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Language and Culture

Language and Culture. Language. Language, our spoken, written, or gestured work, is the way we communicate meaning to ourselves and others. Language transmits culture. Language Influences Thinking. Linguistic Determinism: Whorf (1956) suggested that language determines the way we think .

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Language and Culture

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  1. Language and Culture

  2. Language Language, our spoken, written, or gestured work, is the way we communicate meaning to ourselves and others. Language transmits culture.

  3. Language Influences Thinking Linguistic Determinism:Whorf (1956) suggested that language determines the way we think. For example, he noted that the Hopi people do not have the past tense for verbs. Therefore, the Hopi cannot think readily about the past.

  4. Language and Cognition • Linguistic determinism • Idea that patterns of thinking are determined by the specific language one speaks • Research only mildly supports the idea • Not determinism but influence

  5. Language Influences Thinking When a language provides words for objects or events, we can think about these objects more clearly and remember them. It is easier to think about two colors with two different names (A) than colors with the same name (B) (Özgen, 2004).

  6. We create when we need • Skiers have different words for snow • Powder, corn, and ice • Computer Revolution • I hate that my hardware won’t run the new software • I’m going to google it • I’m just going to tweet about it later, rather than post it to facebook. I’m really feeling depressed that my ipod isn’t syncing to my itunes • Experience shapes language.

  7. Perception • Exposure to another language or to new words can alter a person’s perception of the world

  8. Hmm….. • Does language influence thought or thought influence language?

  9. Proverbs • Sayings that express commonly held ideas and beliefs.

  10. US Proverbs • The pen is mightier than the _________ • Better safe than ____________ • It is always darkest before ___________ • Don’t bite the hand that ___________. • No news is _____________ • A penny saved is ____________

  11. Other Culture’s Proverbs • If there is no wind, _________ (Japan) • He who is being carried does not realize how ____________ (Nigerian) • A priest's beard is _______________. (Russian) • If there is no wind, ROW(Japan) • He who is being carried does not realize how FAR THE TOWN IS (Nigerian) • A priest's beard is ALWAYS SOAKED IN BUTTER. (Russian)

  12. Other Culture’s Proverbs • In a court of fowls,__________________. – Rwandan proverb • Those who are choosy ______________. – Ilocano proverb (Philippines) • Don't think there are no crocodiles because _______________. – Malayan proverb • In a court of fowls, THE COCKROACH NEVER WINS HIS CASE – Rwandan proverb • Those who are choosy OFTEN PICK THE WORST. – Ilocano proverb (Philippines) • Don't think there are no crocodiles because THE WATER IS CALM. – Malayan proverb

  13. How Do Language and Culture Interact? • Through specific components of language • Grammar • Vocabulary • Euphemisms • Slang

  14. Grammar • Romance Languages • Masculine and Feminine Forms of Nouns • In French, “victim” is feminine • Professions are masculine

  15. More Grammar • Spanish • Single is “el” and “la” • Plural is “los” regardless of male-female ratio • e.g. one male and 1000 females=“los” • Same with French

  16. Vocabulary • The Inuit (aka Eskimos) • 20+ words for snow • Fiji Islanders • No words for snow • Many words for coconuts

  17. Aluiqqaniq : Snowdrift on a steep hill, overhanging on top.Aniuk : Snow for drinking water.Aniuvak : Snow remaining in holes.Aput : Snow on the ground (close to the generic Snow)Aqilluqqaaq : Fresh and soggy snowAuviq : snow brick, to build iglooIjaruvak : Melted snow, turned in ice crystals.Isiriartaq : Falling snow, yellow or red.Kanangniut : Snowdrift made by North-East wind.Katakartanaq : Crusty snow, broken by steps.Kavisilaq : snow hardened by rain or frostKinirtaq : wet and compact snow.Masak : wet snow, saturated.Matsaaq : snow in waterMaujaq : deep and soft snow, where it's difficult to walk.Mingullaut : thin powder snow, enters by cracks and covers objects.Mituk : small snow layer on the water of a fishing hole.Munnguqtuq : compressed snow which began to soften in spring.Natiruviaqtuq: snow blasts on the ground.Niggiut : snowdrift with South-east windNiummak : hard waving snow staying on ice fieldsPingangnuit : snowdrift made by south-west windPiqsiq : snow lift by wind. Blizzard.Pukak : dry snow crystals, like sugar powderQannialaaq : light falling snowQanniq : falling snowQuiasuqaq : re-frozen snow surface, making crust.Qiqiqralijarnatuq: snow when walked on.Uangniut : snowdrift made by north-west wind. Uluarnaq : round snowdriftUqaluraq : taper snowdrift

  18. More Vocabulary • Arabic (not using adjectives, but different words) • 700 words to describe camels—height, weight, age, color, smell, etc.

