1. LANGUAGE AND
CULTURE

2. THE IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE
1. Language as a culture carrier;
A language is a communication tool between friends, family, communities,
society, organizations, cultural groups and countries. The knowledge is an
advantage that provides the speaker with an outlook about his surroundings and
gives him the means to portray his thoughts to others.
There are different cultures in the world and it is the language that primarily
distinguishes the differences between the cultures and celebrates its unique
features. The importance of language is that it shapes the thought-process and
perception of how an individual views the world. It also helps to define the
concept of culture in society because culture and language are closely connected.

3. 2. Language as a vehicle for thought;
The importance of language is that it can be used efficiently as a vehicle for our
thoughts. The individual who has been subjected to a specific language from
birth is most probably in the habit of thinking in that language.
The proficiency helps in an undisturbed thought-flow process that can prove a
godsend in both personal and professional life. Remember it is the thoughts that
take shape and are expressed as words, ideas and gestures later on. Without the
thoughts, you will not be able to find a medium for expressing yourself.

4. 3. Language as a means of expression;
There was a time when it was very difficult to express your ideas and make
others understand due to the lack of a common language. Gestures and signs are
well and good but at the end of the day, you need simple words to communicate
your thoughts in a precise manner.
It is also not easy to interpret the signs clearly and correctly and neither can you
feel the emotion or the expression of the speaker without the words. With time
language was created and it proved a blessing for people as proper interaction
and clear communication with the help of a common and shared language
became possible.

5. The importance of language was that with time it became the means of
expression amongst human beings. Remember language opens the minds of
people and makes them aware of their surroundings. It acts as a guiding
force that helps to develop minds, perceptions and of course personality. The
importance of language is that it makes it possible to have a meaningful
conversation with a person. It helps to gather the facts without assumptions
so that a person can understand the actual information and arrive at a
decision.

6. 4. Language opens career opportunities;
People who have a command over the common languages spoken the world
are considered highly educated and hence gain the respect of others in the
global community. The importance of language is that a person who is
proficient in the use of a language that is common and is widely considered
as important and desirable has several career options open for him.

7. 5. Language makes it easy to have social contacts;
One of the major differences between human beings and animals is their ability
to speak their minds effectively with the help of a language. It is a proven fact
that language is one of the main components of civilization and molds an
individual from birth.
A language is a tool that encourages the process of human development. The
child does not know any language at birth but even without formal or informal
training is able to slowly and steadily recognize and understand most things in
the world. Parents, teachers, families, and friends shape the development of a
child with the help of language.

8. WHY IS CULTURE IMPORTANT?
Culture is a reflection of a community or nation;
This makes culture a vital and important determining factor of how the
community reacts, responds, and grows. Culture plays a major role in the
lives of everyone in the society. Culture gives you a sense of belonging,
especially when everyone speaks the same language. Language evolves with
the culture as an intimate product of the way those within the society
communicate.

9. • Culture Provides Stability
It provides stability that, in turn, gives you a feeling of security and safety. For
most people, culture provides them with the same emotional response as they
have for their family. Strangers have an instant connection when they are part of
the same culture. Culture provides a continuity between cities, states, and
regions.
• Culture Can Nurture
In the right kind of culture, people feel nurtured and even loved. They share the
same history and ideologies as those within their community, and this gives
everything unity. It ties them to their ancestry and provides a sensation of
longevity which gives them a feeling of truth and living an authentic life.

10. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LANGUAGE
AND CULTURE
The relationship between language and culture is a complex one. The two are
intertwined. A particular language usually points out to a specific group of
people. When you interact with another language, it means that you are also
interacting with the culture that speaks the language. You cannot
understand one’s culture without accessing its language directly.

11. PARALANGUAGE: THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
Complex is one term that you can use to describe human communication since
paralanguage is used to transmit messages. Paralanguage is specific to a culture, therefore
communication with other ethnic groups can lead to misunderstandings.
When you grow up in a specific society, it is inevitable to learn the glances, gestures, and
little changes in voice or tone and other communication tools to emphasize or alter what
you want to do or say. These specific communication techniques of one culture are learned
mostly by imitating and observing people, initially from parents and immediate relatives
and later from friends and people outside the close family circle.
Body language, which is also known as kinesics, is the most obvious type of paralanguage.
These are the postures, expressions, and gestures used as non-verbal language. However,
it is likewise possible to alter the meaning of various words by changing the character or
tone of the voice

12. HOMOLOGOUS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
The phrase, language is culture and culture is language is often mentioned
when language and culture are discussed. It’s because the two have a
homologous although complex relationship. Language and culture developed
together and influenced each other as they evolved. Using this context, Alfred
L. Krober, a cultural anthropologist from the United States said that culture
started when speech was available, and from that beginning, the enrichment
of either one led the other to develop further.

13. INFLUENCING THE WAY PEOPLE THINK
The principle of linguistic relativity tells us that language directly influences the
way people view the world. Anthropologist-linguist Edward Sapir of the United
States said that the language habits of specific groups of people built the real
world. He further added that no two languages are similar in such a way that
they would represent one society. The world for each society is different. In
analysis, this means that speaking a language means that the person is
assuming a culture. Knowing another culture, based on this principle, is knowing
its particular language. And we need communication to highlight interpretations
and representations of that world. This is why the relationship between language
and culture is essential when learning any new language.

14. TRANSMISSION OF CULTURE AND
LANGUAGE
Language is learned, which means it can be culturally transmitted. Pre-
school children take on their first language from their exposure to random
words they encounter in and out of their homes. When they reach school age,
they learn their first language or another language. If it is the first language,
the children are taught writing and reading, the correct ways to construct
sentences, and how to use formal grammar. However, the child gained initial
knowledge about the essential structure and vocabulary of the first language
before the child started school.

15. THE 5 LANGUAGE TYPES YOU NEED TO
MASTER FOR LEAVING CERT ENGLISH
The Language of Information
The language of information aims to communicate information clearly and
concisely to the reader. Facts are presented in an uncomplicated manner
without an agenda. The tone is objective and impartial, like a journalist
reporting the news. It's also the main style of language used for giving
instructions or orders.

16. The Language of Argument
Argument is the process of trying to convince other people of your point of
view using either evidence or facts. The tone is logical and calm, without
emotion. When using the language of argument, you appeal to someone's
brain rather than their heart in your attempt to sway them. Good
argumentative writing is clear and concise and features verified facts

17. The Language of Persuasion
Persuasion is the process of trying to convince other people of your point of view
using manipulation or appealing to the emotions; appealing to the heart rather
than the head.
Examples can be found in advertising, political speeches, reviews and marketing
journals. The main stylistic features include: an attention-grabbing opening, an
appeal to the emotions - you want to make your audience feel something, the use
of the personal 'I' or 'We' to include the audience, repetition: used to emphasise a
point or create drama

18. The Aesthetic Use of Language
The word 'aesthetic' comes from the Greek, meaning 'concerned with beauty
or the appreciation of beauty' and on the LC course it means writing that
focuses on style as well as substance. Poetry is the ultimate expression of an
aesthetic use of language but you can find examples of it in prose writing
also.