Language and Culture

                                                    

Language and Culture

Throughout history, language is deeply intertwined with culture and interacts with it, creating a mosaic of artistic, linguistic and cultural expression. Even before culture appeared, language had a social function, and  was there enabling people to communicate speech, values, beliefs, customs, and therefore have an exchange. Language is only a part of the culture, while culture is a complex structure containing a variety of features that cover and extend all human creative activities. Apart from being an instrument of communication, language displays a human social identity and a cultural element that shapes the basic characteristics of religion, race, descent, origin and ethnic background. 

Humans are the only species who have developed a system of cognitive language communication, and this is why it is so important in cultures to see how they have evolved through mutual contact, communication and interaction.   “A language is not just words. It's a culture, a tradition, a unification of a community, a whole history that creates what a community is. It's all embodied in a language.” - Noam Chomsky Nowadays, it’s becoming increasingly evident that in a globalised world those two aspects of human endeavour are taking an important role in shaping the modern world community. The world is rapidly changing through the mass media and social media and both are offering us new innovative ways of communication whereby language plays a pivotal road, thus forming a new advanced culture. In this sense, we see the complementary element that connects those two sides: language and culture is an inseparable duet.

The relationship between culture, language, as well as literature cannot be emphasised enough. Culture is manifested in every aspect of human endeavour expressed through the performing arts, theatre, music, literature etc. whereby language is modus vivendi and a driving force. ❝Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.❞ Rita Mae Brown Therefore, learning another language is a great way to grasp a broader aspect of a certain culture, and an amazing enrichment. According to linguistics experts, language is a cultural,  social phenomenon, and psychological experience. You can better understand people’s culture, customs and behaviour; if you have studied and learned their language. In this respect, people who have learned a foreign language in the country where this language is spoken, do benefit double, because they get to know the language, native people, and their culture, customs, mentality and habits, and in this way learning is becoming an educational and cultural event.”Absolutely nothing is so important for a nation's culture as its language.” Wilhelm von Humboldt 

Our world today is becoming increasingly inter-cultural and multilingual, and this is the result of globalisation that is now occurring. All cultures are open to intermingle with other cultures, and create a broader culture. Many students choose to continue their studies in a foreign country and in many cases stay there and integrate with their new culture. The same is true with tourism which opens new dimensions in human relationships and connects people from different languages and cultures. Another example is gastronomy and international cuisine. Nowadays, chefs  choose to expand the variety of tastes through integration and innovation. This allows them to create new recipes and tastes, opening a new territory in this field.  “I also believe that food can unite people from all walks of life and cultures. When we sit together and eat, we promote better understanding and harmony. Food brings love, peace and compassion to the table.”— Chef Wan

Furthermore, language and culture can contribute to creating a better world, a more harmonious and peaceful world. The knowledge of another language breaks down the barriers that separate people and countries and creates bridges that connect people, enabling them to freely communicate among each other and become friends. The acquisition of a language broadens one’s horizon and becomes a precious skill which is an asset for professional achievements and a    successful career. Children born in families with parents coming from different cultures and speaking different languages are becoming multicultural and multilingual which is a huge advantage and enrichment which contributes to uniting our cultures. Conflicts can also be resolved, if we care more for intercultural communication and dialogue, thus promoting better relationships among different cultures through exchange and negotiations. Respect for other cultures is very important and that also includes different religions and faiths. They might be alien to us, but it is imperative to be tolerant and open-minded, and above all accept diversity. “Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all of humanity” by Robert Alan.

Finally, we are destined to create a better world whereby language and culture have a definitive role to play.We need to work together and deconstruct any prejudice and bias in our society and accept diversity i.e. different languages and cultures by being tolerant and open-minded. Far from generating conflicts, we can transcend our differences and resolve issues through dialogue and mutual acceptance. International commerce, business and entrepreneurship shows us that we depend on each other and that we can mutually benefit if we are ready to apply norms, principles and values in the way we handle. 

Save the Planet

                                                 Save the Planet

  Our planet Earth is sending an SOS signal, especially  in recent years and the signs are seen all over the planet. Increasingly, we see climate change and its effects: wildfires, floods, global warming,iceberg melting, widespread air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, water level rise, etc. What is our reaction to all this? World leaders haven’t  yet shown that they are really interested in solving the problem and cannot agree on taking the necessary measures that will enable them to face this crucial challenge. There should be a consensus to restrict gas emissions, especially in heavily industrialised countries like the USA, China, Russia, Japan and EU countries including the United Kingdom etc. Instead they are waiting by wasting precious time and pushing things to the limits and walking along the razor’s edge demonstrating inability to work together in unison. The world cannot wait anymore. Serious action is absolutely indispensible. “We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it.”— Barack Obama

Our awareness should be raised in order to grasp the root of the problem, and become sensitised towards our individual and not only collective responsibility facing this crucial challenge. The solution starts with me, the individual and is extended to further units as society, nation and finally the world.  It should become part of our educational systems and schools to raise children’s  awareness towards the environment and nature. We are the guardians of this beautiful planet to keep it intact and to respect every single inch of its territory as it is truly our only home. Sooner or later, we will have to recognise that the Earth has rights, too, to live without polluting. What mankind must know is that human beings cannot live without Mother Earth, but the planet can live without humans. – Evo Morales

Fortunately, there is an increasing awareness worldwide about the environmental threats and there already exist numerous initiatives to protect the environment.  Instead of looking far away, we need to start from the individual and communal level, and this is what really matters now. Above all, we as sole stewards of this planet should develop a deeper love and awareness of our natural environment starting with recycling our waste, saving energy where we can, reuse things and reduce our daily needs. We have to educate ourselves by keeping our sea, beaches, forests, lakes and rivers, squares clean. We have to understand that our planet doesn’t have endless natural resources and need to use renewable and sustainable energy sources. Water is a common good which is vital and invaluable for human life and health as well as sustainability. We need to save water and use it with care and reduce its unnecessary use.  Water is in scarcity and we should think that there are millions of people elsewhere who don’t have this precious commodity and suffer due to its lack or their water is not clean and non potable by humans.  Also cars and industries are the main culprits for pollution and countries should work together in unison to face and solve the threat before it’s too late. A strong volunteer movement should emerge worldwide whose responsibility should be to contribute in saving our home from disasters. “Each of us can contribute, though. With our votes, our voices, our food choices, our skills and our dollars. We must overhaul both corporate practices and government policies. We must transform culture. Building community around solutions is the most important thing. I am never going to give up working to protect and restore this magnificent planet. Every bit of habitat we preserve, every tenth of a degree of warming we prevent, really does matter. Thankfully, I'm not motivated by hope, but rather a desire to be useful.”

— Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

Let’s not waste time because this is a serious matter and we need to act immediately. We cannot wait anymore until the Amazon is totally extinct of endangered species, aquatic life and illegal deforestation, the oceans polluted, the continents burnt down by wildfires and no clean air to breathe.  We owe respect,  care and vigilance considering that this planet earth is our only home since we cannot migrate to other planets right now. This place was granted to us by our Creator and we as stewards and heirs should rightfully protect and elevate it as the most precious and holy place of the universe, our home.