Talking about Culture and Custom: English Vocabulary List

a collection of ancient myths, particularly one that belongs to a group of people and their history, etc.

"Greek mythology has many gods."

"The ancient Greek mythology is filled with tales of gods and heroes."

a group within a larger culture that shares distinctive values, norms, and behaviors, often differing from those of the dominant culture

"Goths are a subculture."

"The punk rock subculture emerged in the 1970s with its own distinct fashion and music."

the belief that cultural diversity within a society should be respected

"Multiculturalism is very important."

"The city celebrates multiculturalism by hosting festivals representing various ethnic groups."

the study or art of building and designing houses

"She studies architecture."

"The stunning architecture of the ancient Roman buildings is still admired today."

a set of conventional rules or formal manners, usually in the form of ethical code

"Good etiquette is important at dinner parties."

"Proper business etiquette requires you to arrive on time and dress appropriately for meetings."

any social gathering that is celebrated in a cheerful way

"The festivity was very fun."

"The festivity lasted all night, with music, dancing, and delicious food for everyone."

a ceremony to honor the memory of someone or something

"A statue was erected in commemoration of the town's founder."

"A commemoration is not just a ceremony; it is a conscious public act of remembering to ensure that a shared historical pain is never repeated."

a topic, term, or action that is forbidden or avoided for religious or cultural reasons

"That topic is taboo here."

"Discussing personal finances openly is considered a taboo in many social circles."

an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear

"Superstition is a common belief."

"Many people still hold onto the superstition that breaking a mirror brings bad luck."

the people from whom a person is descended

"She knows her ancestry well."

"Researching her ancestry revealed a fascinating lineage stretching back centuries."

behavior that conforms to accepted standards of propriety, etiquette, or social conduct

"He showed great decorum today."

"Despite the tense situation, the diplomat maintained his decorum throughout the meeting."

a manner that strictly observes all forms and ceremonies

"The wedding had great formality."

"The strict formality of the royal court dictated every gesture and word spoken by attendees."

the way of behaving that is considered to be morally and socially correct and acceptable

"She questioned propriety."

"He always behaved with great propriety, never saying anything inappropriate in public."

a refined politeness and sophistication in behavior and manner

"His urbanity impressed the city officials."

"His urbanity and sophistication made him popular among the wealthy social circle."

a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing

"The movie is criticized for its use of a tired racial stereotype."

"A stereotype threat is a situational predicament where a person is anxious about confirming a negative stereotype about their own social group."

a society where women have primary authority and leadership roles

"The concept of a matriarchy fascinates social anthropologists."

"A matriarchy is a social system in which females hold the primary power positions in roles of political leadership and moral authority for a society."

informal social norms or customary behaviors that guide everyday life within a culture

"Folkways guide our daily life."

"Every culture has its own folkways that shape how people greet each other."