Language and CultureMerica McNeilPh.D. Candidate in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching

Brief Introductions

Your name1 sentence about yourself/your interests

Reflection questions

1. What does "culture" mean to you? Explain and give examples.

2. When learning a foreign language, how important is culture?

Do you think language and culture are related? Why or why not? Explain.

3. How can you learn about another culture?

4. How do you greet people in English? How it is different when you talk to different people?

5. How do people greet each other in a language you study or know?

6. What are some different varieties of English?Which one is the best? Why?Why do some language varieties have more prestige than others?

7. What are factors that influence language variation?

8. Do you know anything about varieties of the language you are learning? If so, briefly share. If not, how can you learn about language variation of your target language?

9. Lisa Delpit refers to language as "the skin that we speak." Do you think this is a good metaphor? Why or why not? Amazon Google Book

10. Is it important to be sensitive to cultural differences and language variety? Why or why not?

11. Some people say that Americans don't have culture. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Explain.

Iceberg activity: Individual culture

Have you heard the expression "it's just the tip of the iceberg?" What does this mean?

Instructions:Quickly draw an iceberg on a sheet of paper (see example).On the top of the iceberg, write down observable cultural traits about yourself (e.g., behavior, family, profession, hobbies). On the bottom portion, write down non-observable cultural traits about yourself (e.g., values, beliefs, likes/dislikes).

Application

Think of a language or culture that you are familiar with. Now imagine somebody needs your help learning to adapt that culture. Choose one important cultural aspect to explain to help that person avoid a cultural misunderstanding.

Conclusion

"The Link between Language and Culture"

Linguaculture

Why important?