LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 14:12 December 2014
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
         C. Subburaman, Ph.D. (Economics)
         N. Nadaraja Pillai, Ph.D.
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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Copyright © 2014
M. S. Thirumalai
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Learning a New Language Is Learning a New Culture

Ms. Shyinthavy Parameswaran, B.A. (Hons.) in English Literature

Abstract

This article is intended to explore how language and culture are interwoven and their mutual impact on each other. Language can be viewed as a vehicle for exhibiting world culture. It is a well-known fact that for international peace, unity and harmony, appreciation and recognition of each other’s culture is important. Culture may be prone to change, owing to new scientific discoveries, and technological inventions and conceptual innovations the world witnesses, almost every day. Different communities using different languages follow different cultural practices.

Key Words: Linguistic Competence, Communicative Competence, Cultural Value, Culture Shock, ESL (English as a Second Language)

Introduction

Among the different means of communication, such as gestures, facial expressions and body language, language is the most effective. Language is used to fulfill the human needs, facilitate human activities and express human thoughts and imaginations. Mankind is also well informed of various cultures different communities embrace in the world. Culture which is an integral part of language learning sometimes fades into the background of in the language classes in Sri Lanka. Communication is an interrelationship between a language and its people and if cultural information is not taught as a part of communicative competence, complete communication cannot happen. Since English has emerged as the chief medium of international communication in Sri Lanka, there is an inevitable need for proficiency in English to communicate with people of other countries. Whenever two people from different cultures meet and use English to communicate with each other, they will use it in culturally distinct ways. Hence it is clear that teaching intercultural interaction competence in English may well be among the most significant understandings of the future. It implies that culture should be integrated to the teaching of all language skills in the English language classroom so that learners can learn to speak, but also write, in culturally appropriate ways for specific purposes.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.


Ms. Shyinthavy Parameswaran, B.A. (Hons.)
Lecturer
ELTC
University Of Jaffna
Jaffna
Sri Lanka
shyintha@yahoo.com
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