S4 B1-B2 COCONUT GIRL & THE COLONIAL PARADISE

to spark a massive debate

to cause a big, intense discussion

flat out racism

obvious and direct discrimination based on race

to protect one’s customs

to protect traditions from outside influence

portrayed in the mainstream media

shown in popular entertainment

to lambast sb

to criticize sb harshly

flawed understanding

an incorrect or incomplete way of seeing sth

rigid norms

strict, unchanging social rules

malleable ideas

concepts that can be changed or adapted easily

authentic culture

traditions and practices true to their origins

free of external influence

not changed by outside forces

a staple of Mexican food

a basic, essential part of Mexican cuisine

seamless cultural appropriation

taking elements of another culture smoothly, often without credit

to do a lot for the advancement of sth

to help sth progress greatly

to borrow from sb

to take ideas or customs from sb

arrogant

overly proud, looking down on others

to exert/assert ownership over sth

to claim authority over sth

to co-exist

to live or exist together peacefully

to claim cultural appropriation

to accuse sb of unfairly using another culture’s elements

clueless

having no understanding or awareness

to desecrate history

to disrespect or damage cultural heritage

to find commonalities in sth / to find common ground

to discover shared ideas or interests

to transcend language

to go beyond words in meaning or connection

outrage

extreme anger or shock

to point out differences

to highlight what makes things distinct

to distance ourselves from others

to separate from others

notion of paradise

the idea of a perfect, peaceful place

to enhance one’s appreciation of culture

to understand and value culture more

to commercialize sth

to turn sth into a product for profit

to persuade sb to do sth

to convince sb to do sth

to get away from it all

to escape daily life and relax

to exploit an insight

to use an understanding for advantage

marketing based around a conceptualized world

selling an idea of a perfect, imaginary place

to suspend the reality of one’s life

to temporarily forget real-life problems

at the root of this concept

the main idea behind this concept

deserted beach

a quiet beach with no people

gently lapping waves

soft, calm waves hitting the shore

addiction to paradise

a strong desire to always seek perfect places

enormous problems

very big issues

environmental destruction

serious harm to nature

poor local communities

native people living in the area with little money

beaches reserved for wealthy foreigners

beaches only for rich tourists

tourism destinations

popular places for travelers

to acknowledge the issue

to recognize a problem exists

(wildlife) conservation

protecting animals and nature

locals fenced off from the beaches

local people blocked from accessing beaches

to tackle environmental issues

to try to solve nature-related problems

fabrication of paradise

a false image of a perfect place

to wake up from the utopian lie

to realize the 'paradise' is not real

idyllic island

a perfect, peaceful tropical island

faux-Polynesian fantasy

a fake version of Polynesian culture

mishmash of borrowed and reimagined Pacific island culture

a mix of taken and altered elements from Pacific cultures

to flourish in America

to grow or become popular in the US

fixation with island culture

an obsession with tropical lifestyles

to embrace sth

to accept or adopt something willingly

love affair

a passionate, often temporary relationship

inspired by the sincere religious Polynesian art

influenced by genuine traditional Polynesian artwork

enterprise

a business or project, often for profit

first-person experience with sth

direct, personal involvement in sth

sensitive interactions with other cultures

careful and respectful engagement with older cultures

to resurrect a dream

to bring back a fantasy

to run off to the islands

to escape to tropical islands

to drink piña coladas in a hammock

to drink cocktails while lying on a piece of cloth hung between two trees

tacky

cheap, tasteless, or overly kitschy

to draw from a fantasy

to take inspiration from an imaginary ideal

pitfall

a hidden problem or danger

cartoonish versions of cultural iconography

exaggerated, unrealistic representations of cultural symbols

to co-opt sth

to take and use sth (often culture) for one’s own purposes

sacred meaning

deep spiritual or cultural significance

to carry on a tradition

to continue a cultural practice

to come about in (period)

to appear during a specific time

to buy into the lifestyle

to be persuaded to like a specific lifestyle

conception of sth

the original idea or creation of sth

a symbol of joyful escape

a symbol of happy freedom from daily life

everlasting summertime

never-ending summer

light breezy femininity

a delicate, carefree feminine style

to embody the feeling of vacation

to perfectly show the spirit of holiday time

to commodify sth for the tourism

to turn sth into a product for tourists

indigenous culture

the traditional way of life of native people

carefree

without worries or responsibilities

to evoke a feeling of dreamy summertime

to bring to mind a perfect summer mood

liberated summer silhouette

a free, comfortable summer clothing shape

covered in hibiscus motifs

decorated with tropical flower designs

leisure wear

comfortable clothes for relaxing

short hemline

clothing that ends high above the knees

shell necklace

jewelry made from seashells

highly sought after fashion item

a fashion piece many people want

beaded necklace

jewelry made with small decorative balls

temporary glitter tattoo

shiny body decoration that washes off

platform flip flops

raised beach sandals with thick soles

the epitome of sth

the perfect example of sth

quintessential to the aesthetic

absolutely necessary for the style

sun-kissed makeup

natural-looking makeup for a summer glow

to inform the aesthetic

to influence or shape the style

economic hardships

money problems and difficulties

to disproportionately affect sb

to impact sb more than others