SOCCUL5

Language & Culture Jennifer L. Graves, M.A.

Definitions of Language • A system of symbols that allows people to

communicate with one another; a component of culture (Macionis 2010).

• Language is by no means a mere means of communication, but the mirror of the mind and of the world view of the speaker (Humboldt 1827).

Does language shape reality?

Does someone who thinks in Cherokee experience the world differently from someone who thinks in English?

Sapir-Whorf Thesis • Thesis: People see and understand the world

through the cultural lens of language. ▫ Each language has its own distinctive symbols

(next slide) that serve as building blocks of reality. ▫ Each language has words or expressions not found

in any other symbolic system. ▫ All languages fuse symbols with distinctive

emotions so that a single idea may “feel” different in different languages.

Sapir-Whorf Thesis Language powerfully conditions all of our thinking… Human beings do not live in the objective world alone, nor alone in the world of social activity as ordinarily understood, but are very much at the mercy of the particular language which has become the medium of expression of their society. It is quite an illusion to imagine that one adjusts to reality essentially without the use of language and that language is merely an incidental means of solving specific problems of communication or reflection. The fact of the matter is that the "real world" is to a large extent unconsciously built upon the language habits of the group…. We see and hear and otherwise experience very largely as we do because the language habits of our community predispose certain choices of interpretation. [Sapir 1929:209-210]

Sapir-Whorf Thesis The [grammar] of each language is not merely a reproducing instrument for voicing ideas but rather is itself a shaper of ideas…. The categories and types that we isolate from the world of phenomena we do not find there because they stare every observer in the face; on the contrary, the world is presented in a kaleidoscopic flux of impressions which has to be organized by our minds…. [A]ll observers are not led by the same physical evidence to the same picture of the universe, unless their linguistic backgrounds are similar, or can in some way be calibrated. [Whorf 1940a:221-214]

Culture & Language • Linguistic Determinism – the way one thinks

is determined by the language one speaks • Linguistic Relativity – differences among

languages are reflected in the differences in the worldviews of their speakers ▫ This definition posits that Language 

Worldview. Might it be better to say that Worldview  Language? Why or why not?  Direction vs. Reflection

Conclusion • The culture of a group makes sense of the world for

people in a particular group; it is the framework though which they experience and understand the world around them.

• Humans therefore can be seen as having no direct access to ‘reality.’; instead, their reality is thoroughly shaped by culture (Berger and Luckmann, 1967), especially through the particular language they use. ▫ Culture and language are closely connected. The way a

language carves up reality and endows it with meaning profoundly shapes the ways people who use that language understand things (Saussure, 1959).

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You are required to number your responses, submit your work as a PDF, and to be detailed and thorough in all your responses. I expect it will take at least one paragraph to answer each question.

Expectations for Written Work

1. Number your responses if the questions/prompts are numbered. 2. When completing any writing assignment, keep in mind the point of all the assigned tasks in this

course: to demonstrate knowledge about the subject, to demonstrate your ability to think critically, to demonstrate the use of your sociological imagination, and to demonstrate your ability to write clearly and effectively. Before submitting your work, be sure that all your responses do each of these things.

3. All written work should be well-written and well thought-out meaning it should utilize full sentences with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation and demonstrate critical thinking skills and subject knowledge.

4. Longer responses on written work typically receive higher scores because they usually demonstrate deeper thought, more critical thinking and analysis, and better content mastery. However, lengthy "fluff" responses that don't actually say anything meaningful will result in a loss of points.

5. Skipping a question or questions on any assignment will result in a significant drop in your score for that assignment because it shows a lack of effort. You should always attempt to answer every question.

6. Similarly, be sure you fully answer all the questions asked. Often there are multiple parts and it is critical that you do everything that is asked of you and fully answer all questions.

7. Neglecting to follow directions may result in a 0 for the entire assignment.

On Artificial Intelligence (AI) Specifically:

In this course, we will utilize an AI detection tool when we score your written work and this tool is incredibly accurate. The chances of anyone getting away with using Artificial Intelligence (AI) are essentially nil. Students who utilize AI or who engage in any other form of academic dishonesty -- plagiarism, collusion, etc. -- will first be given a 0 on the assignment. NO CHAT GPT

Assignment 5 instructions on PAGE 2

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Assignment 5: Read the following articles and external links

1. Read Slides: a. Culture and Connection b. Read Slides: Culture and Language

2. Read Book: a. Chayko Read at least 3-13 pages

3. Video a. Frontline Digital Nation: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/digitalnation/ b. VIDEO: TED Talk - How technology changes our sense of right and wrong:

https://www.ted.com/talks/juan_enriquez_how_technology_changes_our_sense_of_right _and_wrong

c. Fake Famous: https://www.hbo.com/movies/fake-famous 4. Podcast:

a. https://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/662611757/unintended-consequences?utm_ source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tedradiohour&utm_term=nprne ws&utm_content=202902

b. https://the1a.org/segments/the-perils-and-promises-of-parasocial-relationships/

Questions:

1. Write a one paragraph summary of Chayko's book chapter on "Portable Communities." How is it relevant to the course material in this unit?

2. What is the most interesting thing you learned from the "Culture and Language" slides? Why?

3. Take a stance on the central question we covered in this unit. Specifically, given the global circulation of cultural objects, is the world coming together or falling apart? Are human societies becoming more and more alike or just more and more aware of their differences? Should we be optimistic or pessimistic about the emergence of a world culture? Support your position.

4. *Video Link:*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1BneeJTDcU

● Choose any two lines from the song and explain what you think each of them means. Be detailed and thorough.

● Choose a different third line from the song and relate it back to the course material. (Hint: Unit 5 may be the most applicable but you can use anything you've learned in this course.) Be detailed and thorough and make sure your response demonstrates an understanding of the course material.