Culture and Communication Essay

According to mod research done in the field of linguistics and cognitive science, the balance is starting to tilt once again in favor of linguistic relativity. This concept proposes that there is a opinionated kin between the nature of the vocabulary a psyche speaks and the office the person studys the world. Although, it is still not known how much see delivery wields over ideal, it is now agreed that it does affect the way we perceive and understand the world. At an exclusive level, we take for granted the part wording plays in our thought processes. exactly, every time we formulate a thought, we almost subconsciously express it in a tongue we are most at rest with. Langu develop has, over our growth period (especi altogethery the formative early childishness years), become intertwined without cognitive faculties. A majority of our thoughts and memories employ language as an expression tool. As much(prenominal)(prenominal), one must agree that it most influence our thought processes to a certain extent. The intricate features of any language much(prenominal) as grammar and the role of gender to play a signifi backt role on how we perceive the world.Although this influence plays a lesser role when it comes to tangibles ilk objects for instance, it does rescue a signifi trampt influence on abstract concepts such as time, space and even political concepts. For example, Dan Slobin of the University of California in Berkeley tells us in Alison Motluks article You Are What You Speak that while a third of the worlds languages describe locations in absolute terms, umpteen Pacific Islanders use phrases such as north of that tree. benjamin Whorf, one of the pioneers of linguistic relativity, in his famous analysis of the differences between slope and Hopi language, claimed that a Hopi speaker would find relativistic physics easier to understand that an side of meat speaker cod to the structure of Hopi language. This casefult of language becomes even more(prenominal)(prenominal) important when it comes to worldview and religion. As both of them are in essence, abstract concepts, it whoremaster be understood that language does have a signifi rout outt relationship with them. One slew for instance compare how the same religion is taken by groups with different languages.Also, once we consider the use of metaphors in languages, we dismiss see how they relate to flocks culture. As the worldview of a hatful is formed due to the deald experience of a people and the overlap of this unique experience largely employs language, it quarter be understood that language wields an influence over it. Couplight-emitting diode with the effect of language on an individual basis, one can clearly see the significance a persons language plays on not only his/her own thought processes, but on the formulation of grander systems of thought. Therefore, one can conclude that language helps shape a peoples worldview and their understanding of religion.The diversification in religion can then potentially create new religions due to conflicts with other prevalent interpretation. The extent of languages influence can still be argued and should be argued until a conclusion can be reached. But all languages in gen seasonl should be preserved as we never know when a particular languages keenness might come in handy for resolving modern problems. How has the earnings changed global communication? What effect might this have on cross- pagan communication? The profits probably ranks among one of greatest inventions man has but made.A relatively young invention, it has revolutionized global communication, and yet, its true potential form to be seen. It has transcended geographical borders and provided people with a forum to convey their thoughts to the world, unfiltered and unregulated. It has led to the rise of new social groups, ones which have no need for proximity, and given over rise to whole new cultures. Although global communication has existed for centuries, never sooner has it been observed at such an unprecedented scale. With the advent of the profit, rapid cultivation sharing became possible and at virtually no cost.Today, one can find material of any nature on the internet and can regain it almost anywhere in the world. One can share information of any nature, be it audio or video or plain text. The fact that its unregulated allows people to channel their thoughts in the purest form possible. Social networking sites have created new online societies with their own set of rules and cultures. second gear messaging has provided us with a facility to engage in sure time conversations with people from halfway across the world. Used in coincidence with webcams and microphones, we have in essence, the next best thing to face to face conversation.As such, one can see that we are witnessing a new chapter in cross-cultural communication. The internet has the potential to bring people toget her, from diverse backgrounds, and to promote understanding regardless of geographical, religious, political and ethnic division. One can interact with people at an individual level and due to the Brobdingnagian spectrum of opinions that the internet holds, one can form a more indifferent(p) worldview. Hence, in theory, the internet should usher in a new age of global understanding and ultimately form a global worldview.But there still is a catch to it all. Yes, in theory this should all be true, but there still are factors that hamper us all from achieving this. These begin with our own preconceived notions. The internet contains a circumstances of unregulated information. How do we decide what is true? We use our preconceived notions and wherefore keep our limited understanding of the world. Furthermore, the internet provides a highly selective information and communication tool, meaning that a person can adopt what he/she wants to access and who he/she wants to talk to.Furt hermore, the vast majority of people in the world still lack access to the internet and of those that have access to it, a large number still lacks unregulated access. For example, countries such as China monitor internet content and limit access to sites which carry inappropriate material. As such, the internet is still far outside from stretch its true potential. But this is no cause to lose hope. The internet is still in its infancy and it still has a masses more avenues to explore.Also, if one is to consider the rate at which the internet has grown so far, one can conclude that it will grow a lot faster in the future. Perhaps ultimately, the internet will truly allow us share our thoughts worldwide and finally transcend language and cultural barriers. If so, we can then truly reach a new era of global understanding and perhaps, create more than a global worldview we can create a collective consciousness. In conclusion, the internet is an extremely hefty tool for global commu nication and will have far reaching consequences on cross-cultural communication.Works Cited 1. Motluk, Alison. You Are What You Speak. New Scientist. 30 Nov. 2002 34-38 2. Carroll, throne B. The Relation Of Habitual Thought And Behavior. Language, Thought, and Reality Selected Writings of Benjamin leeward Whorf. 1997 3. Lakoff, George and Johnson, Mark. Metaphors We Live By. 1980 4. Cass, Stephen. How Much Does The Internet Weigh? Discover Magazine. June 2007 5. DEmanuele, Antony. The Internet A global communication tool International Pharmacy Journal. 1995 68-72