IDS 159 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Language Change, Appalachian Mountains, Endogamy
8 Oct 2018
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Document Summary
Ids 159 lecture 13 linguistic diversity. Language differences: language is a system of conventional spoken or written symbols used by people in a shared culture to communicate with each other. Genetically from a common ancestral language: the broadest grouping of languages is the language family. Language & culture: language is more than means of communication; it is used to socialize children into their linguistic/cultural community, languages serve as a focal point for cultural identity. It provides a common bond and connection for individuals with the same linguistic heritage: different languages present different social realities, most cultures in the world remain entirely oral. Language is the storehouse and the only window onto the collective history of a community. When these languages disappear, so does a wealth of knowledge about a community: people exhibit cultural similarities and differences related to language, as well as to gender, class, ethnicity, religion, exceptionalities, and age. Language usage is culturally determined: language is very much cultural.
