Vol. 7(9), pp.
312-316, December 2019
DOI: 10.14662/IJELC2019.220 International Journal of
Copy© right 2019
Author(s) retain the copyright of this article English Literature and
ISSN: 2360-7831 Culture
http://www.academicresearchjournals.org/IJELC/Index.htm
Full Length Research
Language as a Tool for Cultural Transition
Justina Lere Charles-Zalakoro
Department of Arts Education, Faculty of Education, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma
Bayelsa State. E-mail:
[email protected] Accepted 5 December 2019
Sociolinguistics and anthropology strongly holds that the development of a second language is
inseparable from its socio-cultural context “second language learning is often a second cultural
learning”. This study looks at the concept of culture, language as culture, the relationship between
language and language as a tool for cultural transition. Second language teachers should identify them
cultural items in every aspect of the language that they teach. Cultural issues should be made an
inherent part of the curriculum because culture is the foundation of language development and
Teachers should know the background knowledge of the culture of the language they teach.
Key words: Language, Culture and Transition.
Cite This Article As: Charles-Zalakoro DL (2019). Language as a Tool for Cultural Transition. Inter. J. Eng. Lit.
Cult. 7(9): 312-316
INTRODUCTION may be communicated from one person to another.
Through language the experience of one individual may
Language as human and social phenomenon has be transmitted into the experience of another: thereby
continued to attract the attention of scholars in and allowing the second to learn from the first without having
outside the field of linguistics and language studies, to undergo the same experience directly with self. Since
(Anthonia, 2007). We may define language as a system language provide symbols to represent conceptual ideas,
of social conventions that specify particular relationship they permit ideas to the hypostasize by the means that
between a set of particular set of ideas. Verbal symbols words can be brought out of the privacy of subjective
are of particular interest in studying the role of language experiences and in symbolic from where they can be
in human behavior. The symbols are of particular interest placed. In common domain where they are accessible
in studying the role of language in human behaviour. The others, for instance, verbal labels allow ideas to be
symbols include both utterance-spoken speech and communicated to others who have adopted the same set
graphics patterns written words. Other symbols may also of linguistic convictions as the speaker. With this,
serve to represent ideas artistes use as language of form, language permits the exchange of the idea between one
colour, and texture to represent ides abstractly, and in individual and another. In this way language facilitates
human behavior facial expressions, gesture and even the transmission of cultural ideas, beliefs, and values
posture may symbolize particular ideas language in a over both time and pace, [Jonah 2008.] As a cultural
system of conventional symbols which are not instinctive product, language plays a crucial role in the perpetuation
and used for communication for member of a community. of cultural traditions over time, and in the spread of
This definition has succeeded in saying that language is culture spatially through cultural diffusion.
human. No other primate use language.
Language is a means by which ideas and experience
Charles-Zalakoro 313
Language as a Tool for Cultural Transition systematic means of communicating ideas or feeling by
the use of conventionalized signs, sounds, gestures, or
Language as Culture marks having understood meanings including rules for
the formation and transformation of admissible
Language is probably the most influential factor in the expression, (Zalakoro, 2016). According to Zalakoro
dynamic interrelationship between cultures. If cultures is language is a purely human and non-instinctive method
not only what we see, but also the way we see it and the of communicating ideas, emotions, and desires by means
language we express it, culture cannot whereby be of a system of voluntarily produced symbols. These
regarded as a body of knowledge which can be symbols are in the first instance, auditory and they are
transmitted o learners by the teachers or text books. produced by the so-called “organs of speech”. These
Culture can be seen as a web of spoken and written, text definitions go to show that language is essentially vocal
a linguistic landscape consisting of an infinite number of and non-vocal and is used for communication.
