Is it impossible to understand another culture without understanding its language?

That's an interesting question. I'd say language is crucial, but not the only way to understand a culture. For example, when I visited Jiuzhaigou, I couldn't speak the local Tibetan dialect, but I still felt connected through the food, landscapes, and people's gestures. The way elders smiled while serving butter tea or how families gathered for festivals-those moments conveyed meaning beyond words. That said, language does unlock deeper layers, like humor or historical references. Without it, you might grasp the surface but miss the nuances.