Lecture 7 Relationship between Language and Culture

Primary ways to send and receive messages Primary ways to send and receive messages Approx. 5,000 different languages Approx. 5,000 different languages 20% written form / 80% only spoken 20% written form / 80% only spoken Language & Culture is a two-way street Language & Culture is a two-way street language influences what we see and think language influences what we see and think what we see and think influences our culture what we see and think influences our culture True fluency in another language depends on True fluency in another language depends on learning cultural context Language & Culture

Language shapes ideas Language shapes ideas Language controls thought & perception Language controls thought & perception We understand and make sense of the world We understand and make sense of the world according to our mother language Languages are limited thereby limiting our view and orientation in the world Languages are limited thereby limiting our view and orientation in the world If true, then language plays a large and important role in culture If true, then language plays a large and important role in culture Many languages = Many views Many languages = Many views Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Various cultures have different ways of dividing the col or spectrum, thereby illustrating that they view the worl d differently. Various cultures have different ways of dividing the col or spectrum, thereby illustrating that they view the worl d differently. Language affecting our View English Shona Bassa

Each culture has certain items which are Each culture has certain items which are very salient (important) to that culture Japanese: many words for sea products Japanese: many words for sea products Some names of a fish change as they grow Some names of a fish change as they grow English “seaweed” - Japanese nori, wakame, English “seaweed” - Japanese nori, wakame, konbu, mozuku, hijiki Culturally Salient Words nori konb u hijiki wakam e mozuk u

kome gohan raisu Culturally Salient Words Different words for rice depending on condition or serv ing method Different words for rice depending on condition or serv ing method Raw uncooked rice – kome Raw uncooked rice – kome Cooked rice served in a bowl - gohan Cooked rice served in a bowl - gohan Cooked rice served on a plate - raisu Cooked rice served on a plate - raisu

English: many words for types of meat, w ays to cut, and ways to cook. English: many words for types of meat, w ays to cut, and ways to cook. Culturally Salient Words

Beef Parts

Beef Skeleton

Angus Chiangus Pinzgauer Barzona Devon Red Angus Beefalo Gelbvieh Red Poll Beefmaster Hereford, Horned Salers Belgian Blue Hereford, Polled Santa Gertrudis Belted Galloway Limousin Scotch Highland Blonde D'Aquitaine Maine Anjou Senepol Brahman Marchigiana Shorthorn Brangus Murray Grey Simmental Charolais Normande South Devon Chianina Parthenais Tarentaise Texas Longhorn Texas Longhorn Beef Cattle Breeds (33)

Ayshire Ayshire Brown Swiss Brown Swiss Guernsey Guernsey Holstein Holstein Jersey Jersey Milking Shorthorn Milking Shorthorn Dairy Cattle Breeds (6)

Each language associates certain words with c ertain ideas or concepts that are difficult to tran slate Each language associates certain words with c ertain ideas or concepts that are difficult to tran slate English: fair play, privacy or independence English: fair play, privacy or independence Japanese: filled with language that humbles the spe aker and raises the level of the person being spoke n to. Japanese: filled with language that humbles the spe aker and raises the level of the person being spoke n to. Japanese: No single verb for “lock” - must say “clos e with a key.” (kagi de shimeru) Japanese: No single verb for “lock” - must say “clos e with a key.” (kagi de shimeru) Language-Culture Connection

Write down the first words that come to mind in the order that you think of them, for the word you will see next Activity

marriage

Trilingual study - “Marriage” Americans Americans equalitysharing lovetogetherness French French passionsexuality Japanese Japanese childrenfamily end-of-the-linepessimistic

babyhusband banzaiindependence bridal partylife bride knife cakemarried life ceremonyname change childpartner’s parents dowrypropose dressring engagement ring shotgun wedding groomwedding dress happywife honeymoon Survey of Japanese Univ. Students MaleFemale bouquetcakechildchurchcongratulationsdivorceflowerhoneymoon June bride responsibilityringtears wedding dress wedding reception white