The Impact of Culture on Language Learning

Language is one of the greatest means of expressing oneself. Culture makes up an inherent part of an individual. Hence, in the words of Jacques Leylavergne et Andrea Parra,

If culture doesn’t exist without language, then language doesn’t exist without culture either.

Moreover, learning a foreign language is in itself a process that includes learning new cultures, lifestyles, etiquette, ways of thinking, and attitudes. Jeanine Courtillon in her book ‘La notion de progression appliquée à l’enseignement de la civilisation’ highlights how learning a foreign language is like entering a mysterious world. In the process, you broaden your knowledge and understanding by understanding individual behaviour.

Language and Culture: An Intertwined Relationship

Language is not just a sum of words, sentences, and grammatical principles. It is also a unique combination of cultural norms, cognitive processes, and social systems. According to scholarly findings, language and culture are inseparable. While all culture is directly or indirectly related to language, all language is inevitably a part of the culture. According to the definition given by Live Science,

“ Culture is the knowledge and characteristics of a particular group of people, encompassing language, social habits, religion, cuisine, music, and arts.”

Hence, understanding culture is an inevitable part of the process of learning a new language. Moreover, culture is not limited to language and is reflected and manifested in various other components that we know through language. These include the particular cuisine, art, mythology, etiquette, tone of speech, and idioms and proverbs. Language provides a way of seeing life and all that involves within. Learning a new language offers a new worldview, perspective, and framework of understanding culture.

Evolution of Language and Culture

The evolution of a language is shaped by a particular group of people who speak it. Their culture and ways of living play a crucial role in language development. Similarly, language plays an eminent role in the shaping and development of a culture. Consequently, mastering a second language requires the knowledge of cultural contexts underpinning the words, phrases, and sentences. Gaining a more profound understanding of culture requires the knowledge and experience of their native language and means of communication. It is also crucial to be in tandem with how language as a communication tool is used culturally. Every culture has a different and unique way of expressing itself through language.

Hence, learning a language not only requires the learning of words, sentence formation, and grammar. It also involves the understanding of the culture and cultural connotations. It is then that a learner could put the learned language to correct use.

Cultural Clash in Language Use

Communicative misunderstandings are most likely to occur between people from different countries due to their ignorance of each other’s attitudes, social norms, and cultural backgrounds. Certain gestures, words, and rules of engagement, such as those expressing politeness, differ based on different cultures. For instance, it is considered polite to shake hands or kiss on the cheeks while meeting someone in Spain, whereas in the Swedish culture, maintaining some distance is deemed polite, and touching someone is frowned upon. These are cultural norms that differ widely and thus have a tendency to be misinterpreted. In order to avoid such communicative barriers and cultural misunderstandings, it is vital to promote cultural knowledge and understanding with language learning. It is a parallel process that provides a wholesome and comprehensive communicative experience. Moreover, inculcating an understanding of a new culture is a robust tool for better language learning and its use.

While it is not impossible to learn a new language without diving into its cultural understanding, increasing your knowledge of the same makes the language learning process faster and more enriching. We at The Language Network provide a comprehensive learning experience and believe in celebrating cultures and promoting languages. Visit us at the TLN website and join our foreign language course for an overall enriching journey.