Language and Culture

[TMA_1]

I have noticed this, and also I have noticed that many dont realize it either. Not that I am trying to sound arrogant or anything, because I could be wrong, but it just seems so obvious to me.

It seems to me that language has such a profound impact on culture. You can also tell different cultures are influenced by their own languages.

For example in the vedic language, the ancient word for war was worded something like "I want your cows". Because cows were such an important part in vedic cultures, after many years of fighting and intermarriage, entire cultures like the dravidians were almost entirely wiped out. Also because of such a great emphasis at the beginning with cows, they eventually became a strong part in many vedic beliefs, and in many groups became the icon of their supreme diety, Brahmin.

that is just one simple example, but do you guys know what I mean? It seems that language has a huge impact. Do any of you out there have examples? and what do you guys think?

[nemafakei]

Well, language and culture often have effects upon each other. I wouldn't say language affects culture, however, as much as the other way round.

It's certainly true to say that language reflects culture. Japanese is a perfect example. But throughout most languages, words must evolve to describe and deal with cultural phenomena and forms of social interaction. Culture often forces language to change drastically: not just adding foreign or new words to vocabulary, but sometimes creating and destroying languages: it is for social reasons that ethnic minority languages die out in favour of languages whose knowledge grants more flexibility and economic opportunities to the speaker.

I do agree that in some instances language can have an effect on culture and history. The repression of native languages by various people, notably Franco, served as one focus point for Basque and Catalu

[TMA_1]

hehe yeah barbarios basically referred to other cultures sounding like sheep to the greeks.lol it may be funny to us, but I agree it was not funny to those cultures.

[Caid Ivik]

It is usual giving such weird names to hostile cultures, like "Tatar" ment something like "dog" in chinese, or "Cigan" (Gypsy) is a term derived from urination.