Prepared by: Mohamad Nazm

The Relationship Between Language & Culture

Introduction
When looking into the world the question has always came about, what comes first
the chicken or the egg. This question has never been answered because of the simple
fact that they are strongly connected to each other. And just like this there is a strong
conection between language and culture as well. Language and culture are
intertwined. One cannot define cultural orientations withou citing variations in
language. The purpose of the essay is to clearly distinguish between language and
culture, and the issue of intercultural communication with reference to language.

What is culture?
Culture descirbe variations in values, beliefs, also differenes in the way people
behave (Joseph A. DeVito 2007). Culture encompasses everything that a social group
develops or produces.

Element of culture are not genetically transmitted and as such, they have to be
passed down from one generation the next through communication. This explains why
it is easy to adopte a certain language depending on the shared beliefs, attitudes and
values.

The existence of different culture can be explained using the cultural relativism
approach which stipulates that although cultures tend to vary, none is superior to the
other (Joseph A. DeVito 2007).

Language and its role in culture

Language is one of the chief means of propagating culture, since language permits
communication of highly detailed information. Also, to the extent that languages
differ from each other, they are themselves a component of culture.

However, contrary to what may be a popular belief, the structure of language does
not appear to be linked in any way to any other aspect of culture. In other words, one
cannot guess any independent facts about a culture from the structure of its
language(s).

Language is the first element that helps individual to distinguish cultural orientations
of individuals. Through language we are able to differentiate between languages. The
main functions of language are generally for information purposes and for the
establishment of relationships.
 Different cultures perceive the use of language differently. Whereas an American
regards it as a useful communication tool, a Chinese will use their language to relay
their feelings and to establish relationships.

Role of language in cultural diversity

Intercultural communication refers to communication between people from different
cultural backgrounds. Due to the difference in cultures, there is a high probability that
a message will be misunderstood and distorted.

Difference in languages leads to challengs in the interpretation of for example,

politeness, acts of speech and interaction management. Normally, differences in
languages lead to impediments in understanding. This is due to difference in
perception in as far as values are concerned.

Language shapes our lines of thought and as such, it is the core element that shapes
how people preceive the world. The way people communicate is largely due to their
cultures of origin.

As a result, they are less responsive to the different means of communication that are
not similar to their own values and beliefs (McGregor eta al 2007).

Language further heightens the aspect of accelerating cultural differences as it

openly showcases the variations in communication. In turn, this view tends to impede
negatively on intercultural efforts, thereby having a negative impact on the
communication between individuals of different cultural orientations.

Conclusion
There is need for indiviual to evaluate the usage of language in order to effectively
interpret the shared meanings that are meant to be communicated. It is important
therefore that individuals from a multi cultural context look at each other beyond their
differences in order to enable effective communication.

Reference list
DeVito, J A. (2006) Human communication the basic course, 10 th edition. Boston,
Mass: Pearson / Allyn and Bacon.

https://www.daytranslations.com/blog/language-and-culture/

Jandt, F E. (2007) An introduction to intercultural communication: identities in global

community. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc.
Mohan, T, McGregor, M T, Saunders, H & Archee, S. (2008) Communicating as a
professional. Sydney, Australia: Cengage Learning.

https://www.racismnoway.com.au/about-racism/understanding-racism/the-
importance-of-culture-language-and-identity/

https://www.britannica.com/topic/language/Language-and-culture