An Evaluation of the Cultural Aspects in the University English Textbook, Well Read 1

Abstract

This descriptive study, first, seeks to identify the extent to which the different cultures (source culture, target culture, and international target culture) are represented in the textbook, Well Read 1. This textbook is written by Laurie Blass, Mindy Pasternak, and Elisaveta Wrangell and published by Oxford University Press (2007). Second, it aims to recognize the way these cultural aspects are presented. Third, it ascertains the most dominant and portrayed culture(s) in the prescribed textbook. The content analysis method was employed to meet the abovementioned objectives, and Cortazzi and Jin's (1999) model was followed. The purposive sampling was applied to elicit the data from this textbook through selecting representative texts and passages. The findings clarified that the three cultures (source culture, target culture, and international target culture) are generally represented to varying degrees throughout this culturally-based textbook. Besides, the cultural aspects were explicitly and implicitly embedded in different cultural areas in the form of online, magazine, academic and timeline articles. Moreover, it is evident that the target and the international target cultures predominate with little reference to the learners' source culture, i.e. Islamic and Arabic culture (Turkey, Mediterranean, and Morocco). Being aware of the different cultural aspects and the inseparability of language and culture is crucial for an efficient use of English in diverse contexts.