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.”
“He shot his mouth off.”
“My neighbor had her second car stolen.”
“The artist painted me on the porch.”

4. These are actual headlines taken from the newspaper.
“Soviet ships collide, one dies.”
“Obesity study seeks larger test group.”
“Safety experts say school bus passengers should be belted.”
“Squad helps dog bite victim.”

5. Can you answer these questions?
Why are they called “stands” when they’re made for sitting?
Why are a “wise man” and “wise guy” opposites?
Why it called “after dark” when it’s really “after light?”

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 North Americans as “savages.”

8. How important is it for members of one country to speak the same language?
How should a society balance respect for individual cultures and a need for unity?

9. Language and Culture Language is an important way to transmit culture.
Through language children learn
about their cultural identity.

10. Proverbs are one example of how culture is conveyed through words.
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.”
“The early bird gets the worm.”
What do these proverbs say about Western culture?

11. 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)‏
“Flies never visit an egg that has no crack.” (Chinese proverb)‏

12. “Marry a man with blistered hands.”
Maori Proverb
“Marry a man with blistered hands.”

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

14. 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.