Language and Culture

Language and Culture

2014121202 曹钰

Language and culture,intrinsically interdependent on each other,are shaping each other through history.When we come across a new culture,we tend to get to its language.Through the words we have searched, what is displayed to us is a deep culture behind the language.In a similar way, when we encounter a new word, we would like to look for its meaning in a dictionary first.Yet in addition to its dictionary meanings,people with different cultural background will hold different understanding.In linguistics,there are certain thoughts of an individual in one language cannot be understood by those who live in another language.The way people think is strongly affected by their native language.Sometimes,the structure of a language can strongly influence or determine someone's World View.

Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols.As one of social cultural essential factors,it is a necessary tool used for human communication.The language is used in the certain cultural context because of the cultural restriction,and the differences between languages have reflected the differences of national culture. And so does the culture.Culture touches and alters human’s life.It is a collection of beliefs,habits,manners,living patterns,behaviors which are held more or less in common in such an area.The culture teaches people how to use the language, but certain language forms only then in the specific cultural context.Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.Once the language comes into the communication sphere,there then exist difficulties in expressing and understanding the cultural connotations.

Language is the very important carrier of culture; but culture has constrains on language. There are a great amount of common superstitions both in China and in western culture.Chinese culture is rich in beliefs,customs and superstitions that vary greatly from those in the west.Let's take a look at some of these that are caused by language,and how they truly affect culture.

First,superstitions of number.In China,the number “four” is extremely unlucky.It is because that the pronunciation of four, “sì’”sounds similar to the Chinese word for death.Therefore,many people are not willing to choose apartments on 4th floor and some buildings,especially in hospitals no 4th

floor and Room4.In addition,in Chinese culture,people also regard some special numbers as magic and lucky numbers.The number 2 is considered lucky due to the fact that in Chinese culture “all good things come in pairs”.Actually,the number 8 which sounds sort of similar to the word prosperity and wealth is the luckiest one for Chinese.Although even numbers are generally thought more fortunately than odds numbers，one odd number,9,is considered propitious.Owing to its sound,people believe “ji?” is close to “long lasting ”.It was reported that many Chinese couples chose to register a marriage on September 9,2009,as 9 is an auspicious number.

However,these numbers have quite different superstitious implications in different cultures.For example,the western people regard the even numbers as unlucky while odds numbers lucky,except “13”.In some English speaking countries,people will not have dinner or travel in 13 numbers,because they think 13 people will bring them bad luck.Though English people do not favor even numbers, “8” is still considered to be commendatory.For the Arabic writing form “8” consists of two “0”,and also looks like the sign “∞” .In the west they think the number “8” similarly implies the God’s love,happiness,success and satisfaction are infinite.

Second,superstitions of color.In addition to the fact that different languages may have different divisions of color,different languages provide different color related associations.In English “green” is associated with envy or jealousy like “green with envy” or “green-eyes” and “greenhorn” refers to a person without experiences and training.

In Chinese culture ,the colors white and black are symbols of death.Black is never worn in celebrations and ceremonies,and people avoid decorating their home with anything black.As black and white resemble disaster and sadness,white wedding dress and black suit are not very popular in China for a long time.However,these days,with the development of science and technology and globalization,more and more Chinese are taking up the western customs of wearing white wedding dress and suit.We can see that black is regarded gentle and formal,and white is pure and sacred in western culture.

As far as good luck goes,it does not get much better than the color red in China.It’s the color of the flag,and it represents warmth and happiness.During Spring Festivals,you’ll see red everywhere you go;children will be given red envelopes as a good luck present.Opposite view in the west,as red is the color of blood,red symbolize war,violence and bloodiness.

It is well known that because the cultural background is different,hold the person of

dissimilarity language at confabulation will produce misconstruction.The language reflects a characteristic of race and it not only includes history and cultural background of that race,but also contains that viewpoint,life style and mode of thinking of race to life.We often have trouble in translation.The reason why the translation is not so easy is that a language reflects its culture, loads rich cultural connotations and is confined to the culture.

Language and culture independent from each other and influence each other.Comprehend the culture,we need to learn the language.In a word,language expresses cultural reality.

A history of language is the history of cultural communications.In

our

intercultural

communication the biggest barrier is not language but the deep cultural differences.Therefore,lacks the understanding of the culture,we might be careful and pay more attention to the communication.

To sum up,since the knowledge and viewpoint constitute a people’s culture are imperceptibly encoded and transmitted in the language of the people,it is difficult to separate the two.Language is the verbal expression of culture.Culture is the idea,custom and other intangible spiritual expression,abstract,implicit and hidden.On the one hand,language is an integral part of human being permeates his thinking and way of viewing the world.On the other hand,language is a bridge and tool to spread,develop and retain the culture at the same time.If culture is the environment,language is the air in it.To be familiar to the environment,we have a long way to go.