The Lewis Model - categorising the cultures of the world on a simple chart.

Legs.Eleven

I think (but I can't remember) I found this posted on Facebook about an hour ago.

A Linguist by the name of Richard Lewis has made a chart categorising the world's cultures. Ireland has been placed in the same category as Australia and Denmark and are a mix between linear-active and multi-active (see how he defines them in the article and chart). Basically we have some of the impulsiveness and warmth of the Latin countries but we're closer to the USA, Germany and Switzerland in our supposed coolness and propensity to be decisive planners.

Belgium and Israel are closer to the Latins than us, which surprised me and I never thougth Ireland would be comparable to Denmark. Interesting all the same and I don't know if I disagree but I definitely would've placed us up further to the Latin and Eastern European countries than we are. We don't quite have the Latin temperament and impulsiveness but I'd certainly feel we've more in common with them than the Germans or Americans, for example.


Here's the link:

http://www.slate.com/blogs/business_insider/2013/09/08/the_lewis_model_explains_world_cultures_through_language.html


What are your opinions? Is it a load of poo and too simplistic or is it convincing?

MadsL

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

I think (but I can't remember) I found this posted on Facebook about an hour ago.

A Linguist by the name of Richard Lewis has made a chart categorising the world's cultures. Ireland has been placed in the same category as Australia and Denmark and are a mix between linear-active and multi-active (see how he defines them in the article and chart). Basically we have some of the impulsiveness and warmth of the Latin countries but we're closer to the USA, Germany and Switzerland in our supposed coolness and propensity to be decisive planners.

Belgium and Israel are closer to the Latins than us, which surprised me and I never thougth Ireland would be comparable to Denmark. Interesting all the same and I don't know if I disagree but I definitely would've placed us up further to the Latin and Eastern European countries than we are. We don't quite have the Latin temperament and impulsiveness but I'd certainly feel we've more in common with them than the Germans or Americans, for example.


Here's the link:

http://www.slate.com/blogs/business_insider/2013/09/08/the_lewis_model_explains_world_cultures_through_language.html

What are your opinions? Is it a load of poo and too simplistic or is it convincing?

Having gone on the lash with Danes, yep. Surprisingly similar relationship with alcohol.

MadsL

Serious answer:

I would have thought Ireland would be closer to the Multi-active hub. Same spot as Poland - in fact I would have thought Poles would be more Linear-active.

Legs.Eleven

MadsL wrote: »

Serious answer:

I would have thought Ireland would be closer to the Multi-active hub. Same spot as Poland - in fact I would have thought Poles would be more Linear-active.

Agreed.

Legs.Eleven

Glad we had that discussion. Thanks Madsl.

MadsL

I thought it an interesting thread frankly.

Sorry for your troubles.

MadYaker

I think its a bit simplistic in that countries like India and the USA, and entire regions like Sub Saharan Africa are all classed as one when in reality they are made up of a multitude of many different cultures languages and races. Is Sub Saharan Africa no more culturally diverse than Ireland? They appear to be given the same weight on that chart.

Jim van Morrison

So there can be no overlap between the 3 types here?

Mickey H

It's a bit simplistic IMO. I'll file this one under "Poo" for now.

Donnielighto

the triangle is an issue, it should be a 3 axis representation. According to the diagram you can have at most 2 tendencies but really youd think it would be a mix of the 3 (in the main)

Legs.Eleven

Jim van Morrison wrote: »

So there can be no overlap between the 3 types here?

I suppose there's overlap for Ireland...a mix between blue and red.

Jim van Morrison

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

I suppose there's overlap for Ireland...a mix between blue and red.

I meant a mix of all 3. You can't do that with a triangle. Or maybe the characteristics have been chosen to be mutually exclusive when arrayed as they are ... or some shit.

Frank Black

I've always said, We are a Mediterranean people, trapped in a maritime climate.
Admittedly, I've no fancy chart to back this up.

Fox_In_Socks

Come off it, Lewis!

/Morse

wendell borton

Bacon is another thing we have in common with the Danes.

Wacker The Attacker

Academia gone mad

Legs.Eleven

Frank Black wrote: »

I've always said, We are a Mediterranean people, trapped in a maritime climate.
Admittedly, I've no fancy chart to back this up.

To a degree. I don't think we have their temperament though. This bunch are a fiery lot. Very hot headed. In terms of planning and decisiveness and warmth of character, I can definitely see the similarities. The Spanish often notice it themselves when they visit Ireland.