The absence of body language online makes written communication riskier, because intent can easily be misread without tone or facial cues.

“Cultures-of-use” reminds us that language learning is incomplete without learning the communication style of the community using that language.

The critique of reductionism resonates with how identity works today. Many people belong to multiple cultural communities at once (online spaces, workplaces, immigrant experiences), so reducing them to one national label feels outdated.

I find the idea of essentialism especially important because it reveals how stereotypes often disguise themselves as “cultural knowledge.” Saying “they’re just like that culturally” can sound neutral, but it can actually deny people agency and adaptability.

Culture as “normal human existence”: This reminds us that culture is embedded in ordinary life, not just in special traditions or national customs—it shapes how we interpret the world in subtle ways.