
24. Behaviour = the manner of acting/conduct.
The students' behaviour is very good.
25. Belief = confidence, opinion.
I have great belief in her.
Tibetans believe in re-incarnation.
26. Majority = most.
The vast majority of Arabs are Muslim.
27. Income = salary.
All employees have a monthly income.
28. Adverse = bad, harmful.
We didn't go on a picnic because of the adverse weather conditions.
29. Values = beliefs.
I value honesty very highly.
30. Traditions = customs.
They are handed down from generation to generation.
31. Generation = group of people born at about the same time.
In some societies people talk about a generation gap; each generation has its own ideals & standards.
32. Sensitivity = empathy, awareness of someone else's feelings.
She's very sensitive. She cares about how other people feel.
33. Slang = slightly improper language.
Have a shufti at my blog.
34. Ethnocentrism = seeing everything from viewpoint of your own culture.
An ethnocentric viewpoint is narrow and limited.
35. Stratification = rigid division of society.
The Indian caste system is an example of social stratification.
36. Socio-cultural = relating to society & culture.
Language, race, affluence are all socio-cultural.
37. Resident = someone living in a particular place.
Khalid, Aziz and Hedley are all Abu Dhabi residents.
38. Poverty = being poor.
The opposite of poverty is affluence or wealth.
39. Nationality = the country you belong to.
You can have different race or ethnicity but the same nationality.
40. Minority = less than half.
Christians are a minority of the UAE's population.
41. Class = group.
You can have upper class, middle class, lower class.
42. Globalization = worldwide connectivity.
Global brands or logos today are recognised worldwide; we all know the logos of Nike, McDonald, Mercedes etc.
43. Virtual = not real, imaginary.
Computer games create a virtual world which is not real.
44. Barriers = obstacles.
To make progress you have to climb over or go round or go through barriers.
