Language and Culture Essay

Ones purification affects almost all of matchlesss chat behaviors. I discovered an article written by Marg art Cote, lecture Reflects agriculture, that reveals many of the differences between the Saulteaux run-in and the English nomenclature. Marg bet Cote states, linguistic process determines the way a person views the world. She describes how Indian people view things around them differently hence English speaking people do. Margaret Cote says that she views the world around her in 2 different ways depending on what language she is speaking.In this paper I will discuss how attitudes and behavior are determined by the language wizard speaks and how language does indeed reflect a culture. Ones culture determines the way superstar processes information and how one copes with reality. C erstpts and disapproves corroborate frames of summon that differ from culture to culture. The meaning of a word partly depends on the cultures historical relation to the concept or objec t described. When Margaret Cope returns home the topic of the conversation determines the language she speaks.Different cultures advert the world differently. The Saulteaux people are extremely concerned with exactness and start fall out different speech communication for we and you, depending on whether they are being inclusive or exclusive. American culture is non as concerned with exactness and therefrom we use the words we and you differently. Different cultures pose different beliefs and values and these are expressed in their language, whether it be verbal or non-verbal. Many misunderstandings fall in inter heathenish communications because many are unaware of these differences.It is important for one to learn the differences of various cultures for one to understand ones get identity. It is through knowing round other(a)s that one learns what is truly important to oneself. Language Reflects a Culture Languages group aspects of reality together. Things that are impor tant 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 elevator 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 element 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 expression-saving techniques to solve problems (Hybels, S. & Weaver, R. (2007). P. 64).Culture determines ones 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 wi th 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 both lack knowledge of other cultures or are just ingenuous when it comes to dealing with individuals from other cultures.There are many barriers to inter ethnic communication, including ethnocentrism, stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. Ethnocentrism is when one believes ones own cultural norms and ways of thinking are topnotch to all other cultures. Ethnocentrism becomes a barrier to intercultural communication when one refuses to believe that another cultures beliefs have any real value. It prevents one from seeing anothers 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 pr oblem with stereotypes is once they are established they are difficult to remove. Individuals tend to view things that encounter 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 reach to prejudice. Getting to know individuals from different cultures assists one in eliminating prejudice (p. 67). variety takes stereotypes and prejudice one step further by excluding, avoiding, and distanc ing 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. Ones culture affects almost all of ones communication behaviors. It determines how one views the world. The words and actions of individuals are determined by ones culture.Communication behaviors are mostly learned when one is young by imitating those around one. Culture affects ones attitudes and behaviors, and it reflects exactly what is most important to the people of that culture. training about different cultures can assist one when having intercultural communications. When we open our minds and wagon we are much less likely to stereotype, be prejudice against, or to discriminate agains t individuals that are different then ourselves. Being open and accept of others makes intercultural communications a rewarding experience.