Language and Culture

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Language and Culture
One’s culture affects almost all of one’s communication behaviors. I discovered an article written by
Margaret Cote, “Language Reflects Culture,” that reveals many of the differences between the
Saulteaux language and the English language. Margaret Cote states, “Language determines the way
a person views the world. ” She describes how Indian people view things around them differently then
English speaking people do. Margaret Cote says that she views the world around her in two different
ways depending on what language she is speaking. In this paper I will discuss how attitudes and
behavior are determined by the language one speaks and how language does indeed reflect a
culture. One’s culture determines the way one processes information and how one copes with reality.
Concepts and objects have frames of reference that differ from culture to culture. The meaning of a
word partly depends on the culture’s historical relation to the concept or object described. When
Margaret Cope returns home the topic of the conversation determines the language she speaks.
Different cultures see the world differently. The Saulteaux people are extremely concerned with
exactness and have different words for we and you, depending on whether they are being inclusive or
exclusive. American culture is not as concerned with exactness and therefore we use the words we
and you differently. Different cultures have different beliefs and values and these are expressed in
their language, whether it be verbal or non-verbal. Many misunderstandings occur in intercultural
communications because many are unaware of these differences. It is important for one to learn the
differences of various cultures for one to understand one’s own identity. It is through knowing about
others that one learns what is truly important to oneself. Language Reflects a Culture Languages
group aspects of reality together. Things that are important to a culture have many groups and words
for those things. Things that are insignificant have fewer groups and words. For example, there are
many different words for car in the English language, because cars are very important to us. In the
Saulteaux language there are many words for snow, because snow is an important factor for them.
Both verbal and non-verbal communication reflects whether or not a culture values individualism or
collectivism. Individualistic cultures value self-expression, speak out to solve problems and are
confrontational when dealing with interpersonal problems. In collectivist cultures people have
unconditional loyalty to the group and use avoidance, and face-saving techniques to solve problems
(Hybels, S. & Weaver, R. (2007). P. 64). Culture determines one’s long-term or short-term orientation.
In cultures with long-term orientation people value tradition, persistence, relationships by status, and
having a sense of shame. In cultures with short-term orientation people do not value tradition as much
because it tends to prevent innovation, nor do they have the same sense of shame or need to save
face (p. 65). Communication between different cultures can be difficult. Many individuals either lack
knowledge of other cultures or are just naive when it comes to dealing with individuals from other
cultures. There are many barriers to intercultural communication, including ethnocentrism,
stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. Ethnocentrism is when one believes one’s own cultural
norms and ways of thinking are superior to all other cultures. Ethnocentrism becomes a barrier to
intercultural communication when one refuses to believe that another culture’s beliefs have any real
value. It prevents one from seeing another’s point of view and greatly hampers empathy (p. 66).
Stereotyping is oversimplifying or distorting views of another culture. Stereotypes categorize and
generalize the information we receive daily. The problem with stereotypes is once they are
established they are difficult to remove. Individuals tend to view things that fit the stereotype rather
than see things that dispute them. This can be a barrier to intercultural communication because if one
believes a negative stereotype about a certain culture they are much less likely to empathize with
them (p. 66). Prejudice is a negative attitude toward a cultural group. These attitudes are usually
based on little or no experience. When one has prejudice feelings towards another cultural group they
do not like them because of some unseen or unproven fact. This greatly hampers intercultural
communication because when one has a prejudice they form an opinion about a person before they
even get to know them. Stereotypes often lead to prejudice. Getting to know individuals from different
cultures assists one in eliminating prejudice (p. 67). Discrimination takes stereotypes and prejudice
one step further by excluding, avoiding, and distancing oneself from other cultural groups.
Discrimination is a barrier to intercultural communication because it does not allow interaction
between different cultural groups. When one does not experience interactions with other cultural
groups they are unable to learn about different beliefs and values. In closing, language is a pattern
that ascertains the shape our thoughts and experiences take. One’s culture affects almost all of one’s
communication behaviors. It determines how one views the world. The words and actions of
individuals are determined by one’s culture. Communication behaviors are mostly learned when one
is young by imitating those around one. Culture affects one’s attitudes and behaviors, and it reflects
exactly what is most important to the people of that culture. Learning about different cultures can
assist one when having intercultural communications. When we open our minds and hearts we are
much less likely to stereotype, be prejudice against, or to discriminate against individuals that are
different then ourselves. Being open and accepting of others makes intercultural communications a
rewarding experience.
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