The Nature of Culture
Definition of culture according to Alvard
Socially transmitted information
The most traditional linguistic theory
Many words, particularly in the technical or scientific fields have this specific knowledge
Culture-independent
Features that modify or reshape the meaning of similar words in different languages
Culture-dependent lexical
Explain the meaning of words and sometimes their cultural implications
Monolingual dictionaries
Connected to and dependent on the set of beliefs and behaviour which define specific groups of people.
Culture
This elaboration is complete when the speaker has decided to select specific words
The elaboration of messages in communication
What is one way historical linguistics studies the cultural features of a society?
By a society
The most serious problem we detect when comparing or translating languages.
Semantic asymmetry or anisomorphism
Aim at ‘reaching full communicative potential in the language learned’
Learners of a second/foreign language
Who took the term “Culture” as a set of human behaviour patterns, characteristic of each one of the many groups that form human society in general?
Anthropologists
The activated meaning of ___________ does not always results from an autonomous and word-based process.
polysemous words
How have dictionaries traditionally approached the cultural dimension of words?
Dictionaries have primarily focused on linguistic aspects, often overlooking the cultural significance of words.
The lack of equivalence among languages is due to:
Culture-dependent lexical features, different conceptualization of reality and absence or presence of some concepts in one language
Users of bilingual dictionaries and specialized bilingual dictionaries
Learners of a second language
One of the most important elements of culture
Language
________ have thoroughly studied the connotative meaning of words.
Lexicologists
What are some examples of words that are considered culture-independent, according to the text?
Examples include currency, electronics, telefax, subpoena, martial law, and lactose, as they refer to things or facts not subject to change across cultures.
An obstacle to studying, comparing and contrasting languages and the cultures that lie behind them.
Lack of communication among languages and their speakers
Derives and from and reveals the structure of organization of knowledge
Vocabulary of a special field in a particular language
It is an adjective used to describe the term culture, referred to the increasing by successive additions
Cumulative
________ are excellent exponents of the degree of dependency and the relationships between language and culture.
Connotations
Why does the evolution of languages correlate with the evolution of human groups, as mentioned in the text?
Because it is influenced by environmental factors and survival needs.
An obstacle for studying and understanding different perspectives and points of view.
Cultural fanaticism
Assume a new responsibility and face a new challenge: they must deal with the language of two communities
Bilingual dictionaries