Modernization and devaluation of language in our culture.
(Assignment-1 …spring -2020)
(March 23, 2020)
BY
Manahil Shafeeq
ROLL # 16031517-003
Language culture and identity
BS (VIII)
Submitted To
Miss Umme Sadia
Centre for language and translation Language
UNIVRSITY OF GUJRAT
Language culture and identity
Modernization and devaluation of language in our culture.
Introduction
Language and culture are intricately related and dependent on each other. Language is formed by culture,
while culture is influenced and impacted by language. Without language, culture cannot be completely
acquired nor can it be effectively expressed and transmitted. Without culture, language cannot exist.
Language express culture. Language is culture specific
Language is set of codes and symbols which is used for communication by humans for the sharing of
ideas and experiences. Language is primary instrument in the expression, transmission and presentation of
a culture. Learning another language or a second language enables us to view the world through another
cultural lens.
Culture is a set of beliefs norms, customs, traditions, and a way of life that differentiate from one group to
another. Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing
language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. The word "culture" derives from a French term,
which in turn derives from the Latin "colere," which means to tend to the earth and grow, or cultivation
and nurture.
Identity Norton (1997) defines identity as, “How people understand their relationship to the outside
world, how that relationship is constructed across time and space, and how people understand their
possibilities for the future”
Language, culture and Identity are dynamic, complex and ongoing processes.
Culture Influence Language Lexicon, grammar rules, codes and rules of linguistic communication are all
entirely formed by cultural elements like natural environment, economic systems, types of social
relationships etc. etc. Cultural premises and rules about speaking are intricately tied up with cultural
conceptions of persons, agency, and social relations.
Language influence culture while on the one hand culture shapes languages, on the other hand language is
also formed by them. Language is the medium of culture. Example: This is clearly seen in immigrant
societies, for example, in America. These immigrants are accustomed to a certain language, and therefore,
despite the assimilation, will continue to use it and keep it alive, creating different and cultured societies
in this foreign land to keep the language alive.
Devaluation of language
The devaluation of language is usually now done by those individuals who have adequate education.
1-Literally
It has become fashionable to use the word ‘literally’ to mean ‘quite a bit’, ‘somewhat’, or ‘not literally’.
You may think that’s fine. You might be happy to read a sportsman, for instance, say “When they scored,
my head literally exploded”. You only wish for that.
2. Gender
The word ‘gender’ is a linguistic term. It does not mean, and cannot stand in for, the word ‘sex’. No one
is of ‘the male gender’. The term is used exclusively to define the gender (not the sex) of words in certain
languages. In French, for instance, the gender of the word table (‘la table’) is feminine. Your girlfriend’s
sex, however, is female.
Using ‘gender’ incorrectly will not mark you as an illiterate, since many respected experts have given in
to popular pressure, not wanting to look old-fashioned. They are cowards.
3. Agreement
An almost equal number of the feeble-minded have concluded that it is now correct to say, for example,
“A person should do what they can”. The argument put forward in defense of this most basic of errors is
that the use of ‘he’ to mean men and women, which has stood for centuries, somehow belittles those of
what proponents of ‘they’ would call the female gender.
What belittles women is the idea that they cannot grasp simple rules of language. If you’re a woman who
is offended by the use of ‘mankind’, ‘manhole’ or ‘chairman’, it won’t help you if the rest of us have to
bow to your insecurities. In fact, we will think less of you for taking offence at a usage that is so
obviously not sexist.
میرا درد سے سر پھٹ جائے گا۔
میں اٹھ کر منہ توڑ دوں گا۔
کچا کھا جاؤں اسکو اگر میرے بس میں ہو۔
These are some dialogues from Pakistani dramas
Modernization of language
Modernization occurs when a language needs to expand its resources to meet
functions. Modernization often occurs when a language undergoes a shift in status, such as when a
country gains independence from a colonial power or when there is a change in the language education
policy
1. Fresh
“I am going to fresh see you after sometime” " " میں فریش ہو کے آتا ہوں۔in this sentence the word “fresh” is
used in both Urdu and English because in Urdu we don’t have a word for “Fresh”. That’s why we need to
modernize the Urdu language.
2. Shampoo
Shampoo your hairs daily. بالوں کو روزانہ شیمپو کریں the word shampoo have no Urdu concept so the
whole concept is modernized in urdu.
3. Nai:نائی
It means “barber” and usually used in India and Pakistan. It is already added to Oxford dictionary too for
the modernization of language.
Languages are changed due to many reasons such as cultural influence, interests of a nation, scientific
research, interaction with other nations, psychological influence and many more aspects help language
grow and change itself day to day.