texts, language is not only communication, but also an It includes any and every means available to humans for
expression of culture. It differs from other artifacts of communication. In this sense, language is not an end to
culture in that it can be used to express itself Zalakoro, itself but a means to an end, namely; that of fulfilling the
[2016], assert what; communicative needs of man. It is for this that
Anyadiegwu and Nzekwu (2105) subscribe that any
Indeed for any is not a means of communication means that is conventially meaning laden, available to
and a symbol of integration in a given culture, of man and used by him to convey his thoughts and notions,
a conception of the world, a system values and as well as help him understand his fellow men and his
ways of living in a society and of a series of world, is language. From the above definitions, Zalakoro
achievement in many domains ranging from (2016) identified ten characteristics of language as a
science and technology to law and different art system; human language is learned, acquire through
forms. cultural transmission. Speakers of one language can
learn another is discrete- - language consists of minimal
Language makes it possible for man to transmit units.
knowledge across space and time. It is the key to the
heart of the people. Any speech community of even ---is recombinable these minimal units can combine in
moderate complexity reveals several varieties of infinite varieties.
language, all of which are functionally differentiated from
each other. In some cases the varieties may represent Is interchangeable_ any speaker potentially can
different occupation or interest specialization and, there create and utter any message?
contain vocabulary pronunciations and phraseology Is reflexive – people can talk about language;
which are not generally used or even known throughout language has the ability to refer to itself.
the broader speech community. Through teaching and Is arbitrary- meaning depends on arbitrary
through text book tasks the visibility of language and text association of meaning with sign or symbol on
is preserved. In other words, all aspects of written or conventions shared by sender and receiver of
spoken text are made visible in the classroom. The text message?
as a whole, as an entity of form and content in the “carrier --Is redundant- language contains redundant
and expression of culture, these include authentic texts, communicative elements (message may be
where the learner encounters language as culture i.e. conveyed or reinforced twice in same utterance).
spoken texts, written texts of different genres, painting, --Can displace- language can convey imagination
(Zalakoro, 2016). distant, past, present, future, conjectural and or
counterfactual statement (including lies).
Language
Concept of Culture
Language is the method of human communication either
spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a The concept of culture seems to be nebulous, because
structured and conventional way, (English) (Zalakoro, of the variety of definitions associated with it. However,
2016). Language is a system of communication by the study of human society would not be easy without
speaking or written, or even making signs in a way that understanding the concept of culture. Thus, the study of
can be understood. It is any of the different system of culture in unavoidable, inevitable and indispensable, the
communication used in particular regions; it means universe is an expression and diversity of humankind
words, their pronunciation, and method of combing them which do not imply uniform pattern of behaviors,
used and understood by a community. Language is a (Zalakoro 2016).
314 Inter. J. Eng. Lit. Cult.
According to Sibiri (2014) the scientific meaning of total of the material and intellectual equipment, whereby
culture is not restrictive and narrow but general and wide they are satisfied with their biological and social needs
in space, this wide and extended meaning of culture still and adapt to using them in their environment. This means
leads to diverse definitions of culture by scholars that culture is all that is in society, which is socially rather
depending on what each scholar wants to emphasize. than biologically transmitted from one generation to
Taylor (as cited in Sibiri (2014) defines culture as a another, finally Ingiabuna saw culture as;
complex whole which include knowledge, beliefs, arts, A concept that makes language the tool, by which man
morals, laws, customs and any other capabilities and can make a living, the creative arts by which they attempt
habits acquired by man as a member of society. This to make life agreeable, and the symbols of ideas by
definition is acceptable amongst anthropologists and which they seek to give conduct and give meaning to life.
sociological scholars. Anthropology as a discipline From the various definition discussed above; it could be
defined as the science of man has had to deal with seen that culture cannot be meaningful outside a group.
definitional problems and conceptual issues that are vital
to the comprehensive and authoritative study of its
subject man. One of these concepts is ‘culture’ which in The relationship between language and culture
fact is the bedrock of anthropological studies. While some
scholar have ‘primitive’ and ‘civilized’ relationship, other The acquisition of another language, offers an
have simply attempted to be use clusters of words to individual the opportunity not only to become part of
capture their view of the attribute of a ‘’culture’, another group but also to identify with a culture different
(Ingiabuna 2002; 3). from his own. Zalakoro, (2016) supports this view of point
Etymological origin of the word ‘culture’ the word stating that; culture is a deeply ingrained part of the fiber
‘culture’ has its roots in the Latin word colere which of our being and, language being means of
means “to cultivate”, literally, therefore, the word “culture” communication among members of a culture is the most
means “the cultivation of or constant exhibition of certain viable and available expression of that culture.
