er 3

a p t
Ch son 2
Le s
The Basis of Culture
# Language & Culture
Lesson 3.2-Page -72

SYMBOLS,
LANGUAGE AND
CULTURE
How do symbols and language
define culture?
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE PICTURE
Lesson 3.2-Page -72

SYMBOLS,
LANGUAGE AND
CULTURE
How do symbols and language
define culture?
 Transmission of Culture:
Creation and transmission of culture depends heavily on
symbols and language

“When I use a word, it means

exactly what I
choose it to mean---neither
more nor less.”
Symbols range from physical objects to
sounds, smells and tastes.

■ Clapping in the U.S. is a sign of appreciation but in

Latin America, it is a sign of disapproval
■ The Swastika is a symbol of “good fortune” for some
people but has come to symbolize hatred for Jewish
people.
Q1. What are examples of language symbols?
It represents the thing that is meant when the word is spoken.

For example, the word "bread" isn't actual bread, but it

represents bread like a symbol so that other people can
understand what a person is talking about.
Language frees humans from the limits of
time and place.

■ The Wright brothers successful

flight did not come only from their
efforts but from other’s writings
on principles of flight.
Equipped with language, people can pass on their
experiences, ideas and knowledge to others.

Time and repetition may be used so that a child can

learn safety without falling down a stairwell or
burning themselves.

Eating, patriotism, and staying awake in class are

all behaviors that are taught
Both the creation and the
transmission of culture, known
as cultural transmission, depend
heavily on the use of symbols.
 Examples from Society
■ When Christian missionaries went to Asia,
they were shocked when the Chinese had no
word for sin.
■ Africans and Polynesians had no word or
name for a single all powerful god
■ The Piraha tribe in Brazil had no word to
communicate anything larger than two
 Exposure
■ When you encounter New words in Mr. Dilks’Life
new words or a new Sushi
language your
Texting
perception changes
Fajitas
Cell phone
Skype
Facebooking
Lap top
Q2. What do we understand by symbol?

Things that stand for or represent something else is known as symbol.

Symbols range from physical objects to sounds, smells, and tastes
Q3 Fill in the blanks:
a). Language frees humans from the limits of time and
_______ (place).

b). Creation and transmission of culture depends

heavily on symbols and _________ (language)

c). The letters of an alphabet symbolize the

__________ (sounds) of a specific spoken language

d). Creation and the transmission of culture, known

as __________ (cultural transmission)
 CONCLUSION

Symbols are the basis of culture. A symbol is an object, word, or action

that stands for something else with no natural relationship that is
culturally defined. Everything one does throughout their life is based
and organized through cultural symbolism. Symbolism is when
something represents abstract ideas or concepts. Some good examples of
symbols/symbolism would be objects, figures, sounds, and colors. For
example in the Hawaiian culture, the performance of a Lua is a symbol
of their land and heritage which is performed through song and
dance [8] .