Implications of Culture on Language | Amirpooya Dardashti | TEDxTAMU

Summary

The speaker, having experienced cultures of the United States and Iran, discusses the profound impact of culture on language and communication. Through teaching English in Iran, they illustrate how cultural nuances, such as the Persian term 'tarof' and non-verbal cues, can drastically alter the interpretation of verbal and non-verbal expressions. The talk emphasizes the importance of understanding and appreciating cultural diversity in a multicultural world, especially for educators, to enrich language learning with cultural context.

Takeaways

• 🍽️ Culture is closely tied to food and can be a source of bonding over a meal.
• 🗣️ Language is significantly influenced by culture and can impact communication in various ways.
• 🌐 Growing up in different cultures, such as the United States and Iran, provides unique perspectives on the relationship between culture and language.
• 👨‍🏫 Teaching English in Iran highlighted the dynamic interaction between cultural norms and language usage.
• 🤔 Misunderstandings can arise from direct translations of words that carry different connotations in different cultures.
• 🤝 The term 'master' in Persian for a teacher signifies a high level of respect, different from the Western connotation.
• 💬 Even simple phrases like 'Don't be tired' can have layered meanings in different cultural contexts.
• 🤔 Nonverbal communication, such as body gestures, can have entirely different interpretations across cultures.
• 🤗 In East Asia and the Middle East, folding arms can indicate contemplation and wisdom, contrasting with the Western view of being unfriendly.
• 🏺 Cultural concepts like 'tarof' in Persian culture are integral to understanding social interactions and cannot be grasped without cultural context.
• 🚖 The story of the European friend and the cab driver in Iran illustrates the confusion that can arise from a lack of cultural understanding.
• 🌍 With over 1.35 billion English speakers worldwide, many of whom are multicultural, it's important to recognize and respect cultural diversity in communication.
• 🏛️ The United States exemplifies a multicultural environment, with 67 million individuals speaking languages other than English as of 2018.
• 💡 As educators and language instructors, it's crucial to foster an appreciation for the cultural richness that students bring to the classroom.
• 🌈 Recognizing and learning from cultural differences is an opportunity for growth and understanding, rather than a source of conflict.

Q & A

What is the first cultural aspect the speaker associates with the word 'culture'?

The speaker first associates the word 'culture' with food, as it is a universal way to bond over a great meal.

How does the speaker's experience of living in the United States and Iran influence their understanding of culture and language?

The speaker's experience living in two different countries exposes them to distinct cultures, which helps them understand the dynamic relationship between culture and language, especially in the context of teaching English in Iran.

What was the speaker's initial reaction when a student addressed them as 'master'?

The speaker was shocked and initially did not know how to respond, thinking it was a scene from the movie 'Karate Kid'.

What did the speaker learn about the Persian word for teacher that is similar to 'master'?

The speaker learned that the Persian word for teacher, when translated to English, signifies a high degree of respect that a student holds for their teacher, similar to the term 'master'.

How did the speaker interpret the students' statement 'Don’t be tired.' after a long day of teaching?

The speaker was unsure whether it was encouragement or mockery. However, a colleague explained that it was similar to saying 'thank you' in English, but with a connotation that acknowledges the mental and physical efforts put into teaching.

Outlines

00:00

🍽️ Cultural Impact on Language and Communication

The speaker, having grown up in both the United States and Iran, reflects on the influence of culture on communication, particularly through their experiences teaching English in Iran. They highlight the importance of understanding cultural nuances in both verbal and non-verbal communication. Examples include the Persian term for 'teacher' that translates to 'master' in English, indicating deep respect, and the phrase 'Don't be tired' which is a form of gratitude for the effort put into teaching. The speaker also discusses the cultural differences in body language, such as folding arms signifying contemplation in East Asia and the Middle East, versus being unfriendly in the U.S. The concept of 'tarof', a Persian cultural practice of polite refusals as a sign of hospitality, is used to illustrate the complexities of cultural etiquette that can be misunderstood without context.

05:03

🌐 Embracing Multicultural Perspectives in Communication

Keywords

💡Culture

Culture refers to the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or social group. In the video, culture is explored as a significant influence on language and communication, with the speaker sharing personal experiences of cultural differences between the United States and Iran, and how these differences manifest in everyday interactions.

💡Language

Language is a system of communication using words or signs, whether spoken or written. The video emphasizes the dynamic relationship between language and culture, showing how cultural nuances can affect the interpretation and expression in a language, especially when teaching English as a foreign language.

