The Role of Culture in Language Learning Everybody knows that language is very important in our life. It helps us to communicate with people. Especially we can see it when we learn a new foreign language. To learn foreign languages are meant that to know about their culture and nation. Culture plays an important role in Language Learning .
social norms, culture, mentality, hidden intentions and pragmatic elements, such as tone, intonation, facial expressions gestures, etc. All of them form a context of situation in which the language was used and we will not give adequate interpretation of the language without them. So, the universe of discourse which is the total context of facts, things, relations , ideas , etc., implied or assumed in a given discussion or discourse is very important when analyzing meanings .The complete meaning of a written or spoken discourse can be fully understood from the context rather than the sentence alone . It is also understood by examining the
1.1 Introduction The study of “cross cultural communication” is a great example of linguistic theory and how it’s applied. Researchers are often drawn towards this area of study for its vast significance; “depending on the culture, the people, and the personal relationships throughout the world.” This is further studied to interpret sentences beyond its linguistically stated sentences. This is in turn done by observing the interactions one has, the habits it instills, and “expectations of how to show what is meant by what is said. The form of communication used over the years is “language”. It is the vital way of communication performed among humans, has an important role in “defining and expressing the world that is around us.” It is how we send out a message to other people.
They makes us conform to the standards and ideologies that are reinforced in society. Ideology is part of a system of belief that a culture produces in order to function is a certain way. They are produced and affirmed through the social institutions in a given society Cavallaro (2001:76) says that ideology can be defined in 2 ways; neutrally, as ideas without political connotations; and critically, as ideas in which people categorise each other within a socio-historical and economic
Meaning is determined by the speaker’s intention as well as interpretation. It is undeniable that meaning is directly connected to context and context is remarkably based on culture. As we can see, pragmatics (the study of language in context) plays an essential role in language communication. Likewise Professor J. Cummins, language and its comprehension is undoubtedly linked to interpersonal cues, such as intonation, gestures, and facial expressions (1994). That is why it is necessary an awareness of culture target in teaching a language.
In other words, the meaning of the symbols is developed through human interaction and communication. As a result of this, human interaction is a vital part of society and reality. For instance, by communicating and using language these symbols and their meanings go through an interpretive process in which reality is constructed. Symbolic interaction also states that individuals develop self-concepts through the interaction with others. Self-concepts are an individual 's perception of their own actions, potential, and distinctive characteristics.
In order to participate in a culture, it is necessary to adhere to these behaviours , i.e , one should know the cultural norms and rules of the social group and how to possess them in order to belong to this group. Likewise, Goodenough (1957) writes that " society’s culture consists of whatever it is one has to know or believe in order to operate in a manner acceptable to its members" ( as cited in Wardhaugh, 2002, p.219). 1.2.2.2. Language and culture Language and culture are intimately connected and interwined. Wardhaugh (1998) argues that language is a bearer of culture and understanding the norms of a given culture is the key to learn its language (as cited in Soori & Sherafat, 2015).
Society expresses the world view in their language and world view can be shaped by the culture and language that is common in particular society. Language is applicable in a given society to express and sustain culture and cultural associations that exist in a given society. These deeply interrelated features of language and culture gives me a base to my essay to show how language express culture and culture governs how we use language. WE may say that Language is what the members of a particular society speak. However, speech in almost any society can take many very different forms, and just what forms we should choose to discuss when we attempt to describe the language of a society may prove to be a contentious matter.
It is “language” in the broadest sense, language working in the world & including those who make language as well as that of which language is made. It is important to note, then, that we (as conventional beings) are embodied by cultural metaphor. We are metaphoric creatures, created by culture. On the other hand, we (as creative cultural beings) embody our cultural metaphors. As artists, scientists, mystics, we make & re-make those metaphors & thus society
Through language people demonstrate and form their identities . Discourse is a significant element that shows and construct the characteristics of the sociocultural context and its analysis may show how language is used within a particular group , organization , culture or society ( Van Dijk 1997). Moreover , discourse has its vital role since it becomes a medium which is used to convey ideologies in a persuasive manner ( Van Dijk, 1997).The ideology refer to the person and how he is a part in a group . What does he do and why , what distinguishes the member and what is his social position . These concepts serve as markers of the communal interests and the individual practices , as well as the knowledge shared by the community ( Van Dijk ,1997 ) .