Metta Anongdeth: Slang and Cultural Expressions

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Approx. time Expression Explanation
2:13 executed killed by the government (according to its laws)
3:10 something was up something was different, something was wrong
4:01 cause a disturbance make noise, disturb everyone
4:15 in the hands of in the control of
4:40 Mekong River http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mekong
5:21 turmoil great disorder, confusion, uncertainty
6:04 corridor hallway
6:08 jam in push in tightly, crowd in
7:20 pigtails when long hair is separated, combed, and tied into two clusters in the back of the head
7:49 disguise us ... ugly ducklings make us look like unattractive, ordinary children
8:08 unspeakable cannot speak of it (because it is so terrible)
8:41 simple etiquettes basic rules of behavior
9:08 Hershey, PA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hershey,_Pennsylvania
10:19 navigate steer, guide in the right direction
10:28 mid-30s between 33 and 37 years old
10:37 bottom-up (work) work in low-skill or low paying-jobs and then move up
10:47 seamstress woman who sews for customers
11:28 rub shoulders with associate with, spend time with
12:45 mingle network, meet, talk with different people
14:10 out of their shell out of their usual small space, into the public, more confident
15:02 townhouse house with 2 or more floors side by side with similar houses
16:25 underestimate don’t give enough credit or value to this
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Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

Reouhidi Ndjerareou: Slang and Cultural Expression

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Approx. time Expression Explanation
0:39 literally growing opportunities generally means increasing options for work and life, but here it has the actual and basic meaning of farming, of growing crops
0:44 Bhutan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhutan mountainous Asian country between China and India
0:49 sustainability system of enduring processes that incorporate ecology, economics, and culture
1:21 curriculum coordinated study plan
1:32 agricultural growing crops
1:34 entrepreneurship process of starting and running a business
2:10 worked its way eventually became available
2:20 MSUE (Michigan State University Extension) http://msue.anr.msu.edu educating Michiganders to improve jobs, health, families, and communities
3:44 back to your roots returning to one’s earlier background or heritage
3:54 speechless unable to talk
4:13 ethnically Nepali having group or tribal identity from Nepal
5:01 birthplace place where someone was born
5:11 fled ran away, escaped from
5:16 civilians ordinary people
5:29 traumatic full of stress, emotion, upset
5:38 UNICEF United Nations Program providing long-term humanitarian and developmental assistance in developing countries
6:10 IOM (International Organization for Migration) http://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home.html
6:20 resettled helped to make a home in a new place
8:00 Burmese the language of Burma
8:06 Karen ethnic group of southern Burma
8:15 gesticulating using gestures to show one’s meaning
8:29 empathy ability to understand someone’s feelings
8:58 grace giving and receiving of love and kindness, whether we deserve it or not
8:36 discrete skills skills that are separate and distinct
11:10 Bethany www.bethany.org/grandrapids/hope-farms
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Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

