The book “Bendit Like Beckham” written by Narindi Dhami is about the problems living in another culture. Being an Indian girl living in England can be hard, because of the differences in costumes and culture between Europeans and Asians. Jesminder Bahmra, called Jess for short, is an Indian girl who lives with her family in Southall, London. Southall is a part of the town where many families of Indian origin live. She, as many other children from other parts of the world, talks English and is born in England. Jess has a very good talent for soccer, and dreams to be a professional soccer player like her “hero” David Beckham. But her family is very against her playing soccer and doesn't allow her to play. The book is mostly about how she is still playing, without her family knowing and her relationship with her coach, Joe.
The book addresses learning outcome three. The book shows us how different the two cultures are how their view on different matters comes through. It is not only the language that is different with the two cultures. Her language is shaped by her culture and the context, and you can clearly understand the culture differences between the Indian people and the British in the book which is the reason she is not allowed to do what she wants to do.
“Jess: That's not all. She called me a Paki. But I guess that's something you wouldn't understand. Joe: Jess, I'm Irish. Of course I understand what that feels like.”
“Jess: I'm sorry I missed that penalty, coach. Joe: It's okay, losing to the Jerries on penalties comes natural to you English. You're part of tradition now!” These two quotations address the learning outcome because as in the first quotation, she is being called something in Indian and she knows that this word in her culture is bad. The second quotation is more about now when she is a part of the British people, she has to adjust to their language and their culture.
Hannah Markisohn:
SvarSlettI agree with Elise. When people grow up in multiple cultures it’s usually hard to fit into both. When you younger it is easier to try, but as you get older and want to find your own way it gets harder, usually from people trying to push you one way or another. Most of the time those people are friends or family who believe they are doing what is best for you. As the summary says Jess’s family is very against her playing soccer, but she decides to play anyways. The book then continues on to show how this changes her relationship with her family; it doesn’t say whether it is for the better or not. I also agree that this does cover learning outcome three because Jess’s culture shapes the way her family perceives her playing soccer. It shows that despite that her family and their culture disapprove she is still trying to chase her dream, which is playing soccer.