traits, acts, etc. this can be likened to the “ideas of Second language learning in some respect involves
cultivating one’s self in an effort to attain the wisdom acquisition of a second identity. The successful language
which was found in Greek through the ideas that human learner is able to take on the ‘mindset’ of the speakers of
beings can become themselves. Iniabuna (2003) defines the target language though not, of course without
culture as that complex whole which includes ‘knowledge, reservations that is consistent with their own mindsets.
belief, arts, morals, law, custom and any other They should relate language to culture if a coordinate
capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of system is to result from the learners efforts, (Richard and
a society. This definition is often quoted for its clarity and Lawrence 2013; 12).
brevity. It implies that culture and civilization are the Nonetheless, the profound relationship between
same, it could be inferred than man acquired or received language and the culture is neither simplistic nor
the knowledge he/she utilize in daily activities; these automatic, nor does it lend itself to straight forwards point
activities cannot function well without the use of by point analysis. The complexity is such that people with
language. The belief and the interpretation Ingiabuna similar culture can use language which is very different
(2003) gave to the world around him, laws he has to obey while on the other hand one language may serve as a
and customs which are the rationalized behavior pattern mean of expression for a great variety of learning and
of his social milieu and all the capabilities such as cultural learning, one need to understand the nature of
occupation and habits in a particular society which avails acculturation, culture shock, culture stereotype, attitudes
with the opportunity to learn and use this acts to meet the and social distance; (Adebayo, 2014)
challenges of his society. Things e has to learn and use
as a member of is society, constitute the culture of that
society. Language as a Tool for Cultural Transmission
Culture is everything passed down in human society,
except its biology, language, technology, law, belief, Emphasis on the teaching and learning of o the
customs and moral standard, Sibiri (2014). Sibiri clearly language, English language has shifted over time from
explains that culture is concomitant with the ideas and grammatical competence to communicative competence,
knowledge learnt from the society around but, excluding which of late has come to include cultural competence to
ideas or knowledge that are generally acquired. Similarly, its scope, ( Zalakoro, 2016). Language is fundamental to
Ingiabuna (2014) saw culture as the total ways of life man’s existence, it is employed for communication. The
characteristics of members of a society including tools, context of communication varies and as such, the
knowledge and patterned way of thinking are learned and language for this different context of communication
shared among the people and not the direct biological varies because every language is part of a culture,
inheritance. And he further defined culture as the sum therefore it serves and reflects the cultural needs.
Charles-Zalakoro 315
Teaching culture is considered important by most learning and teaching. As so, foreign language is a
teachers but it has remained sporadic and substantial in cultural heritage hat we should protect and a practice
most teachers’, language classroom, (Maduewesi and actively of culture on which we read focus, which
Amaka 2016). It is clear that cultural background contains a rich cultural connotation and values of
knowledge is necessary in language teaching as the academic research, (Maduewesi and Amaka 2016). The
research between language and culture deepens, people influence of language to culture transmission can be seen
have realized the necessity of teaching language into in the following ways;
language learning; the cultural factors becomes more and
more important in English teaching. (i). Cultural context underlies the varieties of
Language is a thing to be studied but a way of seeing, languages. The vocabularies of a language highlight this
understanding and communicating about the things of the aspect of culture is important to the social members, such
world and each language user uses his/her language as ‘snow’ to Eskimos and ‘blood relations’ to Chinese.
differently to do this. Traditionally, language is viewed as There are many specific words for the word Eskimos to
a code, and in this view language is made of words and a describe heavy snow or light snow. Also the Eskimos
series of rules that connect words together. Learning have words to describe the snow in different shape just
language as a complex, personal communication system as Chinese ‘blood relations’ cannot be explained clearly
involves ongoing investigation of language as a dynamic through addressing aunt or uncle.