Kharka Gurung & Scott Townley: Slang and Cultural Expressions

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Approx. time Expression Explanation
0:36 N’Djamena, Chad http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N'Djamena
0:38 Third Culture Kid Also TCK or 3CK, this is a child who was raised in a culture outside of the parents' culture for a significant part of his/her developing years.
0:45 Grand Rapids Theological Seminary https://www.cornerstone.edu/grts
1:57 Biblical related to the Bible, the holy book of Christians
1:59 behold look, see
2:06 underscores Christian heritage emphasizes Christian background or history
2:24 Trinity Evangelical Divinity School http://divinity.tiu.edu
2:30 Old Testament Theology the study of the nature of God and religious thought from the first part (Hebrew part) of the Christian Bible
2:34 pastor an ordained minister, often a religious leader of a church
2:39 behind the pulpit preaching religious messages from an elevated position at the front of a church sanctuary
2:50 Billy Graham http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Graham
3:14 itinerant moving a lot
4:40 dissertation a long paper written to support one’s standing as a PhD (or similar advanced degree)
5:42 Central African Republic http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_African_Republic
6:33 formative years years when a young person is developing his thoughts and beliefs
7:45 Africanized becoming more like an African
7:52 Chadian a person from Chad
7:54 kinship relationship, often of a family
8:31 lineage relations between a person and his/her past family members
8:42 communal culture where community members have a strong and defined relationship
8:51 ancestors family members who preceded you
9:00 testimony a written or spoken statement given to make it public and official
9:15 ministry one form of religious practice and programming
10:36 LINC Revitalization http://www.lincrev.org/home.php
10:42 Natural Helper someone at LINC who works as a liaison between the organization providing service and the community members who need it
11:46 revitalized given new energy
11:55 set the tone established the way people will think and talk
13:02 indigenous leadership when local people are put in positions of power
13:25 colonial powers when outside countries enter other countries to take over the industries, the political leadership, and the other systems of a perceived “lesser” society
13:50 on the ground right there, present, in place
14:06 throw off the yoke (of colonialism) get rid of old colonial system of rule
14:13 lingering staying around, not going away
14:51 holistic belief that all parts of an organization are closely connected and important
15:17 with open arms with a big welcome (like hugging)
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Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

José "Cha-Cha" Jimenez Show: Slang and Cultural Expressions

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Approx. time Expression Explanation
1:05 Young Lords of Lincoln Park Puerto Rican youth movement with origins in street gang protection; transitioned into civil rights organizing
1:10 civil rights activist someone who actively works for equal access for people who are traditionally discriminated against
2:27 red-blooded Americans fully patriotic citizens of the United States
3:44 blatant outright, obvious, without trying to hide
5:08 drug cartels organized, professional drug-selling and -smuggling groups
5:15 coalesced came together, unified
5:40 pilgrims people on an important journey
5:52 catechism classes basic religious education in the Catholic Church
6:06 orphanage home for children without parents
6:12 Caballeros de San Juan Knights of San Juan, a social/religious order founded in Puerto Rico
6:15 Knights of Columbus social/religious service order founded in the U.S.
6:17 Damas de Maria Daughters of Maria, a social/religious service order for women
6:33 Spanish mass to have the Catholic worship service done in Spanish
6:55 clash to confront, fight, disagree, argue
7:13 turned us around moved in a new (usually positive) direction
7:30 urban renewal program to change urban settings by redeveloping land and land use (often with the consequence of forcing out poorer, less politically connected residents)
7:40 substance abuse pattern of using drugs or alcohol in amounts that are dangerous to the individual or to others
7:49 Black Panthers political action organization dedicated originally to urban patrols and protecting black Americans from police brutality; evolved into a politically oriented group, advocating for worker rights and against capitalism/imperialism
8:00 Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Thomas Merton African-American Christian minister and civil rights leader who practiced non-violence (assassinated 1968), African-American Muslim minister and civil rights leader (assassinated 1965), French-American Catholic priest and writer of 70 books on spirituality, social justice, and pacifism
8:07 altar boy young person who helps a Catholic priest serve the worship mass; now called “altar servers” (to include girls) or “acolytes”
9:05 rioters people who wildly or violently disturb the public order, often breaking property or injuring bystanders
9:26 petty criminals people who commit simple, low-level crimes
9:40 coalition groups of people who join together for a common purpose
10:00 gentrification shifting an urban area towards wealthier residences and businesses, usually coordinated by city planners and real estate companies to encourage economic development but often displacing the original poorer residents (gentry = wealthy class)
10:25 evict to remove someone from their property, usually with the support of the law
11:30 Harold Washington African-American lawyer and Democratic politician who defeated established white politicians to become Chicago’s first black mayor
11:35 self-determination the right and process to control one’s own life
11:58 precinct coordinator person who organizes the political activity within one urban voting district (called a “precinct”)
12:05 endorse to publicly support a person for elected office (or support a program for official implementation)
12:11 alderman city district representative, councilman
12:19 Daley Machine the political organization and alliances that supported Chicago’s then-longest serving mayor, Richard J. Daley
12:50 picketing people with signs standing outside a business trying to persuade others not to enter to work or do business there
13:21 archives collection of historical documents and artifacts
14:04 indigenous originally from that place, born there
14:23 oral histories stories about the past that are shared by re-telling
15:19 in concert with along with, connected to, organized together
16:20 breed to produce new (animals, people, ideas)
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Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

