Introduction to Language, Culture, and Society

Flashcards summarizing key concepts related to language, culture, and society, including definitions and important terms.

Language

A system of communication that uses symbols—spoken, written, or signed—to convey meaning and shape social interactions.

Culture

Shared beliefs, values, customs, practices, and artifacts that characterize a group or society, shaping interactions and knowledge transmission.

Phonology

The study of sounds in language.

Syntax

The structure of sentences and the rules governing sentence formation.

Semantics

The meaning of words and sentences.

Pragmatics

The social use of language in context.

Sociolinguistics

The study of how language varies across different social contexts, groups, and regions.

Norms and Values

Social rules and accepted behaviors, as well as what is considered important or desirable.

Social Institution

Established patterns of behavior and systems that organize society, such as family, education, and government.

Social Stratification

The hierarchical organization of society based on factors such as class, race, ethnicity, and power.

Socialization

The lifelong process through which individuals learn the norms, values, and behaviors appropriate to their society.

Linguistic Imperialism

The belief that some languages are superior to others, contributing to social inequalities.

Bilingualism

The ability to speak and understand two languages.

Multilingualism

The ability to speak and understand multiple languages.

Cultural Anthropology

A field that studies cultural variation among humans, focusing on social practices and beliefs.

Linguistic Anthropology

A subfield of anthropology that studies how language influences social life.