Throughout talking to international students that have come to America I have discovered that the most difficult things for them to understand are idioms. Learning English is one thing. Learning the culture is a completely different type of story!
So, as I observe life throughout my day I have decided to keep a record of the things that make up our culture, that may not be learned from a textbook.
For Today: Sarcasm.
My Definition: Words said in a manner (that may appear serious or joking) that mean the opposite of the vocabulary used.
Example: "That looks cheap." (Said about something that clearly is expensive - like a European car that I saw last weekend in Irvine.)
The reason: Americans highly value entertainment and humor. We like things that make us laugh! When something is not inherently funny, we will use sarcasm and make it entertaining.
Expanded Use: When used in extreme measures may appear to be derogatory to an individual. It is often used in making light or fun of another individual or circumstance.
If you have anything to add, or questions about other uses or situations regarding sarcasm, feel free to leave a comment.
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