Laughter knows no language
Well, I'm sure this is an observation that's been made thousands of times before, but now that I'm in a non-English speaking country it's hit me that laughter is just...laughter, regardless of the language one speaks!This hit me when I was grocery shopping with my aunt last night and saw some teenagers talking and laughing outside the shop. At first I just felt comforted by the sound of laughter because i could understand it, and then as I listened closer I found I could also surmise whether their laughter was forced or genuine - isn't that interesting?
There's so much about facial expressions that are similar across human beings regardless of language, it seems (of course, given my own observations I can only speak for western europe and my experiences in australia/central america, but from what i've read in some psych books i recall that facial expressions are similar across the human species).
I will try to remember this as, from now on, I'll be in non-english speaking countries! I've been doing research and am trying to blend a healthy mix of classic european-trip stuff (Italy, Switzerland) with some lesser known places (Hungary? Czech republic? Poland?), while having home bases here in Holland and then Turkey...I'll keep you posted! For now, I'm happy chilling with my aunt and catching up with my cousins - we saw a really gorgeous brick castle today and are going to check out the market tomorrow! | posted by Cheryl, 10/28/2005 10:38:00 AM
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