Dosmakhov Sagidolla Mukhtarovich

Karaganda State University after E.A. Buketov

Cultural Values of America and Kazakhstan

Values are the rules by which we make decisions about right and wrong, good and bad. They also tell us which are more or less important, which is useful when we have to trade off meeting one value over another. Values bring affective force to beliefs. We took into consideration values of America, Britain and Kazakhstan. It's necessary to see these countries' differences and similarities of values. At the beginning we want to tell about America in short. The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its forty – eight contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the capital district, lie between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, bordered by Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. At 3.79 million square miles (9.83 million km²) and with about 305 million people, the United States is the third or fourth largest country by total area, and third largest by land area and by population. America is one of the leading countries in the world. There are such American values, like:

1. Time and its control: Time is, for the average American, of utmost importance. Americans’ language is filled with references to time, giving a clear indication of how much it is valued. Time is something to be "on," to be "kept," "filled," "saved," "used," "spent," "wasted," "lost," "gained," "planned," "given," "made the most of," even "killed." "Time is money" Americans say. They admire a "well – organized" person, one who has a written list of things to do and a schedule for doing them. The ideal person is and is considerate of other people's time.

2. Equality: Equality is, for Americans, one of their most cherished values. This concept is so important for Americans that they have even given it a religious basis. They say all people have been "created equal." Most Americans believe that God views all humans alike without regard to intelligence, physical condition or economic status. In secular terms this belief is translated into the assertion that all people have an equal opportunity to succeed in life.

3. Individual and privacy: U.S. Americans are encouraged at an early age to be independent and to develop their own goals in life. Americans think they are more individualist in their thoughts and actions than, in fact, they are. They may, and do, join groups—in fact many groups—but somehow believe they’re just a little different, just a little unique, just a little special, from other members of the same group. And they tend to leave groups as easily as they enter them. Americans consider the ideal person to be an individualistic, self – reliant, independent person.

4. Work: "Don’t just stand there," goes a typical bit of American advice, "do something!" This expression is normally used in a crisis situation, yet, in a sense, it describes most American’s entire waking life, where action—any action—is seen to be superior to inaction. Americans routinely plan and schedule an extremely active day. Any relaxation must be limited in time, pre-planned, and aimed at "recreating" their ability to work harder and more productively once the recreation is over. Work is a strong pattern in American society.

5. Informality: The U.S. American lifestyle is generally casual. Male instructors seldom wear a tie and some may even wear blue jeans. Female instructors often wear slacks along with comfortable walking shoes. Greetings and farewells are usually short, informal and friendly. Students may greet each other with "hi", "how are you"? and "what's up"? The farewell can be as brief as: "See you", "take it easy", or, "come by some time" (although they generally don't really mean it). Friendships are also casual, as Americans seem to easily develop and end friendships.

6. Directness: U.S. Americans try to work out their differences face-to-face and without a mediator. They are encouraged to speak up and give their opinions. Americans generally consider themselves to be frank, open, and direct in their dealings with each – other people.

7. Materialism: Americans are materialistic. This means that they value and collect more material objects than most people would ever dream of owning. It also means they give higher priority to obtaining, maintaining and protecting their material objects than they do in developing and enjoying interpersonal relationships.

Now we tell about Kazakhstan in short. Kazakhstan is a new developing independent state. It is a large Eurasian country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world as well as the world's largest landlocked country, it has a territory of 2,727,300 km². It is bordered by Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and China. Kazakh usually posesses:

1.Hospitality: Traditionally a nomadic culture, hospitality has always been an important part of Kazakh culture. Displays of generosity and welcoming behaviour are common in both social and business Kazakh spheres. An invitation to the traditional Kazakh feast, dastarkhan, is the most popular form of Kazakh hospitality.

2. Tradition: Kazakh traditions and culture have been passed on from one generation to another through oral histories told by traditional Kazakh tribal leaders and elders. Much of the traditional Kazakh culture was lost under Soviet rule but strong elements remain today and are celebrated among family, a central part of Kazakh society. While the country is becoming increasingly modernised and in contact with global culture, Kazakhs hold on strongly to their traditions and culture of which they are proud.

3. Collectivism: The concept "us" in the traditional Kazakh society has always been more significant than that of "me". Relations of property were similar, with the strongest emphasis being upon their collective origin. At the same time, through the complex mechanism of land-tenure property was distinctly regulated. Three main forms of property (private, common-group and social) existed before in Kazakhstan.

4. Freedom: Freedom is the major value of the civil society being formed in Kazakhstan. This must provide everyone with the possibility of creative self-realization. Nomads have always been famous for a freedom-loving spirit. The feeling of freedom resulted in special attitude to the environment, a developed awareness and a profound interest in the world.

5. Patriotism: The formation of civil society institutions is impossible without the development of a patriotism shared by the entire Kazakhstan, and with deep roots in the culture, psychology, and historical past of the Kazakhs. In a traditional Kazakh society such values as love of the Motherland (atameken), its veneration and care have also been strong.

6. Respect: Religious tolerance, absence of fanaticism and religious aggression are historic traditions of the Kazakh nation. Respect of elders and of the spiritual freedom of other nations are principal values. It is important to develop a productive dialogue between confessions and to acknowledge religion as an element of civil society.

So, as we found out, American and Kazakh values are very different. For Americans "time is money", opposite our Kazakh people are not punctual. Americans are informal, on the contrary Kazakh people are formal. Kazakh people don't speak very openly with each – other. They are closed.

Americans are hard – working, Kazakh are a bit lazy. They can do everything, but they do not want to work.

In conclusion, in our scientific work we represented some values of the United States of America and Kazakhstan, we showed some differences and similarities existing nowadays. So, American and Kazakh values are different in time, in formality, keeping tradition, work, individualism and collectivism, but they have similar values like equality, freedom, hospitality. No matter we have different values, but we live in one planet and it connects us.

Resources:

1. Kohls, L. Robert. Survival Kit for Overseas Living. 2^nd ed. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 1984.

2. Абдыгаппарова С.К. Культурное многообразие. Практикум по межкультурной коммуникации, (част 1) Учебное пособие на английском языке. Алматы: КазУМОиМЯ им.Абылай хана, 2002 г.-34с.

3. Абдыгаппарова С.К. Язык и культура. Практикум по межкультурной коммуникации, (часть 2) Учебное пособие на английском языке. Алматы: КазУМОиМЯ им. Абылай хана, 2002 г. – 38с.

4. Абдыгаппарова С.К. Американские и Казахстанские культурные ценности. Практикум по межкультурной коммуникации, (часть 3) Учебное пособие на английском языке. Алматы: КазУМОиМЯ им. Абылай хана, 2002 г. – 37с.