A new book has been published in Iceland that aims at helping foreigners in the country better integrate into Icelandic society.
Titled “Handan dalanna” (Beyond the Valleys), the book focuses on what its author calls “cultural fluency” — the idioms, phrases and unwritten rules that often go beyond formal language learning but are essential in everyday life and the workplace.
The book addresses topics such as the interpretation of workplace timing phrases, common Icelandic idioms, and practical language use, with each story accompanied by vocabulary lists and illustrations to support comprehension.
Iceland has a population of roughly 400,000 people, of whom around 80,000 are foreign nationals. Among residents from South East Asia are about 2,200 from the Philippines, around 1,000 from Vietnam and approximately 1,700 from Thailand.
Written by Kristín Guðmundsdóttir, “Handan dalanna” uses 12 illustrated stories to explain common linguistic and cultural hurdles faced by people of foreign origin, particularly in professional communication, where subtle meanings behind everyday expressions can easily lead to misunderstandings.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/p/B%C3%B3k-fyrir-f%C3%B3lk-af-erlendum-uppruna-100063506376160/