1.2 The Relationship between Language and Culture

　　In the simplest sense, a language is a set of symbols, with rules for combining the symbols, that a language community uses and understand (Samovar & Porter, 2004:69). It is through language that we reach out and make contact with our surrounding realities. And it is through language that we share with others our experiences of that reality (ibid.:72). However, language’s importance in communication is based on the same realities in society which means the same culture. Thus, language and culture is inseparable. Language is a part of culture, a carrier of culture, and a reflection of culture.

　　One of the most important theories concerning the relationship between language and culture is Sapir-Whorf hypothesis:

　　Human beings do not live in the objective world alone, nor alone in the world of social activity as ordinarily understood, but are very much at the mercy of the particular language which has become the medium of expression for their society. It is quite an illusion to imagine that one adjusts to reality essentially without the use of language and that language is merely an incidental means of solving specific problems of communication or reflection. The fact of the matter is the ‘real world’ is to a large extent unconsciously build up on the language habits of the group (Sapir, 1929: 162, cited in Hall 2005).

　　From this theory, it is easily to conclude that language is a unique form of culture. Every different culture nourishes a distinguished language with a different system of symbols. Culture is the basis and one of the most important attributes of language. The formulation and development of a language is dependent on the culture. With the human society develops from time to time, culture changes at the same time. While cultural factors as science, technology, economy and living patterns change, new words, new phrases, new styles will join in the system of language. And then the language will change.

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