Language and Culture
Language is a major element of every culture. Language does more than describe reality; it also serves to shape the reality of a culture. Language influences the way we think about people, ideas, and objects, and it can help to communicate a culture's most important norms, values, and sanctions.
So, can a change in language usage actually change a culture? Possibly. As is the case with English, Swedish had two pronouns to identify the gender of a person, hon (she) and han (he). In 2012, a new pronoun, hen, was introduced. Hen is a nongendered pronoun that can be used on its own or to replace either or both of the gendered pronouns. After initial fits and starts with its usage, the use of the word hen "has smuggled into Swedish society."
Researchers set about to see if the use of hen could contribute to a more equitable society in general. This research is an offshoot of a controversial concept in linguistics-the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis-which posits that the words contained in your language have the ability to frame the way in which you see the world. Read this article and then answer the following questions.
What question is raised by this article about the relationship between language and culture?
Multiple Choice
How can we ensure that the language at our disposal does not influence our opinions?
Is it appropriate to add new words to a language?
How does the language you speak affect how you see the world?
Does language censor the way we express ourselves?
