How Language Shapes Our Cultural Beliefs and Values

Language is an essential aspect of communication. It remains a vital tool that represents the thoughts, beliefs, and ideas of individuals. Every culture is shaped by its language, values and beliefs. Language affects the way we perceive the world around us. Cultural beliefs and values are passed down from generation to generation through language. Therefore, language plays a significant role in shaping our cultural beliefs and values.

Language and Culture are interconnected – they are like two sides of the same coin. The way we think, act and perceive the world is determined by our language. Whenever we communicate with others, we do so through our cultural lens, and language is one of the primary influences of that lens. For example, in Japanese culture, the word ‘Wa’ (harmony) is significant and is part of their cultural values. Inculcating the value of harmony helps them to maintain peaceful relationships in the community. The Japanese language embodies the value of harmony and uses words like ‘Wabi-sabi,’ which means ‘imperfect beauty.’

Different languages have different names for colours. In the English language, blue and green are identified as two different colours. However, in the Russian language, there is no separate word for ‘green’ but ‘light-blue’ is used to describe green. This difference in language reveals the different ways people in different cultures perceive the world. Hence, language helps us see how cultural values and beliefs shape language. The concept of time differs in different cultures, for instance, in the US, ‘time is money,’ while in Latin America, ‘mañana’ (tomorrow) is a prevalent cultural concept. Therefore, language influences our attitude and our behaviour towards time in different cultures.

Language shapes our cultural identity. A person’s language represents their culture and forms a significant part of their identity. By speaking different languages, people can identify themselves with the culture associated with the language. For example, by speaking Spanish, a person can identify themselves with Latin American culture and its values. Hence, language is an essential part of cultural identity and provides a way for people to identify with their culture.

Language acts as a barrier in communication. Different languages are spoken across the world, and the lack of knowledge of a particular language causes barriers to communication. The inability to speak the language of a different culture becomes an obstacle in understanding the values and beliefs of that culture. Misunderstandings can arise because of the language barrier, leading to conflict and hostility between cultures. Therefore, it is essential to learn about different languages to understand different cultures and avoid misunderstandings.

In conclusion, language shapes our cultural beliefs and values. Language influences the way we communicate, think and perceive the world. The interdependence of language and culture is like that of the seed and the flower. Learning about different languages and cultures can help us understand and appreciate the values of different cultures. Understanding how language shapes our beliefs and values is an important step in promoting intercultural understanding and building bridges between cultures.