Discussion about relationship between culture and language

[leave me alone]

Hi ...
Today I would ask you in point of view .....
what is the relationship between culture and language ?
in my opinion ... I read many answers about this question . and many of answers were good ... generally speaking my opinion in this topic is It is

generally agreed that language and culture are closely related. Language can be viewed as a verbal expression of culture. It is used to maintain and convey culture and cultural ties. Language provides us with many of the categories we use for expression of our thoughts, so it is therefore natural to assume that our thinking is influenced by the language which we use. The values and customs in the country we grow up in shape the way in which we think to a certain extent.
I am waiting your opinion

[Tdol]

You say it is natural to assume this, but there are different views on the issue- the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis and linguistic relativism remains a controversial subject. These things are linked, but how much and in which ways they influence each other are not so clear that you can make that assumption IMO. I do believe that language influences the way we think, but I think you need to examine it rather than assume it as a starting position.

[5jj]

These things are linked, but how much and in which ways they influence each other are not as clear as you say IMO.

I would go even further than that:

These things may be linked, but how much and in which ways they influence each other are nowhere near as clear as you say, IMO.

[bhaisahab]

The Irish language is interesting; the way to say hello/good morning etc when meeting someone is "Dia dhuit", which means literally "God (be) with you", the response to which is " Dia is Mhuire dhuit" [God and Mary (be) with you]. I don't know how much their use influences a person's thinking butt he language hasn't developed any other way to greet somebody.

[5jj]

The Irish language is interesting; the way to say hello/good morning etc when meeting someone is "Dia dhuit", which means literally "God (be) with you", the response to which is " Dia is Mhuire dhuit" [God and Mary (be) with you]. I don't know how much their use influences a person's thinking butt he language hasn't developed any other way to greet somebody.

Such expressions almost certainly tell us something about the past of the society in they are now used, but it's difficult to judge whether they have any influence on the way people think nowadays. 'Goodbye' was originally 'God be with you'; it's interesting that the Irish use it on meeting and we use it on parting. Most native speakers of English are probably unaware of the original form, so we can't draw any conclusions from that. The use of 'for God's/Christ's sake' by somebody who is frustrated, or 'God knows' by someone who does not know the answer, does not mean that the speaker is a believer, any more than 'Don't tempt fate/providence' implies a belief in those ideas.

[birdeen's call]

And a French person doesn't have to believe in God to say, "Adieu!" There are many examples. They've become almost obsolete in my language.

[5jj]

They've become almost obsolete in my language.

Antediluvian, almost. And no, I don't believe in the biblical flood.

[bhaisahab]

Antediluvian, almost. And no, I don't believe in the biblical flood.

Yes, that was my point about Irish, those expressions are not obsolete and have not been changed as they have in English and, apparently, in Polish. Of course, Irish is a minority language and, as such, hasn't been subject to the degree of development that, for example, English has.

[Tdol]

I would go even further than that:

These things may be linked, but how much and in which ways they influence each other are nowhere near as clear as you say, IMO.

Probably, and the links would need to be examined and not assumed.

[Taniela]

I strongly believe there is a strong link between language and culture. Language tells you the importance of time in a language...tenses tell us how every culture value actions...Most non western cultures simply have past, present and future...no other progressive or perfect tenses...pronouns...the sentence order etc...tells alot what a culture values....