Language and Culture Discussion – Description
Learning Goals
We are learning to:
analyze the relationship between language and culture
determine the roles language and culture play in shaping each other
analyze the significance of language to culture
View the information on languages here: Language and culture when you are done, watch the Ted Talk “Don’t Insist on English” and then read the article article Losing Languages. When you are done, answer the questions below.
Watch Patricia Ryan’s TED talk: “Don’t insist on English!” below:
Why is language vital to cultural and national identity? (2 marks)
How does it unify people? (2 marks)
How might it separate them? (2 marks)
How is your own language a reflection of your own personal culture? (2 marks)
Consider what languages you speak and what cultural significance do they have to you? If you only speak English, what discourses do you regularly use when communicating with different people? (3 marks)
Why does Patricia Ryan believe that losing languages is a problem? Provide at least two reasons to support your answer. (2 marks)
What are the reasons that Patricia Ryan thinks requiring students to pass the TOEFL is a bad idea? (2 marks)
Some people feel that having just one or a couple of languages in the world would be beneficial in today’s global society and would help unify people across the world. Do you agree with this viewpoint, or do you think it is important to preserve language as much as possible? Explain. (3 marks)
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