Language is so closely related to culture since it is used to convey culture and cultural ties. It is almost impossible to understand a culture without using language to teach and educate others about it. There are various topics that relate to both language and culture which explain why they are interdependent and connected. Verbal performing arts, bilingualism, and political language are just some examples of such topics. These topics will be discussed to demonstrate the close ties between language and culture.
Movies, television, and theater are verbal performing arts that have become expressions of the current culture of society. When there are changes in culture, these media platforms change to fit the current culture, but there are times …show more content…
Bilinguals have to learn about both cultures of the languages they speak to properly interact with others of that culture. Failing to learn about the culture can cause unintentional confusion and insult when using the language in the wrong circumstances and context. Carstens (2015 54:16-26) discusses the importance of teaching bilingual students the Chinese culture along with the language, and the insufficiency in only focusing on language. While learning how to create a stable bilingual program in public schools, the article explains the challenges of figuring how to integrate the English language, the Mandarin language, and the Chinese culture flawlessly into the program to ensure that students are ready to immerse themselves in the bilingual world. “Cultural knowledge allowed students to use the language in appropriate and meaningful ways.” (Carstens 2015:21) When someone proclaims that they are bilingual, it means that they do not only speak that language but also understand the culture. It means that they are not only able to respond to another speaker with the correct responses and mannerisms, but that they respect the culture of the language that they know and speak. Bilinguals are also inherently more accepting of other languages and cultures because they recognize that they are the keys to shaping …show more content…
Political correctness and the avoidance of taboos are very important during campaigning for an important position in office. During the 2008 United States Presidential elections, each candidate that was running had taboos that they would try to avoid, but it was in the interest of the other candidates to bring up those issues. As a culture that reveres the truth, Americans would take into account the taboos used by the candidates as a way to delegitimize the candidate involved with the taboo. The use of taboos was not the only thing to be used by the candidates. “To addressers [the candidates] attach such incendiary metapragmatic descriptors as ‘flip-flopping,’ ‘pandering,’ ‘poll-watching,’ Issue ‘dodging,’ opposed to which is a parallel set that includes ‘conviction’ and ‘straight talk.’” (Lempert 2004: 194) When words with negative connotations are being used against politicians in a society where the importance of truth is a part of the culture, it can hinder the chances at a political career that the politicians hope to have.
Culture and language are intertwined in a way that can be understood if there are people who decide to pay attention. If there is no passion to understand and learn about a culture, then learning the language of that culture can be very hard and boring. Learning or teaching a language without any cultural
Movies, television, and theater are verbal performing arts that have become expressions of the current culture of society. When there are changes in culture, these media platforms change to fit the current culture, but there are times …show more content…
Bilinguals have to learn about both cultures of the languages they speak to properly interact with others of that culture. Failing to learn about the culture can cause unintentional confusion and insult when using the language in the wrong circumstances and context. Carstens (2015 54:16-26) discusses the importance of teaching bilingual students the Chinese culture along with the language, and the insufficiency in only focusing on language. While learning how to create a stable bilingual program in public schools, the article explains the challenges of figuring how to integrate the English language, the Mandarin language, and the Chinese culture flawlessly into the program to ensure that students are ready to immerse themselves in the bilingual world. “Cultural knowledge allowed students to use the language in appropriate and meaningful ways.” (Carstens 2015:21) When someone proclaims that they are bilingual, it means that they do not only speak that language but also understand the culture. It means that they are not only able to respond to another speaker with the correct responses and mannerisms, but that they respect the culture of the language that they know and speak. Bilinguals are also inherently more accepting of other languages and cultures because they recognize that they are the keys to shaping …show more content…
Political correctness and the avoidance of taboos are very important during campaigning for an important position in office. During the 2008 United States Presidential elections, each candidate that was running had taboos that they would try to avoid, but it was in the interest of the other candidates to bring up those issues. As a culture that reveres the truth, Americans would take into account the taboos used by the candidates as a way to delegitimize the candidate involved with the taboo. The use of taboos was not the only thing to be used by the candidates. “To addressers [the candidates] attach such incendiary metapragmatic descriptors as ‘flip-flopping,’ ‘pandering,’ ‘poll-watching,’ Issue ‘dodging,’ opposed to which is a parallel set that includes ‘conviction’ and ‘straight talk.’” (Lempert 2004: 194) When words with negative connotations are being used against politicians in a society where the importance of truth is a part of the culture, it can hinder the chances at a political career that the politicians hope to have.
Culture and language are intertwined in a way that can be understood if there are people who decide to pay attention. If there is no passion to understand and learn about a culture, then learning the language of that culture can be very hard and boring. Learning or teaching a language without any cultural