Research And Report Writing In The Previous Class Assessment

Research And Report Writingin The Previous Class Assessment I Chose L

Research and Report Writing in the previous class assessment, I chose language and culture as the research area I would like to do. Language and culture are an area of interest. As I had discussed earlier, language and culture are two different things. Language is a method or principle that human beings use during communication. Culture is basically the norms and customs of a particular group of people or a society.

Language is one of the elements in a culture. The connection between language and culture is intertwined. Language is a key factor in distinguishing a particular group of people. It also serves as the primary means to access and understand other cultures. When you start learning another language, you are engaging with that particular culture. The main objective of this paper is to explore the relationship between culture and language, including their different types of interactions.

According to Kim (2018), there are various forms of communication within a culture or society. One notable aspect is paralanguage, which refers to non-lexical components of speech such as intonation, pitch, speed, hesitation noises, gestures, and facial expressions. These non-verbal cues carry meaning that varies across cultures. For example, gestures can be interpreted differently; what signifies acceptance in one culture might cause misunderstanding in another. These gestures are typically learned through socialization within the community or society.

Language and gestures are learned through interaction with others from a young age. This shared communication forms a unifying tool across cultures, but paralanguage varies significantly among different groups. For example, a gesture greeting in one community may be perceived as offensive in another, potentially leading to conflicts or even ethnic tensions. Such differences underline the importance of understanding cultural context in communication.

Sharifan (2014) notes that paralanguage includes factors such as speech rate and intonation. Bilingual individuals, for example, often notice differences between their languages, including variations in speech speed and tone. Swiderski (2013) emphasizes that some languages evoke a sense of speed or rhythm that listeners can perceive even without understanding the words—these perceptual differences influence language learning difficulty and intercultural communication.

There is a profound connection suggesting that "language is culture and culture is language," highlighting their mutual dependence. Developed over millennia, both language and culture predate written history and remain fundamentally linked. Without knowledge of one, understanding of the other becomes difficult. Essentially, cultural customs are transmitted through language, and language reflects the norms and values of a society.

Jiang (2020) emphasizes that language and culture influence perception and cognition. For instance, individuals raised in different cultural environments develop distinct ways of viewing the world, shaped by their language and cultural practices. A German person, for example, may perceive situations differently than a Chinese person, owing to differences in cultural frameworks. Jiang’s assertion is backed by the idea that language shapes thought processes.

Contrastingly, Battiste (2020) argues that cultural perceptions are not solely determined by language or cognition but are also framed by social practices and shared experiences. Both Jiang and Battiste highlight the complex bidirectional influence between language and culture, which shapes individual perceptions, identity, and social interaction.

In today’s globalized world, intercultural exchanges are frequent, facilitated by travel and digital communication. Hojjier (2016) notes that language barriers continue to lead to misunderstandings, especially when gestures are misinterpreted across cultures. Kramsch (2014) states that language is transmitted early in life through social interactions and education, and even preverbal children learn basic gestures and cues from those around them, which are integral to cultural transmission.

Furthermore, cultural and linguistic differences are influenced by social, geographical, and functional factors. Shanahan (2017) highlights that geographic regions may develop distinct dialects or languages, while social distinctions such as age, gender, and occupation contribute to language variation within communities. Despite these differences, shared cultural practices and beliefs serve as unifying elements within communities, reinforcing social cohesion.

Hoffman (1989) conducted a study on Iran and the USA, concluding that language and culture are fundamental components of human life that explicitly and implicitly guide interactions. While individual differences exist, shared language and cultural practices foster collective identity and social integration.

The relationship between language and culture continues to be a critical subject in the fields of linguistics, anthropology, and intercultural communication. Understanding this relationship enhances cross-cultural competence and promotes effective communication. It also emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity in both personal and professional contexts.

In sum, language and culture are deeply interconnected and mutually reinforcing. They shape perceptions, influence social interactions, and serve as vital tools for identity and community building. Comprehending their complex relationship is essential for fostering intercultural understanding, reducing conflicts, and promoting social cohesion.

Paper For Above instruction

Language and culture form the foundation of human communication and societal development. The interaction between these two elements influences perceptions, behaviors, and social cohesion within communities. This paper explores the intricate relationship between language and culture, emphasizing their mutual dependence and influence on individual identity and intercultural understanding.

Language functions not merely as a tool for communication but as a vessel carrying cultural norms, values, and information. As Kim (2018) highlights, paralanguage and non-verbal cues such as gestures, facial expressions, and speech intonations are culturally specific, shaping meaning and interaction. These cues often serve as signals that are learned through socialization, deeply embedded in cultural practices and shared experiences from childhood. For example, gestures that are welcoming in one society might be offensive in another, illustrating how cultural context shapes non-verbal communication (Sharifan, 2014).

The mutual influence of language and culture extends to cognition and perception. Jiang (2020) discusses how language shapes thought processes, affecting how individuals interpret their environment. For instance, the vocabulary and structures of a language influence how its speakers categorize and interpret experiences. This linguistic relativity supports the idea that cultural worldview is embedded in language, shaping perceptions and attitudes. Conversely, Battiste (2020) emphasizes that social practices and shared norms also influence perceptions, suggesting that understanding a culture involves more than language alone but includes participation within cultural contexts.

In the modern era, globalization and technological advances have increased intercultural exchanges, making effective cross-cultural communication more critical than ever. Hojjier (2016) notes that linguistic misunderstandings often arise from differences in gestures, speech rhythms, or contextual cues. Kramsch (2014) posits that early childhood socialization through gestures and language forms the basis for cultural transmission, ensuring continuity of shared practices. These processes contribute to a collective cultural identity, reinforced through language use within communities.

Geographical, social, and functional factors further diversify language within and across communities. Shanahan (2017) points out that dialects and sociolects emerge from geographical separation and social stratification. Age, gender, and occupation influence linguistic variation, creating subcultures within broader communities. Despite such differences, common cultural beliefs unify groups, fostering social cohesion and group identity (Hoffman, 1989).

Overall, the relationship between language and culture is complex and bidirectional. Language reflects cultural values, and cultural norms are transmitted through language. Understanding this symbiosis enhances intercultural competence, helping bridge communication gaps and reducing misunderstandings. Efforts to appreciate and respect linguistic and cultural diversity contribute to social harmony and global cooperation.

References

• Battiste, M. (2020). Language and culture in modern society. Reclaiming Indigenous voice and vision.
• Elmes, D. (2017). The relationship between language and culture. Annals of Fitness and Sports Sciences, 46(3), 11-18.
• Hoffman, D. M. (1989). Language and culture acquisition among Iranians in the United States. Anthropology & Education Quarterly, 20(2).
• Hojjier, S. (2016). Language in culture; conference on the interrelations of language and other aspects of culture.
• Jiang, W. (2020). The relationship between culture and language. ELT journal, 54(4).
• Kim, L. S. (2018). Exploring the relationship between language, culture and identity. GEMA Online® Journal of Language Studies, 3(2).
• Kramsch, C. (2014). Language and culture. AILA review, 27(1), 30-55.
• Shanahan, D. (2017). Articulating the relationship between language, literature, and culture: Toward a new agenda for foreign language teaching and research. The Modern Language Journal, 81(2).
• Sharifian, F. (Ed.). (2014). The Routledge handbook of language and culture. Routledge.
• Swiderski, R. M. (2013). Teaching Language, Learning Culture.