Carlos Pava Show: Slang and Cultural Expressions

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Approx. time Expression Explanation
1:51 cost prohibitive too expensive
2:04, 2:07 Big Rapids, MI...Ferris State University a public university with over 14,000 students
2:34 immersion being totally surrounded (in this case: by English)
3:04 It turns out... It somehow ended (or resulted) in this way...
4:15 G.P.A. Grade Point Average is calculated in many American schools with these value assignments (from high to low): A = 4 points, B = 3 points, C = 2 points, D = 1 point, E (or F) = 0 points.  A perfect academic record of all A’s is a 4.0 average (pronounced “four-point-oh”).
5:00 interpreter someone who changes spoken words from one language into another language
6:31 healthcare provider herself 1) healthcare provider = person who works in healthcare: nurse, medical technician, physician, physician’s assistant, nurse clinician, etc.  2) herself = emphasis that SHE also is one of these people
7:05 discrete skillset specific collection of abilities
8:07 mandated ordered, required
8:19 language accommodation making room for language needs, allowing for language
8:42 dispatch to send out
8:51 frill something fancy, something extra
9:57 disparities unequal differences in resource distribution
10:07 language barrier when language blocks or hurts communication
10:23 disposition the natural mindset of a person or organization
10:35 grave very serious 
11:11 preventative care medical care for people before they get sick so that they won’t get sick
11:35 builds up accumulates, adds up more and more
11:37 acute care serious care that needs immediate attention
11:51 HIPPA 1996 medical law that offers strict guidelines for patient privacy regarding health information
12:19 technical procedures many things done in a medical setting: x-rays, laser treatment, surgery, radiation, biopsy, and many more
12:38 ethics rules for good and proper behavior
13:40 modules segments (or units) of learning material
14:12 drawing to a close coming to an end, getting ready to finish
14:46 delegate to assign tasks to different members of a team
15:35 core expertise basic (or central) knowledge and skills of one’s job
15:57 www.VoicesForHealth.com Carlos has worked for over 15 years helping provide medical communication across languages.
16:10 vulnerability weakness, being in a situation of risk or harm
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Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

AISO Student Show: Slang and Cultural Expressions

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Approx. time Expression Explanation
1:08 Turkmenistan Central Asian country of 5 million people
1:14 Italy Southern European country of 60 million people
1:18 Cameroon West-Central African country of 22 million people
1:45 take a shot make an attempt, give a try
4:50 Clinton School of Public Service graduate school offering a Master’s degree in public service
5:40 Frankfort, MI city in northwest Michigan
5:48 give an oath to raise one’s hand and promise to make a truthful official statement (in a courtroom or government building), often with one’s other hand placed on a holy or legal book [also: take or swear an oath]
6:37 Michiganders people who live in or come from the state of Michigan (preferred over “Michiganian”)
7:50 Association of International Student Organizations (AISO) https://www.facebook.com/usaiso
10:44 University of Arkansas Razorbacks university located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, having the mascot of a wild razorback boar
11:32 Go, Lakers! cheer of the university located in Allendale, Michigan, having the mascot of a sailor named Louie the Laker
11:58 Global Talent Retention Initiative (GTRI) non-profit organization dedicated to keeping talented international students in Michigan after they finish their university studies
14:18 up to 110ºF The temperature of 110ºF is informally pronounced “one-ten” and is equivalent to 43ºC
15:22 The Godfather famous American movie about the U.S. mafia
15:40 mocking making fun of, ridiculing
15:49 episode of racism past event involving racial discrimination
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, , ,