💡Communication

Communication is the imparting or exchanging of information. The video discusses both verbal and non-verbal forms of communication, highlighting how cultural backgrounds can shape the way people communicate, including misunderstandings that can arise from cultural differences.

💡Verbal Communication

Verbal communication involves the transmission of messages through spoken or written language. An example from the script is the student addressing the teacher as 'master,' which, while unfamiliar to the teacher, signifies a high degree of respect in Persian culture.

💡Non-verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication encompasses the transmission of messages without words, through body language, facial expressions, and gestures. The video uses the example of folding arms to illustrate how the same gesture can have different meanings in different cultures, affecting the interpretation of the message.

💡Persian

Persian refers to the people, culture, or language of Iran. The script uses the term to describe the cultural practices and language that the speaker has experienced, contrasting them with American culture to emphasize the impact of cultural context on communication.

💡Tarof

Tarof is a Persian cultural concept that involves polite refusals and gestures of hospitality, often involving offers that are not meant to be accepted at face value. The video uses the concept of 'tarof' to illustrate the complexities of cultural etiquette and how it can lead to confusion without an understanding of the cultural context.

💡Multiculturalism

Multiculturalism is a social condition characterized by the presence of diverse cultures within a community or society. The video discusses the importance of recognizing and appreciating the cultural diversity that exists among English speakers worldwide, emphasizing the need for understanding and respect for these differences.

💡Appreciation

Appreciation in this context refers to the recognition and enjoyment of the value or good qualities of something, in this case, different cultures. The speaker encourages the audience to develop an appreciation for the unique contributions that each culture brings to the global community.

💡Education

Education is the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, and habits. The video touches on the speaker's role as an English language instructor and the importance of incorporating cultural understanding into education to provide a more comprehensive and respectful learning environment.

💡Perspective

Perspective refers to a particular attitude or way of considering a matter. The video concludes with the idea that understanding cultural differences offers a different perspective on life, encouraging the audience to be open to learning from these diverse viewpoints.

Highlights

The concept of 'culture' can be associated with various aspects such as food, which is a universal way of bonding.

Culture has a significant impact on language and everyday communication.

The speaker's personal experience growing up in the U.S. and Iran exposed them to distinct cultural influences.

Teaching English in Iran helped the speaker understand the relationship between culture and language.

Cultural differences can affect both verbal and non-verbal communication.

A student addressing the speaker as 'master' exemplifies cultural influence on language.

The Persian word for teacher can be translated to 'master' in English, indicating respect.

Students' expressions like 'Don't be tired' can have a different connotation in Persian culture.

Non-verbal communication, such as folding arms, can have varying meanings across cultures.

Folding arms in the U.S. may indicate unfriendliness, while in East Asia and the Middle East, it signifies contemplation.

Cultural concepts like 'tarof' in Persian culture are integral to understanding social interactions.

The cultural practice of 'tarof' involves polite refusals and gestures of hospitality.

The experience of a European friend in Iran highlights the confusion that can arise from cultural misunderstandings.

Cultural knowledge is essential to navigate social norms and expectations in different environments.

There are approximately 1.35 billion English speakers worldwide, many of whom also speak another language.

The U.S. is a multicultural environment with around 67 million individuals speaking languages other than English.

Cultural appreciation and understanding are crucial for effective communication and education.

The speaker emphasizes the responsibility of educators to incorporate cultural richness in language teaching.

Recognizing cultural differences does not imply one is right and the other is wrong, but offers diverse perspectives on life.

Transcripts

Transcriber: Chiara Mondini Reviewer: Zsófia Herczeg

What images come to your mind

when you see or hear the word “culture?”

If you were to ask me personally, I would say food,

because who doesn’t love to bond over a great meal?

But have you thought about the implications

of culture on language,

and more importantly, how culture can impact our everyday communication?

Just by a show of hands, how many of you speak a language other than English

or know someone who does?

Take a moment to look around you,

because almost all of you have raised your hand.

Having grown up both within the United States and Iran,

I have been exposed to two very different and unique ways of life

each with their own distinct culture.

But it was only when I started to teach English in Iran

that I began to understand

the dynamic relationship between culture and language.

Culture can impact what we communicate verbally and non-verbally.

And to demonstrate that to you today, I’d like to reflect

on some of my English language teaching experiences.

You can understand the shock on my face when my student addressed me as master.

For a second, I didn’t know how to respond.

Was this a scene from Karate Kid?

Was I master Miyagi, and my student Daniel-san?