  19. More Vocabulary • Hawaiians • 25-30 different words for tides and waves • Surfers-glassy, macking, etc. • Wauroni (S. American tribal people) • No word for “work” • New Guinea tribal groups • No words for “war”

  20. More Vocabulary • Hopi Indians • A single noun to refer to all flying things and beings (except for birds) • Insects=planes=aviators=superman

  21. More Vocabulary • Americans and their love of cars • Types of non-commercial vehicles/transportation • e.g. sedan, convertible, 4WD, hatchback, notchback, truck, pickup truck, SUV, mini-SUV, mini-van, Hummer, single and double-cab pickup, etc.

  22. in a while, on Tuesday, behind/ahead of schedule, looking forward to, approaching Christmas, continuance, lastingness, extent, chronology, past, present, future, infinity, space-time; millisecond, age, eon, era, epoch, nanosecond, second, minute, hour, day, week, month, year, term, decade, generation, lifetime, century, millennium, aeon; moment, instant, watch, tour, tour of duty, work period, shift, etc

  23. Euphemistic Language • Words that disguise the truth • Attempt to alter reality by changing/cleansing the language. • Associated with lies and deceit. • It takes the life out of life.

  24. Euphemism Example • WWI—when a soldier’s body could no longer take the stresses of war and it shut down, it was called “SHELL SHOCK”

  25. In WWII, it was renamed to: “BATTLE FATIGUE” • In the Korean War, they called it: “OPERATIONAL EXHAUSTION”

  26. By the end of the Vietnam war, it had been changed to: “POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER”

  27. Slang • The use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker’s dialect or language. • Used by a specific social group, for instance teenagers, soldiers, prisoners

  28. Slang • Slang changes quickly • 10% retention rate every 10 years (Eble, 1987) • But slang is reincarnated over and over again • The same terms are seen every generation • Often w/ different meanings • Used almost exclusively by the young • Every generation “slangs” what is important to them • Studying their slang is a way to understand a generation

  29. Where does slang come from? • Crime • Music/video gaming • Sports • Deviant groups

  30. Slang • Why is slang used? • 1) It conceals meaning from parents • But do kids use slang in front of them? • 2) It identifies you as part of the group • 3) It defies authority (talking like a rebel) • 4) It makes one feel special & important • 5) It excludes other peer groups

  31. From 1900-1919 • Before the end of WWI (1919) there was little use of slang • Why: Mass media was not a “national” phenomenon • Terms could not be shared or spread by the youth culture • But there was one NATIONAL exception . . .

  32. From 1900-1919 • 23 Skidoo • Three meanings: OK, Good, See You Later • This was the 1st National Slang Term (1905)

  33. II. 1920-30s: From Flappers to Jazz • 1920s captured by F. Scott Fitzgerald • Times were good and decadent • The early 30s were depression years • Times were tough • The late 30s were swing and big-band jazz (the gangster rap of the age) • Strong slang influence from black culture

  34. II. 1920-30s: From Flappers to Jazz • 2) Half-cut, fried, jammed, juiced, pie-eyed, polluted, plastered, shot, tanked • 3) Bat, brawl, buzz, rag, toot, wrestle, egg harbor • 4) 5 Things: Gob stick, dog house, gobble pipe, skins, git box 2. Drunk (most popular reference of the age) 3. A dance party 4. Instruments: clarinet, bass, sax, drums, guitar • If you got all 3, you are swanky or tasty

  35. III. 1940s: From the War to Babies • 1941-45 saw WWII • Much slang was based on male war interactions • After the war, America experience good times • “Happy Days Are Here Again” #1 Song • They seemed to name everything • Not many stayed around