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

Anthony Chang Show: Slang and Cultural Expressions

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Approx. time Expression Explanation
2:03 radiochemist person who studies the chemistry of radioactive materials
2:18 in layman’s terms in the language of everyday people, in simple words
2:23 medical physics applying the concepts and methods of physics to the practice of medicine and healthcare
2:40 radiological images pictures taken with x-rays and other scanning technologies
2:50 modalities methods or types (of treatment)
2:53 PET, CT, MRI, ultrasound various scanning technologies used in healthcare: Positron Emission Tomography, Computerized Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging
3:01 open people up surgically cutting patients open
3:17 radiation therapy Therapy using ionizing radiation. Usually done after cancer surgery, a targeted way of killing cancer cells. 
3:28 medical physicist person who applies the concepts and methods of physics to the practice of medicine and healthcare
3:37 shooting the radiation aiming and releasing ionizing radiation on patients
3:46 surrounding tissues area of the body immediately around the treatment area
5:20 scalpel biopsy removing a small sample of possible cancer from a patient with a surgical knife
5:43 molecular imaging a noninvasive (nonsurgical) way of monitoring molecular activities in the body
5:49 anatomical difference difference in body structures
6:44 outlaw person who doesn’t like to conform to the rules or laws
6:52 Mandarin school school where subjects are taught in Mandarin Chinese
8:02 automatic flush system system that flushes a toilet without the user’s need to activate the water flow
8:12 plumbing engineering...self-taught degree learned by himself how to diagnose and fix pipes and valves (this was a joke in the conversation)
9:19 Taiwanese work ethic how people from Taiwan work very hard
9:31 willpower strong internal desire
9:53 scuffles small fights
9:57 as long as under the condition that
10:17 martial art traditional system of fighting that teaches physical health, self-defense, mental toughness, competition, spirituality, and self-confidence
10:51 black belt a woven cloth strap worn around the waist of a martial arts fighter that symbolizes the highest ranking of achievement
11:23 bronze medal award for the third-best competitor in a contest
11:37 heavyweight (division) the largest competitive grouping (by weight)
12:21 ... and up ... and higher (setting a minimum number and going up from there)
12:26 6’ 5” six feet, five inches tall
15:33 stand in the ring ready for competition in the center of the fighting area
16:07 whining complaining, making sad noises, feeling sorry for oneself
17:15 straightforward direct
17:28 curvy not direct
18:26 road trip going somewhere by car (instead of airplanes or trains) in order to take more time to observe the scenery and people 
19:42 GVSU, MSU Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University
20:00 Thesis of the Year the best written project submitted during this year
20:19 undergraduate students students in their first four years of college, those who have not finished the bachelor’s degree yet
20:30 Stanford, Harvard, Johns Hopkins famous, top American research universities
21:03 synergy interactive energy producing great results
21:09 time has flown by time has gone by quickly
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Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

Andrew Gill Show: Slang and Cultural Expressions

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Approx. time Expression Explanation
1:18 vaguely in a way that is uncertain or unclear
1:45 ironic when words are used the opposite of their meaning in order to be funny
1:55 English reserve ... kick in British tendency to be quiet will come out
2:45 “perform” demonstrate (by speaking)
3:02 do a double take look at something surprising/unusual for a second time after looking at it a moment earlier
3:05 chaps guys, fellows (informal: people, usually males)
4:03 doubled up in laughter laughed so hard they were bent over at the waist
4:36 United Kingdom, U.K., England, Britain, Great Britain, Britannia England, Wales, Scotland = Great Britain
Great Britain + N. Ireland = United Kingdom
4:50 topical appropriate or current to the topic under discussion
4:55 England, Wales, Scotland = Great Britain http://maban.co.uk/53/
  Great Britain + N. Ireland = United Kingdom http://maban.co.uk/53/
5:58 dispensation accommodation, allowance, special treatment
7:01 wind the clock back go back in time
8:04 dawned on me occurred to me, suddenly realized
8:44 mongrel mixing informal (or slightly negative) way of saying that Americans come from a rich (or complicated) mix of races and ethnicities
9:47 don’t knock don’t criticize
10:05 put up against compare (favorably) with
11:26 fly the Union Jack to display the British flag
12:08 Stars & Stripes another name for the American flag
12:35 akin to similar to, related to
13:18 Name That Americanism a quiz to match British expressions with American ones
13:50 1. the letter “zed” American English = the letter “zee” (Z)
14:02 2. trainers American English = tennis shoes, sneakers
14:17 3. ticket tout American English = scalper
14:28 4. solicitor American English = attorney, lawyer
14:48 5. biscuit American English = cookie
14:55 6. agony aunt American English = advice columnist
15:25 7. braces American English = suspenders
15:37 8. candy floss American English = cotton candy
15:43 tip of my tongue ready to speak the word but can’t remember it
5:48 9. the loo American English = bathroom, restroom
16:02 euphemistic polite, diplomatic, trying not to offend
16:19 10. Joe Bloggs American English = Joe Blow
17:46 right it to make it right, to fix it
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, , , , , ,

