The selected chapter Words and Culture is written by Ronald Wardhaugh in his book An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. This chapter focuses on the interreationship between language and culture. The author first introduces the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, which claims that language has strong influence on culture. He then discusses the study of kinship terms, (folk) taxonomies, color terms, prototypes, and taboo and euphrmisms used in different cultures to furthur support the hypothesis.
The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis illustrates the stucture of one language strongly affect the world-view of its speakers. Wardhaugh first quotes the explaination from Sapir and Whorf to demonstrates a clear outline of the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis.Sapir believes language and culture is “inextricably related” (Wardhaugh, 2009). He states how people usually use language largely constructs reality. Whorf extends Sapir’s idea and claims that the relationship between language and culture is “a deterministic one” (Wardhaugh, 2009). He interpres that the linguistic system of one language develops a certain thinking pattern, which could influence the world-view of that group (Wardhaugh, 2009). Wardhaugh then analyzes the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis with different perspectives. In his analysis, society and language form a mutual relation of reflection and construction. To support the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, Wardhaugh expresses his opinions mainly in two aspects. First, speakers of their first language are more senstive to their culture and more easier to perceive the slight distinctions in their language. Second, the linguistice system helps as well as limits the understandings of the culture of their language. In this manner, a problem of lost in translation, which means a ...
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...pes cultural values and the influence goes around as well. What people say influence what they think and act in reality. They learn their culture to perform appopriately through language. In other words, culture is transmitted through the media of language. Wardhaugh’s book provides readers a brief idea about how language affect culture. It is a valuable reference since it is well-written and comprehensive. His book is suitable for advanced undergraduates who are interested in the interreationship between language and culture. It affords a rich source of overviews to evoke insightful knowledge for readers’ future language study. In addition, it offers readers the thought-provoking questions in each chapter, which could highly stimulate their interest to the field.
Works Cited
Wardhaugh, R. (2010). An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, 6th edn. UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
Even nowadays, there still an issue that connected with language and related to cultures such as cultural relativism and ethnocentrism. Cultural relativism is a behavior in one culture that should not be judged by another’s value system which basically is a belief of own culture practice with respect and understand the different of other culture. While ethnocentrism is the opposite of cultural relativism. It is the ideal that one’s own culture is the main standard and better than other cultures such if other’s culture practice is contrary to your cultural norm, that practice would be immediately wrong. In Language Myths provide many examples of this issue in many chapters which I will be discussing below.
Bataille suggests the use of cultural theory to attack and analyse language. Therefore, the characteristic theme
Language has been said to effect culture and a person’s way of thinking; in addition to culture effecting language. Throughout the last 100 years there have been apparent and subtle changes in the English language. The changes an English speaking person may see throughout their life time are different catchphrases, the way language is written, the type of formality used, and how deeply English is affected by cultures; as well as how it effects other cultures around the world.
Language is what makes a culture; it is the base of a culture. Without a certain type of dialect or...
Another difficulty cultures deal with is language and the way people speak. In some cases, people struggle to belong by making changes in the way they speak the English language just to be assimilated. They attempt to use words and letters, as well as body language that fit in the norm; all in an attempt to denounce their original intonation and style of pronunciation. One ...
In his essay, “What is Culture?”, Kluckhohn explains the differences and similarities amongst world’s peoples. To support his explanation of the differences and similarities he provides the concept of culture. It is difficult to give this concept a precise definition because the word “culture” is a broad term. Kluckhohn allows the reader to understand the concept of culture by providing examples of cultural differences along with some anthropological evidence to support his views.
Language shapes the way we think as an individual and contributes to many aspects of our lives, such as they way we learn. The way we speak about things can also show a great deal about a culture and is influenced by the communication that we use, and the way we speak to each other. An example would be the Bushmen who speak in a negative manner towards hunters who have brought food as a means of keeping everyone humble and equal in power. In a way, this idea follows the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis to explain how their use of criticizing language will overall influence the way that the men think. In addition, the way that cultures share and prepare food is a major aspect to consider. It is important to look at the expectation a culture may have based on the idea of reciprocity and the dependency they have with one
"Languageand Communication within the Culture." Languageand Communication within the Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2014.
—. Language: Readings in Language and Culture. 6th ed. New York: St. Martin's, 1998. Print.
In a view of sociology, human society is inseparable from culture. In Gerrig (2010), he academically defined culture as “The share ways of life that facilitate the interaction and communication among social members, and yet at the same time classify and position them into different and unequal social categories”. That means culture is being communicated by thought, feeling and action. More significantly, the wordings of share, communication and social members are essential factors towards culture. It shows that culture is unique
Humans have been communicating since four million years. On the other hand, the birth of culture is estimated to have taken place about 35,000 years ago. Today, both culture and communication have evolved considerably and have become interdependent of one another, to the point that communication is considered to be a product of culture. Thus, our own culture has a deep impact on our thoughts and behaviors. Since each culture has its distinct aspects, intercultural communication can be the cause of conflict and disorder. There are three main issues which are at the root of the problem of intercultural miscommunication : language as a barrier, cultural diversity and ethnocentrism. I will analyze these three notions in situations in which intercultural communication is frequent such as : the workplace, the classroom and vacation trips.
Language is a means of human communication whether verbally or nonverbally. In everyday life we use language to express our thoughts, feelings ,attitudes,etc.A great amount of social interactions takes place every day over the telephone ,by online chats, face –to face interaction or at workplaces .We use language of different forms for different functions as in to inform, question , and sometimes to strengthen social relationships or just to keep the social wheels turning smoothly. Moreover, understanding one's own language and even other cultures’ language is important to arrive at a successful and effective communication with others . The study of language can be undertaken in various ways .Semantics and pragmatics are two branches of linguistics which are concerned with the study of meaning.
The book An Intorduction of Sociolinguistics is an outstanding introductary book in the field of sociolinguistics. It encompasses a wide range of language issues. In chapter 13, Wardhaugh provides a good insight to the relationship between language and gender. He explains gender differences of language-in-use with concise examples. Wardhaugh riases questions about sexist language and guides readers to look closer at how people use language differently because of their own gender in daily life. According to the Whorfian hypothesis, which indicates that the way people use language reflects their thoughts, different genders adapt different communication strategies.
“Language is a system of communication using vocal sounds, gestures, or written symbols; the basis of symbolic culture and the primary means through which we communicate with one another and perpetuate our culture” (Pg 78) Language is the most significant element of culture. It has allowed us to develop and separate ourselves from all other species on the planet. Language is what connects us from the past, present and future. It allows us the grasp concepts complicated concepts to pass along to future generations. “Language is so important that many have argued that it shapes not only our communication but our perception” (Pg 78 Para 5 Line 1) The Sapir and Whorf Hypothesis broke from the traditional idea of language and made it concrete that language actually structures a thought, “That perception not only suggests the need for words with which to express what is perceived but also that the words themselves help create those perceptions” (Pg 78 Para 5 Line