system of the way it works to create and covey meaning. (ii). Different approach to life of people of different
This involves learners’ analysis and talking analytically cultures brings about different denotative meaning of
and language. This learners are involved in learning words such as peasant, intellectual, human right
which prompt exploration and discovery rather than only comrade, etc. as well as different connotative meaning of
being recipients of knowledge as it is transmitted to them words, such as colours, trees and flowers in different
by others. The learners require learning skills which will languages.
give them independence as users and analyzers of (iii). The culture of philosophy and religion can deeply
language. Therefore, culture should be considered as an affect the language of the native for example, in African/
integral part of the study on language, Ajogbor, 2014. Nigerian philosophy “heaven” is above everything and its
Culture is the sum of material and spiritual civilization dominating power, so there are a lot of expectations
created throughout the human history, its creation is when it comes to “heaven” in African/Nigerian sayings.
inseparable from language, which the language While the counterpart of “heaven” in the West is either
development can be altered as its culture develops. The ‘God’ or ‘Jesus’. Different culture posses’ different taboos
two, however, they complement each other in perfect which give rise to different euphemism in African/Nigerian
harmony, evidently, it is what people believe, how they and English there are many words to replace “to die”, yet
act and interact and the way they live, with specific traits, each demonstrating different beliefs or conception.
behavior, attitude, and tradition passed down from In fact, it is different for culture to be transmitted from
generation to generation of families. Understanding the place to place and from generation to generation if there
nature of the relationship between language and culture were no language. Moreover, language will be difficult to
is central to the process of learning another language. In be understood without constant reference to the cultural
actual language use, it is language in it cultural context context which has produced it, because it is the product
that create meaning; creating and interpreting meaning id of the culture and it embodies the products, practice
done within a cultural framework. In language learning perspectives, communities and persons of a culture,
classroom, learners need to engage with the ways in (Maduewesi and Amaka 2016). Member of the culture
which context affects how and what is communicated. have created the language to carry out all their cultural
Both the learner’s culture and the culture which meaning practices, to identify and organize their entire product and
is created or communicated have an influence on the the name the underlying cultural perspectives in all the
ways in which possible meaning are understood. The various communities that comprise their culture. The
context is not a single culture as both the target language words of the language, its expressions, structures,
and culture and the learner’s own language and culture sounds and scripts reflect the culture, just as the cultural
are simultaneously present and can simultaneously products and practices reflect the language.
engaged. Learning to communicate in an additional
language involves developing an awareness of the ways
in which culture interrelate with language whenever it is CONCLUSIONS
used.
The reality, language is a sort of cultural heritage. This Understanding the cultural context of day-to-day
is culture plays an important role in language. As a close conversational conventions such as greetings farewells,
relationship exists between language, culture and foreign forms of address, thanking, making requests, and giving
language teaching, they are inseparable during language or receiving compliments means more than just being
316 Inter. J. Eng. Lit. Cult.
able to produce grammatical sentences; it means Anthonia, M.N. (2007). Principles and English practices
knowing what is appropriate to say to whom, and in what of teaching as a second language. Lagos: Vitaman
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values represented between the various forms and usage Inguanbuna; E.T. (2104). Principles of kinship, descent
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Ituen, S.A.U. (1998). Teaching secondary level English:
RECOMMENDATIONS Port Harcourt, abicom educational service and
publications.
From the discussion above, some recommendation are Maduewesi B, and Amaka, E. (2016). Culture teaching
made, they are: methods and strategies in language education,
language education, arts and social science education
(i). Second language teachers should identify them in Nigeria. Port Harcourt, global academic group online
cultural items in every aspect of the language that they academic resource.
teach. Mgbo-Elue, C.N. (1981) “WAZOBIA”: can this solve the
(ii). Cultural issues should be made an inherent part of national language problem in Nigeria? Journal of
the curriculum because culture is the foundation of language arts and communication. 2 (3&4).
language development. Richard, C.O. and Lawrence, N.E. (2013). Concept of
(iii). Teachers should know the background knowledge of culture; Nigerian people and culture. Enugu: new
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Sibiri, E.A.(2014). Culture as fabric at human society,
notable selection in the peoples and cultures of Nigeria.
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