Watching out for subtle multi-cultural differences

Even Intonation Is Important In Some Languages

When communicating across cultures, it's easy to forget that even if words are translated properly, intonation and tone can be totally mysteriously misinterpreted. Case in point from Blunders In International Business by David Ricks.

Missionaries in Africa used a lot of songs and hymns in their missionary work. Unfortunately, they did not realize that intonation in Nigeria could completely change the meanings of the words and music.

"The words were correctly translated, but the tones and pitches were not. For example, the Igbo people of Nigeria learned to sing the second verse of "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful." They were thought to be singing "Very God, begotten not created, but the actual meaning was "God's pig, which is never shared". Another hymn with the words "There is no sorrow in Heaven" came out "There is no egg on the bicycle".

Lesson learned: Don't assume about meanings particularly when going across cultures. "There is no egg on the bicycle" is not a religiously inspiring sentence.