Language and Culture

Anthropologists and other social scientists world wide define the concept of culture as “a set of learned behaviours and ideas that humans acquire as members of society” (Lavenda & Schultz, 2008). Culture plays an absolutely imperative role in who we, as human beings, are as a distinct species. Within the confines of the complex social structures of the world, culture allows humans (and groups of humans) to effectively express themselves. Humans also utilize culture to systematically adapt and alter the environments that surround them (Lavenda & Schultz, 2008). Culture truly is a fascinating thing, as it is the most defining feature that distinguishes Homo sapiens from other biological animal species. One of the most significant components of culture is the deeply intricate idea of language. Language, as a cultural marker, has received more recognition and analysis than seemingly any other aspect of culture (Currie & Mace, 2012). The extensive use of ;anguage serves to help shape the identity of cultures and acts as a main facilitator for cultural diversity. These implications that language possesses carry a broad significance with regards to how humans go about their lives. The concept of language, due to its function as symbolic system of communication, performs an incredibly important purpose in shaping who we are as diversely cultural human beings, and will continue to have effect as we progress into the future. Through the analysis of what language is as an entity, how language directly connects to culture and cognitive thought, and how it greatly impacts variation in human culture, one can better understand the importance of language within the broad contexts of cultural diversity.

Language is by no means a simplistic conc...

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...to thoroughly observe how language substantially contributes to cultural diversity. The diversity that language exudes can be present in a variety of forms. Languages employ tones, clicks, ocular signs, and other types of general sounds to indicate difference in meaning (Baronchelli et al, 2012 p.1). Cultures use disparate combinations of these communicative components to mold and refine their diverse forms of language. Scholars and researchers alike now acknowledge the fact that languages are an ever-evolving piece of the cultural experience. The foundations of language are now seen to be shaped, altered, and refined by the societies that use them. (Dale & Lupyan, 2012 p.1). This concept of constant linguistic evolution greatly contributes to the cultural diversity that language facilitates, as two language will never, at any point in time, become truly identical.