Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Jamaica Through Stereotypes

Abstract

The paper, the third in a series of articles, investigates stereotypes concerning four of the most important English-speaking cultures — Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Jamaica — and to what extent these stereotypes are known and felt to be real among Hungarian and Albanian students of English. It includes a short introduction about the definition of stereotypes and clichés, their significance in intercultural communication, and then draws up a list of the commonest stereotypes about the four countries and nations, a list of 36 stereotypes altogether. This list was sent in a questionnaire to a large number of Hungarian and Albanian students, whose replies indicate clearly which are the most and least known stereotypes in Hungary and Albania about four of the most important English-speaking cultures. The conclusion offers an analysis of the results and an interesting summary of the respondents’ comments on the different stereotypes mentioned in the questionnaire.