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Lecture 9

Relationship betweenRelationship betweenLanguage and CultureLanguage and Culture

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Language is one of the main ways by which we send and receive messages.

Throughout the world there are some 5,000 different languages.

Only 20% have a written form; 80% are only spoken. Our language is a product of our culture, and our

culture is a product of our language. The language we speak influences what we see

and think, and what we see and think, in part, influences our culture.

Therefore, one can not become truly fluent in another language unless he also understands the cultural context in which to use that language.

Overview of Language & Culture

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From two famous linguists named Benjamin Whorf and his teacher Edward Sapir.

The central idea behind their theory, is that language is not merely a tool for reporting experience, but more importantly it is a shaper of ideas.

In other words, a language does not merely record and transmit perceptions and thoughts, it actually helps to shape them.

Language controls the way we think and perceive the world. It is the guide for our mental activity.

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

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We understand and make sense of the world according to our mother language.

Because languages are self-contained and limited, it follows then that they would limit our view of and orientation in the world.

If this hypothesis is true, it is evident then that language plays a large and important role in culture.

With there being so many different languages with various characteristics in the world, we should expect to find significant and formidable barriers in language and thought for effective communication and understanding.

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis (con’t)

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To examine how language affects the way people view the world one can look at the words used in certain languages for certain things.

For example, various cultures have different ways of dividing the color spectrum, thereby illustrating that they view the world differently.

Language affecting our View

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Color Spectrum

EnglishEnglish

ShonaShona

BassaBassa

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Each culture has certain items which are very salient (important) to that culture.

Japanese: many words for fish and sea products.

Some names of a fish change as they grow. English “seaweed” - Japanese nori, wakam

e, konbu, mozuku, hijiki Different words for rice depending on if it is r

aw or cooked and how it is served. Raw uncooked rice - kome Cooked rice served in a bowl - gohan Cooked rice served on a plate - raisu

Culturally Salient Words

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nori

Japanese Seaweed

konbu

hijiki

wakame

mozuku

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kome

Japanese Names for Rice

gohan raisu

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English: many words for types of meat, ways to cut, and ways to cook.

Culturally Salient Words (con’t)

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Beef Parts

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Beef Skeleton

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Angus Chiangus PinzgauerBarzona Devon Red AngusBeefalo Gelbvieh Red PollBeefmaster Hereford, Horned SalersBelgian Blue Hereford, Polled Santa GertrudisBelted Galloway Limousin Scotch HighlandBlonde D'Aquitaine Maine Anjou SenepolBrahman Marchigiana ShorthornBrangus Murray Grey SimmentalCharolais Normande South DevonChianina Parthenais Tarentaise

Texas Longhorn

Beef Cattle Breeds (33)

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Ayshire Brown Swiss Guernsey Holstein Jersey Milking Shorthorn

Dairy Cattle Breeds (6)

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Some words and phrases are so connected to the language and culture that they are used, that they are difficult to translate into another language.

English: fair play, privacy or independence Japanese: filled with language that humbles t

he speaker and raises the level of the person being spoken to.

No single verb for “lock” - must say “close with a key.” (kagi de shimeru)

Language-Culture Connection

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Each language associates certain words with certain ideas or concepts.

Activity: Write down the first words that come to mind in the order that you think of them, for the word you will see next.

Language-Culture Connection (con’t)

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marriage

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Trilingual study - “Marriage”

Americansequality sharinglove togetherness

Frenchpassion sexuality

Japanesechildren familyend-of-the-line pessimistic

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baby husband banzai independence bridal party life bride knife cake married lifeceremony name changechild partner’s pare

ntsdowry proposedress ringengagement ring shotgun wedd

inggroom wedding dres

shappy wifehoneymoon

Survey of Japanese Univ. StudentsMale Female

bouquetcakechildchurchcongratulationsdivorceflowerhoneymoonJune brideresponsibilityringtearswedding dresswedding receptionwhite