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

Amer Zahr Show: Slang and Cultural Expressions

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Approx. time Expression Explanation
1:28 come around beginning to understand or accept
3:15 end up to eventually become, to land in a position after a long time
3:25 overachiever someone who accomplishes far more than the average
3:30 run in the family be a common trait in the family
3:46 spoils wealth, possessions, comfort
3:51 Associate’s degree a two-year college degree
4:09 Plan B the option to choose when your first choice is not possible
4:15 mess up make mistakes, fail
4:44 greatest asset biggest strength, advantage, or benefit
4:54 cc can’t relax or take it easy, must work hard
5:57 exotic having the characteristics of a faraway foreign country
6:57 Al Sharpton African-American pastor and activist for social justice
7:06 discriminatory/bigoted showing preference against certain people because of their gender, race, religion, or other features
7:17 gain points gain an advantage in the public view
7:19 Herman Cain Tea Party Republican businessman who ran for U.S. President in 2012
7:22 Cabinet the group of Secretaries who advise the President (Defense, State, Education, Housing, Health, Transportation, etc.)
7:25 John McCain Republican Senator from Arizona who ran for U.S. President in 2008
7:41 So what if he were? Why should this matter?  Why is this even important?
8:21 assimilate lose individuality by blending in, fitting in
8:34 subcontinental Indian Asians from the subcontinent of India (distinguished from Native Americans, who are mistakenly called Indians)
8:44 get our whiteness on become white
8:49 our piece of the pie our share of the economic and political system
9:15 naturalization becoming a new citizen
10:18 census form a form residents fill out every 10 years so the U.S. government can account for population growth, representation, infrastructure, and other changes
11:05 hate crimes crime motivated by racial, sexual, religious, or other kind of prejudice, often one involving violence
11:39 Peter King Republican Congressman from Long Island, NY
11:50 Dearborn, MI western suburb of Detroit with largest U.S. population of Arab Americans
12:27 AmerZahr.com videos, booking info, and contact info
12:47 “We’re Not White” http://bit.ly/TvWo9L 
12:54 CivilArab.com where Amer discusses politics, business, and culture
13:05 Being Palestinian Makes Me Smile compilation of Amer’s blogs, musings, stories
/ /

