Culture and Language
Defining Culture
Earlham has its own handshake, we all listen to basically the same music… either country or rap and people either love to watch the sports or they don't. It is mostly a christian school and we mostly have the same beliefs. We are known for our good lunches and most people eat the lunch. Also, everyone saying “The School will pay for it” from Spencer Bean. We all like mostly the same food, rice Krispies, Casey's pizza, Pancheros and subway.
What is culture and where does culture come from?
Culture is where you come from. It is who made you who you are. It is the things that you do and have done for as long as you remember. The characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people. Culture comes from the people who are around you and who you spend time with. How they act defines how you act and what they do is what you will do most likely.
What role does it play in our lives and in society?
Who we hang out with defines us and changes our habits. In society, sometimes we are introduced to new religions and maybe sometimes that could change our beliefs. It changes our opinion of other people's cultures. It could make us like them or it could make us not.
What does culture mean in a global world?
Culture around the globe is the different ways people live. Their culture could change their clothes, school, religion and the way they act. You are open to new cultures and religion, but most people won't change their culture. Culture also makes you realize what people you like, most likely you will surround and hangout with people who have the same culture as you, just because you guys have the same similarities and agree on things.
Does globalization bring cultures together, force them further apart, or both?
I think in some cases it brings it together and in some cases it brings them apart. Globalization opens your eyes to a lot of new cultures but it could also make you realize that your culture is the one that you want to live by.
What is the relationship between culture and language?
Language is just one part of culture. Culture is everything. Your culture comes from what language you speak. Whatever language you are born into, you will start living that culture. When you speak a certain language, it's hard to spread culture when you don't know the language, so language is kind of like a barrier.
How does one organize languages?
Languages are organized into Families, branches and groups. You are most likely to hangout with the people who speak the same language as you and that how the society has naturally organized people.
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How does the use of language represent the broader notion of national or cultural identity?
People keep their local languages and smaller languages because a culture's identity is automatically combined with its local language. There is so many cultures within english language because it is one of the biggest languages, that there has been smaller cultures within english language because people want to make it their own.
Why is language vital to cultural and national identity?
Most of the nation speaks english, so when people come to the US they should know that they will most likely be running into people speaking English. As a nation, we have an identity of speaking English. What language you speak depends on what culture you're in, so cultural identity is important because, someone who speaks English probably won't living or doing Indian or African Cultures, unless it is your culture.
How does it unify people? How might it separate them?
It unifies people who speak the same language and it separates people who don't speak the same language. So if you speak the same language, you might not get along, but at least you can communicate and you have something in common. It might separate you from people who don't speak the same language because you can't communicate at all. If you are in a foreign country and you don't speak the same language as the number one language, then it will be hard to communicate with people.
How does slang language affect culture?
Some places call things different things, for example, some places call things Toboggans as hats. When we think of toboggans we think of sleds. We also call Soda “Pop” and some places call it “Coke”. Different slang that different people use is fun to compare. It's so interesting to see what other people back, because everyone thinks its normal what they say. So when you meet someone new with different slang, it’s fun to compare slang and cultures.
Explain how are religions organized?
There are 5 major religions. Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism. They are organized into 3 major parts and areas: Europe, Africa and Asia. There are littler sects and groups within these religions but these are the world's major religions.
What are universalizing religions and ethnic religions? Why does one reach more people than the other?
Universalizing religions is attempting to be global by appealing to all people no matter what. An example of this would be like a christian group of people feeding an Islam group of people. Ethnic Religions would be appealing only to one group of people in one place. Example would be a group of christians only helping other christians
When you compare major religions, what are 3-5 commonalities?
Whatever God they believe in, they all believe that God is the father and who you always should look to. They all like their group and have a sense of community. They want to help other people usually, especially in their religious group. They all like traditions to be passed down, and rituals to carry on.
Why Do Territorial Conflicts Arise among Religious Groups?
Most people in every religion think that theirs or what they believe is the best. There are conflicts because they disagree. There is also conflict because some religions like Islam who read their Holy Book exactly how it is written, word for word. Where like Christianity reads between the lines in the Bible and gets the goof out of it.
What is the role of women in most religions? Why is so different than men?
Women don't have as much power in religion as men. Women usually don't or in some cases cant take the priest or rabbi role for the main person in a church. Women do have rights, just usually not as many as men.
