1. Components of Culture: Language

2. Language Defined:
A set of symbols that expresses ideas and allows people to think and communicate with each other.
Can be verbal or nonverbal.

3. Even within one language, confusion is common.
How many interpretations can you think of for these sentences?
“There’s a fork in the road.”
“My neighbor had her second car stolen.”

4. Can you answer these questions?
Why are they called “stands” when they’re made for sitting?
Why it called “after dark” when it’s really “after light?”
Why do “fat chance” and “slim chance” mean the same thing?

5. Understanding language becomes even more challenging for non-native speakers.
“I’m stuffed!”
“Do you have a torch?”
“Are you in college?”

6. Language can also be a source of discrimination.
Language and Gender:
The use of the word “man” in words like chairman and mankind.
Use of the pronouns “he” and “she” affects thinking about gender. For example, nurses and secretaries are usually referred to as “she.”

7. Language can also be an expression of racial and ethnic discrimination.
Some words have more than one meaning and create negative images, such as “blackhearted” or “a black mark on your record.”
Negative words can also become associated with groups, such as referring to Native Americans as “savages.”

8. Language, Race & Ethnicity
The percentage of Americans who do not speak English at home has continued to increase over time.

9. Proverbs are one example of how culture is conveyed through words.
“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.”
“The early bird gets the worm.”
What do these proverbs say about American culture?

10. What do these proverbs mean?
“Lower your voice and strengthen your argument” (Lebanese proverb)
"When the brothers fight to the death, a stranger inherits their father's estate.“ (African proverb)

11. Mexican Proverb “Anda tu camino sin ayuda de vecino.”
“Walk your own road without the help of a neighbor.”

12. To Summarize:
Language is a set of symbols, which allows people to communicate with each other (both verbal and nonverbal)
Language can be a source of discrimination.
Language is a common source of confusion, even among members of the same culture.
Language is a vital means of transmitting culture.