  36. III. 1940s: From the War to Babies • 5) Drooly, pappy, swoony, BTO, PC, • 6) 5 Things: Moss, blinkers, flops, schnozz, pillars • 7) Fatal pill, go-away kiss, lead pill, check out, blotto, in the drink 5. An attractive man (big-time operator, prince charming) 6. Body Parts: Hair, eyes, ears, nose, legs 7. WWII Terms: Bullets and dying • If you got these 3, you are a real hep cat(most popular term)

  37. IV. 1950s: From Cool to Beat • 1950s were “Happy Days,” at least on the surface • Young were restless(rejection of parents) • Salinger’s Catcher, Brando’s Wild One, Dean’s Rebel, & Elvis’ Jailhouse Rock • The Beatnik movement also exploded • Wore black, drank coffee, & read poetry • Terms: Hipster, like, daddy-o, cat, & dig

  38. IV. 1950s: From Cool to Beat • 8) Bad news, beast, bomb, hack, kemp, wedge • 9) Cut the grass, don’t tense, fade out, get bent • 10) Squaresville, deadsville, dullsville 8. Cars & Hot Rods (many terms) 9. Insults: Shut up, take it easy, disappear, I hate you 10. A bad place to be • If you got all 3, you are cool (#1), creamy, fat, mad, hairy

  39. V. 1960’s: From Surf to Dope • Breaking away from the conservative 50s • Rock Peaked: • Motown, British Invasion, Acid Rock, Hippie Rock, folk, & Woodstock • It was the most politically active & individually expressive decade of the Century • Anti-Vietnam, Feminism, Civil Rights, Free Love, Free Speech, Black Power, etc.

  40. V. 1960’s: From Surf to Dope • 11) Barf, blow, beets, flash, heave, ralph, • 12) Category: Hang ten, stoked, bitchin, dude, bro • 13) Reefer, gage, mary jane, spliff, jay, doobie, roach 11. To get sick 12. Surf Terms 13. Marijuana • If you got all 3, you’re bad, boss, freak, suave

  41. VI. 1970-80s: From Disco to New Wave • 70s and 80s share a lot in common • Politically inactive, pop-culture driven, no wars, no meaningful direction • Called the “Me Generation” • Really big with 1 or 2 word exclamations!! • Bite me!, Cool Beans!, Eat me!, Heard that!, Not!

  42. VI. 1970-80s: From Disco to New Wave • 14) To chill, hang, veg, jell, kick it, ease • 15) Category: Fer sure, Tscha, grody, totally, to the max 14. To do nothing 15. Valley girl: “Gag me with a spoon” • If you missed these, you are beat, gnarly, harsh, heinous

  43. VII. 1984-1998: Generation Y (millennials) • Times have been good • Strong economy, no world wars, high college rates • Three Major Influences • Pop culture (TV & Movies) • Computers/Technology • Hip Hop

  44. VII. 1984-1998: Generation Y • Category: Later, Peace Out, “How you doin’,” “Wha’s up” • Been there, done that; outta my way man; cowabunga; hurl; take a pill; babe-osity; Not!; schwing; party on! Greetings Bart Simpson & Wayne (pop culture icons) Lots of technology references – think of all the textspeak Ish, woot, owned Lots of gaming references – epic, fail

  45. College Slang! • Gut Class • Easy class • Shmen • Freshman

  46. College Slang! • Double Hulix • A couple that spends all the of their time cuddling while watching Hulu and Netflix on the same computer. In extreme cases, will even share the same set of earbuds.

  47. College Slang! • HTH • Hometown Honey - that special someone from high school who you will forget about by the middle of first semester

  48. College Slang! • Turkey Dump • When a freshman returns home for Thanksgiving Break to dump his or her "Home Town Honey”

  49. Closing Thoughts • A) Many words are reincarnated • 1930’s gave us: • Suck, sweet, mellow, not! • 1940’s gave us: • Brutal, cap, fly, scrub, tasty, groovy • 1950’s gave us: • Clue, hang, kill, nerd, trip, turn on • All have been reincarnated at least 3 times • Thus, each generation is not as innovative as they think

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