The Relationship Between Language and Culture

~ A Completed Circle ~

"Chicken" and the "Egg"

vs.

Culture Language

 Does culture influence language or does language affect culture?

My Opinion...

 Language expresses and reflects our attitudes about the world according to our culture. At the same time, it also shapes our attitudes about the world.

Theory of Linguistic Relativity

 Culture influences language.

"People of different cultures speak differently because they think differently." ~ Claire Kramsch  Individual mindsets are determined by the meanings, values, and beliefs that make-up culture.

Case 1 - Specialized Vocabulary

o Extent of specialized vocabulary reflects the topic's importance to that culture.

Mare Colt

Horse

Foal Stallion Filly Cow Heifer

Cow

Bull Bullock Calf   Chinese “ 马” and “ 牛” .

English - "Chipmunk".

Case 1 - Specialized Vocabulary

 The high degree of specialization that English gives to “ horses ” and “ cows ” likely results from the importance of “ horses ” and “ cows ” in the history of English speaking cultures.  Different terms for beef demonstrate culturally-specific eating habits.

Case 2 - Cultural Presuppositions

Chicken/ 鸡 English: Cowardice Chinese: Prostitute   Through a body of shared knowledge, members of a culture give different words different meanings that only in-group members understand. Language includes cultural presuppositions that individuals must know in order to understand the message being conveyed

Case 3 - Word Meaning

Football American: Football - carried & thrown Soccer - kicked European: Football - kicked    Culturally-bound knowledge is reflected in the language used. Same words may mean different things in different cultures which causes misunderstandings.

Assigned definitions reflect what is culturally important and is rooted in a common body of knowledge and experiences shared by in-group members.

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

    The structure of language influences the manner in which one thinks and behaves. The relationship between language and culture is multi-directional – speakers give value to words for culturally important things and use these same words to create certain attitudes in listeners. “ terrorist ” => social condemnation vs. “ freedom fighter ” => positive image By using words to reinforce a particular belief among individuals, language plays a role in influencing culture.

Metaphors - Multi-Directional

   Metaphors contain symbolic content that both communicate and reinforce complex social and cultural messages. ~ "Time is Money" ~ By accepting the indirect assumption involved with this metaphor, the idea of time as a resource within the culture is strengthened perhaps more so than initially considered within the culture.

Conclusion

  Neither culture nor language would exist without the other. Language and culture should be seen as two parts of a circle – inseparable, constantly changing, and complete only when together.