We all know that understanding a language involves not only knowledge of grammar, phonology, and lexis, but also certain features and characteristics of the culture. Some authors mention different aspects of teaching and learning culture as a basis of learning language and they should be taken into consideration when they are teaching foreign language in order to motivate their students. Besides, culture associations that are part of language, as well as the socio-cultural background of the participants in teaching and learning environment, ultimately affect how and how well the language is learnt. This is due to the fact that a part of foreign language learning is rooted in culturally-influenced use of language and sociolinguistic rules that underlie it, Albertini suggests that an examination of assumption is especially important for teachers of students from non-dominant culture (that is student from non-Eurocentric, non-English background) because their school achievement typically falls below that of dominant culture students. Therefore, here we can have some opinions towards the importance of teaching foreign language culture along with teaching structures.
THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT! Ever since the dawn of time, language has been a key asset in the evolution of culture and humanity. Culture can be explained as connection built upon language and civilization, which language is practiced by civilization to give or exchange ideas of some kind. Culture and language are both essentials for one another. Both culture and language rely on each other, because both impact one another.
Culture plays an important role in Language Learning . Language learners also culture learners. There is relationship between culture and language. Culture is the characteristics of people, religion, habits, music, clothes, holidays, communications, greetings of different countries and etc. Every country has its own culture which is connected with their history.
In other words language is important as it allows people to express their thoughts as well as beliefs. Language does not necessarily define one's identity and identity does not define language, however it does affect it. Depending on how many languages people know, they are able to decide on what language they want to use in order to communicate with other communities according to their identities.One's identity defines and regulates the use of language and not the contrary.
Languages are complex because they are made up of many components. Some components include the culture, meaning, and interpretation. The way people understand language has to do mostly with their culture and their understanding of what is being said. Also, depending upon where someone is raised, the pronunciation of certain words can be different and therefore it influences the understanding. My goal in this paper is to demonstrate that language and culture are intertwined.
Chapter I Introduction Definitions of Language Language means a lot to the human society. Language has made our life civilised. Language gives identity to the people and it also represents the culture of a particular region and its people. Raj Paul Kaur states about the connection between language and culture as: “It is a widely accepted sociolinguistic fact that the language and culture are related. In fact, a colleague of mine, Dr. Hamzah Al-omar of the University of Jordan, has commented to me many times that language and culture are synonyms”(Raj pal, 2006, p. ).
Initially, I had a narrow idea of teaching/learning English language as just about vocabulary and grammar rules. But this course has given me a wider perspective of looking at it and I have come to a realisation that the cultural aspect of learning English or any other language is the most important part that needs to be developed in a language class. As studies show that language and culture are inseparable; none of each can exist without the other. Since language is closely linked to culture, it is impossible to learn a language without its culture. Therefore, it is imperative for a teacher to have a deep understanding of the language he is teaching and be aware of the importance of its culture.
It is the culture that forms the language, while the culture is impacted and influenced by language. That make the language the medium of the culture. Moreover, The culture and language shape the person identity. That is the importance of the language and culture to the individuals. Every human being is born in a similar way and bound to experience similar life stages.
A language is a particular code, which we operate through the possession of the faculty of speech, and it is important to note that languages have underlying structural rules that make meaningful communication possible. Similarly, there exist six functions of language, as put forward by the Russian-American linguist
Language, as a main means of communication, plays a very important role because it helps us communicate and interact with each other. By the use of sounds and conventional symbols, we create language, a communication by word of mouth. A language lives for as long as people use it as a native language. English language is the most important language around the world. It is spoken as a first language in many countries and as an international language all around the world.