Components of Components of Culture:Culture:

LanguageLanguage

Language Defined:Language Defined:

A set of symbols A set of symbols that expresses that expresses ideas and allows ideas and allows people to think and people to think and communicate with communicate with each other.each other.

Can be verbal or Can be verbal or nonverbal.nonverbal.

Even within one language, Even within one language, confusion is common.confusion is common.

How many interpretations can you How many interpretations can you think of for these sentences?think of for these sentences?

““There’s a fork in the road.”There’s a fork in the road.” ““He shot his mouth off.”He shot his mouth off.” ““My neighbor had her second car My neighbor had her second car

stolen.”stolen.” ““The artist painted me on the porch.”The artist painted me on the porch.”

These are actual headlines These are actual headlines taken from the newspaper. taken from the newspaper.

““Soviet ships collide, one dies.”Soviet ships collide, one dies.” ““Obesity study seeks larger test group.”Obesity study seeks larger test group.” ““Safety experts say school bus Safety experts say school bus

passengers should be belted.”passengers should be belted.” ““Squad helps dog bite victim.”Squad helps dog bite victim.” ““Drunk gets nine months in violin case.”Drunk gets nine months in violin case.” ““Police begin campaign to run down Police begin campaign to run down

jaywalkers.”jaywalkers.”

Can you answer these Can you answer these questions?questions?

Why are they called “stands” when Why are they called “stands” when they’re made for sitting?they’re made for sitting?

Why are a “wise man” and “wise Why are a “wise man” and “wise guy” opposites?guy” opposites?

Why it called “after dark” when it’s Why it called “after dark” when it’s really “after light?”really “after light?”

Why do “fat chance” and “slim Why do “fat chance” and “slim chance” mean the same thing?chance” mean the same thing?

Understanding language becomes Understanding language becomes even more challenging for non-even more challenging for non-

native speakers.native speakers. What do these “Kiwi” expressions What do these “Kiwi” expressions

mean?mean? ““Spit the dummy”Spit the dummy” ““I’m stuffed!”I’m stuffed!” ““Do you have a torch?”Do you have a torch?” ““Are you in college?”Are you in college?” ““He’s had to do some hard yakka!”He’s had to do some hard yakka!” ““Want some shark and tatties?”Want some shark and tatties?”

Language can also be a source Language can also be a source of discrimination.of discrimination.

Language and Gender:Language and Gender:

The use of the word The use of the word “man” in words like “man” in words like chairman and chairman and mankind.mankind.

Use of the pronouns Use of the pronouns “he” and “she” affects “he” and “she” affects thinking about gender. thinking about gender. For example, nurses For example, nurses and secretaries are and secretaries are usually referred to as usually referred to as “she.”“she.”

Language can also be an Language can also be an expression of racial and ethnic expression of racial and ethnic

discrimination.discrimination. Some words have more than one Some words have more than one

meaning and create negative meaning and create negative images, such as “blackhearted” or “a images, such as “blackhearted” or “a black mark on your record.”black mark on your record.”

Negative words can also become Negative words can also become associated with groups, such as associated with groups, such as referring to Native Americans as referring to Native Americans as “savages.”“savages.”

How important is it for members of How important is it for members of one country to speak the same one country to speak the same

language?language?

How should a How should a society balance society balance respect for respect for individual cultures individual cultures and a need for and a need for unity?unity?

Language, Race & EthnicityLanguage, Race & Ethnicity

The percentage of The percentage of Americans who do Americans who do not speak English not speak English at home has at home has continued to continued to increase over time.increase over time.

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English

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Language and CultureLanguage and Culture

Language is an Language is an important way to important way to transmit culture.transmit culture.

Through language Through language children learnchildren learn

about their cultural about their cultural identity.identity.

Proverbs are one example of Proverbs are one example of how culture is conveyed how culture is conveyed

through words.through words. ““A bird in the hand is worth two in A bird in the hand is worth two in

the bush.”the bush.” ““Cleanliness is next to Godliness.”Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” ““The early bird gets the worm.”The early bird gets the worm.”

What do these proverbs say about American culture?

What do these proverbs What do these proverbs mean?mean?

““Lower your voice and strengthen Lower your voice and strengthen your argument” (Lebanese proverb)your argument” (Lebanese proverb)

"When the brothers fight to the "When the brothers fight to the death, a stranger inherits their death, a stranger inherits their father's estate.“ (African proverb)father's estate.“ (African proverb)

““Flies never visit an egg that has no Flies never visit an egg that has no crack.” (Chinese proverb)crack.” (Chinese proverb)

African ProverbAfrican Proverb

““Abafugibwa Abafugibwa ngabo: ngabo: atannagikwatamu atannagikwatamu ye agitenda ye agitenda obwangu.” obwangu.”

““Those who are Those who are ruled are like the ruled are like the shield: who never shield: who never got hold of it, got hold of it, thinks it light. thinks it light. Those who don't Those who don't rule think ruling is rule think ruling is easy.”easy.”

Maori ProverbMaori Proverb

““E moa i tangata E moa i tangata ringa raupa.”ringa raupa.”

““Marry a man with Marry a man with blistered hands.”blistered hands.”

Mexican ProverbMexican Proverb

““Anda tu camino Anda tu camino sin ayuda de sin ayuda de vecino.”vecino.”

““Walk your own Walk your own road without the road without the help of a help of a neighbor.”neighbor.”

To Summarize:To Summarize:

Language is a set of symbols, which allows Language is a set of symbols, which allows people to communicate with each other people to communicate with each other (both verbal and nonverbal)(both verbal and nonverbal)

Language can be a source of Language can be a source of discrimination.discrimination.

Language is a common source of Language is a common source of confusion, even among members of the confusion, even among members of the same culture.same culture.

Language is a vital means of transmitting Language is a vital means of transmitting culture.culture.