Transcript Language - msjilekhumangeo

EQ3:
How does
language
affect
culture?*
Bell Ringer:
1. List at least three words that are in use
today that did not exist ten years ago.
– What does this tell you about today’s
society?
– How does language affect your culture?
– How does your culture affect your
language?
Language Defined:
A
set of symbols
and sounds that
expresses ideas
and allows
people to think
and
communicate
with each other.

Official language:
one that is used by
government for
conducting
business and
publishing
documents

Literary tradition: a
system of written
communication
Methods of Communication

Verbal
– Words
– Voice

Nonverbal
– Gestures
– Postures
– Facial Expressions
– Eye Contact
– Personal
Appearance
– Touch
– Space
Patterns in Cultural Differences
in Communication
Communication Style
2. Attitudes toward conflict
3. Decision making process
4. Approaches to learning
1.
Role of Language and Culture
 Language
is an
important way to
transmit culture.
 Through
language
children learn
about their
cultural identity.
Proverbs are one example of how
culture is conveyed through words.
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.”
 “The early bird gets the worm.”

What do these proverbs say about
American culture?
What do these proverbs mean?
In your notebooks, you will read over the
proverbs and jot down:
 Explanation of proverb
 What does it tell us about the culture?
African Proverb

“Abafugibwa ngabo:
atannagikwatamu ye
agitenda obwangu.”

“Those who are ruled
are like the shield:
who never got hold of
it, thinks it light.
Those who don't rule
think ruling is easy.”
Maori Proverb

“E moa i tangata
ringa raupa.”

“Marry a man with
blistered hands.”
Mexican Proverb

“Anda tu camino sin
ayuda de vecino.”

“Walk your own road
without the help of a
neighbor.”
Evolution of Language
BR: How can language
change over time?
How can language change over
time?
Globalization: “Spanglish”, “Ebonics”
 Geography: When speakers are isolated
from place of origin
 History: Conquered nations absorb
dominant language
 Technology: TV, Internet, pop culture

– Exception to the rule: Words that are used
more often in everyday language evolve
slowly (like numbers)
Even within one language,
confusion is common.

How many interpretations can you think of
for these sentences?
“There’s a fork in the road.”
 “He shot his mouth off.”
 “Ham sandwich” ??????

Language can also be a source of
discrimination.
Language and Gender:
The use of the word “man”
in words like chairman
and mankind.
Use of the pronouns “he”
and “she” affects
thinking about gender.
For example, nurses and
secretaries are usually
referred to as “she.”

Language can also be an expression
of racial and ethnic discrimination.
Some words have more than one meaning
and create negative images, such as
“blackhearted” or “a black mark on your
record.”
 Negative words can also become
associated with groups, such as referring
to Native Americans as “savages.”

How important is it for members of one
country to speak the same language?

How should a society
balance respect for
individual cultures
and a need for unity?
Language, Race & Ethnicity

The percentage of
Americans who do not
speak English at
home has continued
to increase over time.
90
80
70
60
English
50
40
Not
English
30
20
10
0
1990
To Summarize:
Language is a set of symbols, which allows
people to communicate with each other (both
verbal and nonverbal)
 Language can be a source of discrimination.
 Language is a common source of confusion,
even among members of the same culture.
 Language is a vital means of transmitting
culture.

Exit Slip
1. What are some examples of methods
of communication? Name two verbal
and two nonverbal examples.
2. How can language change over
time?
3. What is the role of language within a
culture?