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

Kyle Lim Show: Slang and Cultural Expressions

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Approx. time Expression Explanation
1:29 convoluted not straightforward, complex, twisted, hard to follow
2:24 Calvin College small, liberal arts college in Grand Rapids, MI
2:32 Malays, Chinese, British, Indians Many Singapore residents come from Malaysia, China, the UK, and India.
2:40 over millennia across thousands of years (of history)
2:43 cranky and contentious in a bad mood, difficult to agree with
2:53 D.N.A. basic genetic material (here: core, foundation)
3:11 coming into its own developing its own identity and patterns
3:25 national pledge a statement of loyalty to one’s country
3:53 Hari Raya Breaking of the Fast, also called Eid al Fitr (In Islam, the end of Ramadan)
3:55 Deepavali Festival of Lights, also called Divali (for Hindus)
4:02 acknowledgement  recognition, acceptance that something is true
4:14 collective identity feeling like a group
4:23 predominantly mostly, the majority
4:38 ethnically being of a certain tribe or cultural group
4:41 proportionate to corresponding, comparable, equivalent to
4:50 Anglo white English speaker
5:20 Caucasian white person
5:23 few and far between rare
5:37 phenotypically judged by shape, size, color, and behavior
5:55 jarring hitting, shaking, forcefully impacting
6:17 vivid strong, lively, vigorous
6:35 American sit-com, “Full House” situation comedy broadcast from 1987-95
6:48 Bob Saget  American actor who appeared in “Full House”
7:28 hapa a person of mixed ethnic heritage; from the Hawaiian word for “part” or “mixed”
7:35 Make mulattoes, not war. Mulattoes are biracial people, traditionally from one black and one white parent. Kyle is cleverly playing off of an old slogan, “Make love, not war.”
7:52 overt noticeable, open, unhidden
8:15 conforming pressure force that makes everyone act or be the same
8:48 edgy bold, provoking, making people uncomfortable
9:00 embodiment something that perfectly represents an idea or quality
9:28 take-aways...gleaned things (that were) learned
9:38 cut and dried clear, not ambiguous
9:47 ethnicity tribe or cultural group
9:59 grapple with struggle with, work hard to deal with or understand
10:03 across the board includes everyone (or everything), no exceptions
11:24 on the Hill Heritage Hill, a historically wealthy section of Grand Rapids built in the 1800s
11:27 furniture tycoons people who became wealthy from the furniture manufacturing business
11:42 manyfold numerously, by many times
11:53 Baxter Community Center southeast Grand Rapids neighborhood center supporting the community’s needs in childcare, healthcare, mentoring, education, clothing, and other aspects of wellbeing 
12:25 complacent lazy, comfortable, not thinking critically
13:07 superficial on the surface, not in depth
13:12 immersed completely surrounded by
13:33 vulnerability having or showing weaknesses or imperfection
13:45 doesn’t necessarily equate may not be the same thing
14:09 conflated with class mixed in together with issues of social class (i.e., being rich or poor)
14:28 Reimagining Diversity www.reimagediversity.com
14:31 Tall Turf Ministries Christian urban ministry in Grand Rapids, MI (tallturf.org)
14:42 impetus motivation
14:50 inhibitors to conversation things that discourage us from talking about the topic
14:55 diversity & inclusion having many differences and making a place for all differences to participate
15:15 equity equal access
15:54 www.reimaginediversity.com programs and consulting services for diversity & inclusion
16:14 for one as one example
16:33 both sides of the coin both sides of the issue
/ /

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

Mach Makuei Show: Slang and Cultural Expressions

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Approx. time Expression Explanation
1:14 Albion College Albion College is the alma mater of both Mach and Alan; his foster mom Catherine taught there. www.albion.edu
1:45 displaced moved or forced from the original place
1:47 Duk http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duk_County
2:01 North: Moslem/Arab The capital city (of Khartoum) and the historical seat of power in Sudan lay in the north of the country.
2:05 South: African/Christian The newly formed country of South Sudan has Juba as its capital. For more background, go here
2:15 flee escape quickly, run away from something
2:31 United Nations (U.N.) About the U.N.’s work with refugees
2:56 make sense of come to understand, figure out
4:36 running water water that flows from pipes when you need it
5:08 dirt roads basic roads without pavement
6:02 a big deal important
6:57 glorified praised, spoken highly of
7:55 nuclear family core family members of parents and children (as opposed to extended family composed of aunts/uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc.)
8:17 cattle cows (an important part of Dinka culture and economy)
8:25 come in handy become useful
8:35 entrepreneurial instinct the sense of how to do business, how to make money
9:29 trench a linear groove dug in the ground to channel water (or pipes or wires) to a certain destination
9:32 funnel into a ditch direct into an excavated channel for moving water
9:45 irrigation system a way to direct a regular supply of water to crops
10:08 come up with create, develop, think of, design
10:29 middle of nowhere a location with no buildings or services nearby
10:52 Anaheim Mighty Ducks professional ice hockey team in southern California
11:52 dive in to enter directly, without hesitation
12:22 land of milk and honey place with abundant food and good life [from the Bible]
13:08 foster parent a parent who agrees to take care of children who are not their biological children
15:10 carry yourself behave, act
15:24 well-rounded ability to do and understand a wide variety of tasks and topics
16:03 open their hearts/homes emotionally accept and physically house (the children)
18:11 PayMyMove.com one of Mach’s two companies
18:31 flat fee pricing structure that allows one fixed cost for a service
18:56 NationalApartmentMovers.com the second of Mach’s two companies
Bonus More details on Mach’s story Go here for the blog accounts of Mach’s foster mother, Catherine, who shares her cross-cultural observations of fostering three refugee children
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Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

