What does culture matter anyway?

         The Shen article underscores the close relationship between literacy, language and culture. Written composition does not occur in a vacuum, but rather is influenced by the milieu in which the written text is created. Being a Caucasian male who grew up in a Capitalist society stressing individuality and autonomy, reading Shen's perspective forced me to examine how my cultural conditioning influences my writing. I discovered that my cultural programming has a greater effect on my composing process than I realized.
         As Shen pointed out, the United States is a society where getting to the point quickly is prized. When I write an essay, I implicitly understand that long descriptions and endless exposition are not staples of Standard American English prose. Establishing ones central idea forthwith is pivotal, lest I run the risk of losing the attention of my readers. Equally important is writing in an active voice, using strong verbs and avoiding passive constructions. This style of writing grows naturally out of a society that values persons of action rather than inaction. A third cultural value is an economy of words. Americans are indoctrinated as children not to waste time. "Time is money.", goes the old adage. Wasted words in Standard English prose is anathema, a point I frequently make to the students who come to me for assistance in the writing center.
          I stop to ponder how my writing would be different if I grew up in a different culture. Would being raised in Latin America or Africa have a dramatic effect on my style, syntax and diction?  How would I have to adapt my prose style if composing in those regions of the world? If I retire to Peru one day with my spouse as we have often talked about, maybe I will get the opportunity to find out.