Theories in Language and Culture

Language and Culture

• Language and culture are inseparable, as language is closely related to culture
• However, language and culture can also be seen as independent, as speech can be used to exchange information unrelated to culture
• Alternatively, culture and language can be seen as partly interconnected

Kramsch's Theory

• Language and culture are related in three ways:
  • Ways of doing things and perceptions can be manifested through the use of words, conveying cultural reality
  • People create meaning in daily activities and experiences through language, personifying cultural reality
  • The context of communication embodies cultural reality, and speakers distinguish themselves using language as their identity

Culture as Part of Language

• Language is a non-instinctive method of communicating ideas, emotions, and desires through voluntarily produced symbols (Sapir, 1921)
• Language is a part of culture and epidermal behavior (Risgar, 2006)
• Language fulfills various functions, including maintaining social relationships, expressing needs, and communicating information

Kramsch's Language Functions

• Language is the primary vehicle of communication
• Language reflects and shapes both individual personality and cultural history
• Language makes possible the growth, transmission, and continuity of culture and societies

Language, Thought, and Culture

• Benjamin Lee Whorf's theory suggests that language influences our thoughts and perception of the world
• The example of the word "snow" illustrates how different languages can shape our understanding of the same concept
• Similarly, the Cebuano language has multiple words for "eat," reflecting cultural practices and values

Culture and Its Elements

• Culture is learned through social interaction and is not innate
• Words, language, and cultural symbols (e.g., epics, myths, and stories) connect people and help form culture
• Rituals, beliefs, values, and other elements of culture include overall patterns of behavior, literature, arts, and products of human work and thought

Vygotsky's Theory

• Social interactions between people are essential for acquiring knowledge and language development (Vygotsky)
• Every culture has specific dynamics for social transactions, influencing language and knowledge acquisition

Piaget's Theory

• Children are born with a basic structure for cognition and language (Piaget)
• As children mature, their built-in structure adjusts, allowing them to learn complex language and higher-order concepts
• Children create meaning from verbal and non-verbal interactions, shaping their understanding of the world