Lana Lie Show: Slang and Cultural Expressions

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Approx. time Expression Explanation
2:04 ancestry/ancestors the people in your family who came before you (grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.)
2:10 sultan ruler or sovereign of a region
2:42 seamstress woman who sews clothing for a living
4:48 abroad overseas, in a different country
5:48 Hudsonville, MI small town in western Michigan
6:19 advocate someone who supports or speaks up for other people
7:16 Bahasa Indonesia the language of Indonesia
7:29 keep it up continue, not quit
8:40 straddling with one foot on each side
9:33 The Creative Needle Lana Lie’s sewing business
10:26 boutiques small shops specializing in a few items or services
10:39 bridal shops shops to find dresses and accessories for weddings
11:16 followed in her footsteps did the same thing as she did
11:20 alterations adapting clothing to better fit the customer
11:27 tuck to push material into a covered space
11:52 niche small area or market in which to do business
12:04 beading applying small beads to the clothing
13:13 venturing out going out to try something new, taking a chance
13:42 more passive quiet, not assertive, not proactive
14:24 ballroom dancing a style of partner dancing done for both social and competitive purposes (includes waltz, tango, foxtrot, quickstep, polka, cha-cha, and two-step)
14:54 take the plunge go ahead, be bold, do something courageous
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Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

Paulo Saiani Show: Slang and Cultural Expressions

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Approx. time Expression Explanation
1:10 multi-national having locations in many countries
1:30 Dow Automotive automotive materials division of Dow Chemical http://www.dowautomotive.com 
1:55 POWERHOUSE Dow Solar solar division of Dow Chemical http://www.dowpowerhouse.com 
2:16 Dow AgroSciences agricultural division of Dow Chemical http://www.dowagro.com 
2:36 heart and soul true character, center of emotions and feeling
3:06 Bahia State large state in the east-northeast of Brazil http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahia 
3:21 Midland, MI city near the center of the state (mid-land), home of Dow Chemical headquarters
4:07 getting things done accomplishing tasks, with the focus on the job (not on people)
4:58 one of the beauties of one of the advantages of, one of the beautiful things about
5:25 expats/expatriates workers who move overseas for temporary job assignment
6:27 virtual group people who gather for discussions online
6:59 breaks the ice initiates conversation, gets people talking past an awkward silence
8:55 24/7 Pronounced “twenty-four-seven,” this means 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
9:18 dragster racing car
9:35 VW bug Volkswagen beetle
9:44 aerodynamics very smooth design, with low wind resistance
9:49 big block a V-8 engine with large displacement
10:14 American muscle (car) car with big, powerful engines for racing (ex: Chevy Camaro, Ford Mustang, Dodge Charger)
10:24 autocross races timed car race where individual driver competes against the clock, navigating a defined race course, with focus on skill and handling rather than pure speed and horsepower
10:29 ice runs car-racing on inland lakes in the winter
11:46 NASCAR National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing
12:32 up and running all set, completely ready to go
14:42 arch-rival #1 enemy, the team you love to hate
16:23 embraced completely accepted, welcomed with open arms
16:36 abroad overseas, in another country
17:19 Day Zero from the very beginning
18:38 Seija bemvindo! Portuguese for “(Know that) you’re welcome!”

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Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.