LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

MAKALAH
Summited to fulfill one of the requirements of the Introduction to Linguistic
Supporting Lecturer : AHMAD RIPAI RANGKUTI, S.Pd, M.Hum
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BY : The Fourth Group
1. Laila Dzuhri Ramadani
2. Nikmah Sakinah
3. Sakinah Mawaddah Siregar
4. M. Abi Syubban

PENDIDIKAN BAHASA INGGRIS

SEKOLAH TINGGI KEGURUAN DAN ILMU PENDIDIKAN
PADANG LAWAS
2023
 FOREWORD
Alhamdulillah, all praise and gratitude for the presence of Allah SWT for
His grace and blessings so that our group can complete this task well. We also do
not forget to say blessings and greetings to the Prophet Muhammad, because he is
the one who delivered us from the time of ignorance to the age of knowledge.

We have prepared this paper to fulfill the task of the Introduction to

Linguistic group and it is hoped that the reader will be able to understand the
material we discussed, namely "Language and Culture" that we present based on
observations from various sources.

We also don't forget to say thank you to those who have helped, such as
our parents who have given us the opportunity to continue this learning activity to
a higher level.

And we also thank the lecturers at the STKIP Padang Lawas, especially to
the lecturer who teaches Introduction to Linguistic study program, Mr. AHMAD
RIPAI RANGKUTI, S.Pd, M.Hum who have guided us in writing this paper.
Thus this paper is useful for us even though this paper has advantages and
disadvantages.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD......................................................................................... i
TABLE OF CONTENTS...................................................................... ii
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION.......................................................... 1
A. Background................................................................................. 1
B. Problem Formulation................................................................... 1
CHAPTER II DISCUSSION................................................................ 2
A. Defenition of Language............................................................... 2
B. Defenition of Culture.................................................................. 3
C. Relationship Between Culture and Language............................. 4
D. Evidence on the Dialectical Relationship Between
Language and Culture................................................................. 6
CHAPTER II CLOSING...................................................................... 7
A. Conclusion................................................................................... 7
REFERENCES...................................................................................... 8

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 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of Study
Appearing of the culture always be supported by many languages. In any
culture or region, language is much more than semantics, much more than what
the written page or the spoken word can contain. This especially becomes clear
when studying a foreign language and learning the ways of a particular culture.
For example, the use of introductions, salutations, everyday sayings, etc.

This area in particular gives more weight to culture then to the words
themselves. Anyone studying a foreign language has to be bi-cultural as well as
bilingual to speak the new language in a way that it is not disparaging to the
culture and its origin. Language does not end at the meaning or the use of words
associated to a culture" words represent beliefs, history, and the culture of their
origin and they must be used accordingly.

B. Problem Formulation
1. What is culture and language?
2. What is the relationship between language and culture?
3. What role does culture play with language?

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 CHAPTER II
DISCUSSION
A. Definition of Language
Language as one element of culture has a very important role in human
life. Language allows a person communicating with others in meeting their needs.
Thus, it can be said is the main function of language as a communication tool.
This does not mean that the language has only one function. Another function is
as a tool to express self-expression, a tool to make integration and social
adaptation, as well as a tool to hold social control. (Keraf, 1980: 3)

Based on these functions, also mentioned that "Language is a means of

communication between members of the public symbol of the sound produced by
means of said human" (Keraf, 1980: 1). Similar opinion was also expressed by
Sitindoan (1984: 17) states "Language is a symbol of the sound produced by
means of said human, and the system has means that are arbitrary; used by men in
her life as a means of communication between each other to form, express , and
communicate thoughts and feelings. Cultural social nature".

Based on the notions described above, it is clear that the language was
intended in this paper is a communication tool produced by the tool man has said
symbol, system, meaning, and social are arbitrary and culturally. Every language
has a symbol. With the symbol will facilitate communication, although not
directly dealing with the object. This is because each symbol already contains a
concept or understanding. In order for the meaning of the symbols are understood,
every language user must understand and follow the system language is used.
Language system contains rules or rules that must be obeyed by the user's
language. If not obeyed, the delivery information may be chaotic or
communication cannot happen.

Languages are arbitrary means no direct relationship between the symbol

with the symbolized. Symbolic emergence of an object is based on the
convention. However, even so to be able to understand a language must be studied
and used as a communication tool.

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 B. Definition of Culture
Culture is the whole communication system that binds and allows
operation of a set of people called the public. Thus culture can be defined as a
"system of rules of communication and interaction that allows a society occurs,
preserved, and preserved". Culture that gives meaning to all business and human
movements. (Nababan, 1984: 49)

Based on the above definition, clearly shows that between humans and
culture are inseparable. Similarly, between the Indonesian and Indonesian culture.
This is because human beings live alongside Indonesia in a unit area of ethnic
communities, also live in a unity of the Republic of Indonesia. In this regard, they
hold one culture, according to the conception of insight archipelago, Indonesia is
the national culture (Geriya, 1996: 71).

Culture can also be interpreted as "the activities and the creation of the
mind (reason) people like: faith, art, etc." For example, Chinese Culture, Culture
of Indonesia, and Javanese culture. (Poerwadarminta, 1983: 157). Based on this
understanding, we can say that only humans have culture. This is due to living
things is people who have sense and reason to generate culture.

In addition to the above two terms, the notion of culture can also be
viewed from the corner of Sciences Anthropology. In this regard, culture (the
culture) is defined as "the entirety of the conduct and results of regular human
behavior by the administration that must be acquired behaviors by learning and all
are arranged in life". (Koentjaraninggrat Ed., 1985: 77).

