Culture and Communication

Culture is rooted in nonmaterial aspects like language, beliefs, and norms; language is the primary means of communication and perpetuation of culture.
Language is a human universal but varies across cultures; it shapes how we conceive the past, plan for the future, and categorize the world.
Language can affect perception and reality through subtle differences in terms and meanings.

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis argues that language structures thought and shapes how people perceive and categorize reality.
Examples include how terms encode gender, charity vs. love, and the words available to describe experiences.
Language shifts can alter interpretation and understanding of concepts (e.g., gender-neutral terms for God, or different translations of core concepts like love/charity).
The hypothesis is debated, but there is evidence that language influences thought and social perception.

Some words do not translate perfectly across languages; context matters for accurate meaning.
Historical texts (e.g., biblical Greek) show how original terms (e.g., Theo for God) carry gender-neutral implications not always reflected in later translations.
The shift from terms like "minorities" to alternatives (e.g., Black and brown, People of Color, BIPOC) reflects language changing to better reflect realities and avoid implications from older terms.
The term "dreads" vs. "locs" illustrates how labeling affects perception; preferred term is often neutral and respectful ("locs").

Gestures carry different meanings across cultures (e.g., thumbs up, fingers crossed, peace sign, rock on).
Eye contact meanings vary: in the U.S. it often signals attention and respect, but in some Latin American cultures it can be interpreted as disrespect or challenging.
Normal behaviors in one region may be viewed as odd or intrusive in another (e.g., greeting strangers in Southern California vs. other regions).

Values: beliefs about what is right/wrong, good/bad, desirable; they guide norms.
Norms: rules about acceptable behavior; they emanate from a culture’s values.
Examples in the U.S.: value safety -> TSA norms; value privacy -> behaviors like password protection, knocking, and personal space; value individualism -> tolerance for different behaviors.

Laws: formal norms with explicit prohibitions or permissions; legally enforceable (e.g., jaywalking across crosswalks).
Folkways: informal, loosely enforced norms for everyday behavior (e.g., elevator decorum, social expectations).
Mores: norms with great moral significance; violations carry strong social repercussions.
Taboos: norms so strong that thinking about violating them evokes strong disgust or revulsion (e.g., cannibalism, incest).

Norm violations may be forgiven or allowed temporarily in certain times or contexts, called moral holidays.
Examples:
- Mardi Gras: allows public drunkenness, nudity, and other normal violations in that period.
- Spring Break: similar temporary permission in campus/urban contexts.
- Burning Man: temporary cultural norms that permit behaviors outside usual norms.
These holidays reflect context-specific allowances and social negotiation of norms.

People are socialized continually; norm violations are interpreted through age, context, and cultural expectations.
Perceptions of normalcy vary by culture and situation; what is normal in one setting may be abnormal elsewhere.

Always consider cultural context when interpreting symbols, gestures, and language.
Be aware of shifts in terminology to reflect respect and accuracy (e.g., moving away from "minorities" to more precise, inclusive terms).
Recognize that language can shape thought and perception; choose terms thoughtfully.
Understand that norms are layered (laws, folkways, mores, taboos) and can change over time or across communities.