Culture in this case is understood as a learned behavior and conducted by a

group of people, cultures obtained from others by learning from the community.
Culture also includes everything that is the result of creativity, initiative, and the
work of humans in an effort to improve the standard of living and adapt to their
environment. As a system, the culture needs to be seen from the embodiment of
human life associated with the ideas, behaviors, and material that are influenced
by various aspects.

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 Based on the notions above can be concluded is meant by culture is a
result of creative initiative, and the work of humans in an effort to improve the
standard of living and adapt to their environment. These limits are more
emphasized on the fact that humans are capable of producing culture, because
humans are living beings who have mind and reason.

C. Relationship between culture and language.

According to Sapir (1921), “language is a purely human and non-
instinctive method of communicating ideas, emotions and desire by means of
voluntarily produced symbols.” Language is a part of culture and a part of human
behavior.
It is often held that the function of language is to express thought and to
communicate information. Language also fulfills many other tasks such as
greeting people, conducting religious service, etc.
Krech（1962）explained the major functions of language from the
following three aspects:
1. Language is the primary vehicle of communication;
2. Language reflects both the personality of the individual and the culture of
his history. In turn, it helps shape both personality and culture;
3. Language makes possible the growth and transmission of culture, the
continuity of societies, and the effective functioning and control of social
group.

The problem of the relationship between language, culture and thought

bothered many linguists and philosophers since ancient time. To think about this
problem, we need to begin with the definition of language and culture. Language
is generally accepted as a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human
communication. And there is a most widely accepted definition of culture: culture
is the total accumulation of beliefs, customs, values, behaviors, institutions and
communication patterns that are shared, learned and passed down through the
generation in an identifiable group of people.

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 (Linell Davis) The definitions of language and culture imply that the two
are closely connected to each other. On one hand, culture seems so inclusive, it
permeates almost every aspect of human life including languages people use. On
the other hand, when people need to share a culture, they communicate through
language.

However , the definition alone can not provide us with a clear

understanding on the relationship between language and culture. Problems
remains unsolved as: how does culture influence people’s linguistic behavior?
And does language influence the culture in return? If so , in what way? Varies
studies have been carried out, among them, a well known hypothesis is the Sapir-
Whorf Hypothesis made by two American linguists Edward Sapir and Benjamin
Whorf. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis describes the relationship between language,
culture and thought. The core idea is that man’s language molds his perception of
reality.

Many linguists and philosophers are against the linguistic determinism.

They argue if language determines thought totally, and if there is no thought
without language, speakers of different languages will never understand each
other. Nevertheless, the weak interpretation of the hypothesis is now widely
accepted that language do have influence on thought and culture. Evidence is easy
to be found. The problem get more and more philosophical, as Winston Churchill
once said, ‘ we shaped our buildings and afterwards our buildings shaped us.’ We
describe our experience and culture by using language, and the categories built
into language, its structures influence our perceptions--language in turn shapes
our thought and culture. Therefore, we should take a dialectical point of view on
the relationship between language and culture.

As is mentioned at the beginning, language and culture are inextricably

intertwined. On one hand, language is a part of human being. It reflects people’s
attitudes, beliefs, worldviews. Language both expressed and embodies cultural
reality. On the other hand, language is a part of culture. It helps perpetuate the
culture and it can influence the culture to a certain extent.

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 D. Evidence on the Dialectical Relationship Between Language and
Culture
There is plenty of linguistic evidence of culture difference. We take
relationship issue for example to explain the cultural difference between Chinese
people and English speakers. In Chinese ,there are more precise terms for
describing relationships than in English. Chinese people distinguish relatives on
mother’s side from those on father’s side. We have the word ‘biao’ to call the
brothers and sisters on mother’s side and the word ‘tang’ for the father’s side.
Also, the uncles and aunts are addressed differently on each side.

On the contrary, in English, there are limited words to describe

relationships. This difference indicates that relationships play an important role in
Chinese culture. In a narrow sense, relatives are always vital elements in Chinese
people’s life. In a broad sense, the relationships among people around are
generally considered important for Chinese people. The precise terms for
describing family and other relationships reflect the Chinese culture, and the
language may in turn influence the Chinese way of thinking.

Therefore, relationships are paid great attention in China. The Chinese ‘

relationship net’ is hard to explain, but it do works in China. Talking about
relationships, in English, we have the phrase ‘-in law’ to address a certain kind of
relatives, this may indicates that compared to relationships, law plays a more
important role in the western culture.

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 CHAPTER III
CLOSING
A. Conclusion
Language is a major component and supporter of culture as well as a
primary tool for transferring message, which is inextricably bound with culture.
Learning a second language also involves learning a second culture to varying
degrees.

On the other hand, language is influenced and shaped by culture. It reflects

culture. Cultural differences are the most serious areas causing misunderstanding,
unpleasantness and even conflict in cross-cultural communication. So both foreign
language learners and teachers should pay more attention to cultural
communication information.

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 REFERENCES

Chaika, Elaine. 1982. Language the Social Mirror. London: Newbury House
Publishers.

Crane, L. Ben et. al. (1981). An Introduction to Lingusitics. USA: Harcourt Brace
Jovanovich, Inc.

Napitupulu, Selviana,dkk. (2016) Cross Cultural Understanding. Pematangsiantar