Wax on, wax off.

However, with the help of one of my colleagues,

I came to understand that one of the Persian words for teacher

when translated to English has a similar definition to master,

highlighting and signifying the high degree of respect

a student holds for his or her teacher.

Or another time when after a long and stressful day of teaching,

my students stopped me

and said in the calmest and smoothest of voices,

“Don’t be tired.”

I wasn't sure what to make of that.

Was I being encouraged or mocked because of my teaching efforts?

When I told a colleague of mine,

she said that the statement that my student had uttered

was similar to a simple “thank you” in the English language.

However, it differed in that the connotation of the expression

underlined the mental and physical efforts

that I had put into class that day.

Now culture is not only limited to verbal modes of communication

but can also impact nonverbal communication as well.

Think about body gestures for a second.

Let’s say that you and I were having a conversation,

much like the one that we’re having right now,

and I decided to fold my arms.

What would you make of that?

For one, it could mean that I'm cold.

But what could it potentially reveal about my personality?

Here in the United States,

folding your arms is associated with being unfriendly,

distant or standoffish.

But what if I told you that the same exact body gesture

has a completely different connotation in another environment,

like East Asia and the Middle East?

In that context,

folding your arms is a sign of contemplation and wisdom,

indicating that you are wholeheartedly thinking about what has been said to you

to provide the best possible response.

Now oftentimes there are even cultural concepts and notions

that are virtually nonexistent in another environment.

Take, for instance, the Persian cultural concept of “tarof.”

Simply put, “tarof” is a staple and integral part of the Persian culture,

emphasizing polite gestures and cultural pleasantries

in a wide array of situations.

And here’s what it looks like.

For me going out to eat looks very different,

depending on whether I’m with my Persian or non-Persian friends.

With my non-Persian friends,

it’s a very peaceful and tranquil experience.

When the bill comes, everyone pays for the meal they had separately,

and we leave.

However, it’s a completely different story when I’m out with my Persian friends.

It’s a battlefield

as we try to snatch the bill from the waiter

to proclaim victorious in paying for everyone.

Now this might seem strange,

but this is a sign of hospitality within the Persian culture,

indicating that you have greatly enjoyed the other person’s presence,

and they are your guest for the meal.

This can even go to extremes as we arrive earlier at a restaurant

just to provide a credit card,

so our guest has absolutely no chance of paying.

So take it from me.

Make sure you have some Persian friends.

That way, you’ll never have to pick up the bill.

Cultural concepts such as “tarof” are even more difficult to grasp

for individuals not familiar with the context.

So you can imagine the puzzling look on my European friend’s face

when he came to Iran for the first time,

and the cab driver told him that he didn’t have to pay the fare,

saying something along the lines of,

“It’s not worthy of you.”

Next thing you know, the same cab driver is shouting and yelling at him,

“Where do you think you’re going, pal? You forgot to pay the fare.”

My friend, unaware of the cultural concept of “tarof,”

solely relied on his understanding of language,

which led him to literally take the offer.

However, it is this cultural knowledge that makes it known

that it’s customary for service personnel to refuse payment two or three times

as a sign of hospitality

all while expecting the payment to be completed in the end.

Now keep in mind,

all of the examples that we have talked about today

represent a very microskill

of the present-day multiculturalism that exists.

Currently, there are around 1.35 billion English speakers around the world.

Out of which around 1 billion also speak a language other than English,

which consciously and unconsciously brings with itself cultural norms and perceptions

which may influence and impact their English communication.

And the United States is a wonderful example of a multicultural environment.

As of 2018, there are around 67 million individuals

who speak a language other than English right here.

Now you might be asking yourself: Why is any of this important?

Well firstly, fostering and developing an appreciation

that each and every single culture

brings something to this table called life.

And secondly, for me personally,

this is important because, as an English language instructor

and doctoral student here at Texas A&M,

I feel responsible for paying forward this knowledge

to the future generation of educators

so that they not only know

what to provide in the classroom in terms of the language

that is accurate and appropriate

but also take into context the richness and culture

that these individuals possess.

Which brings the question:

What can we do when the landscape is so rich?

Realistically and practically speaking,

we cannot be expected to know every single thing there is

about the wide array of cultures that exist.

But if there’s one thing

that I would like for you to take away from this talk today, it’s this:

That just because individuals act and say things

that may slightly differ from our norms and perceptions

does not mean that they are wrong, and we are right.

Rather, it offers a different lens and perspective of looking into life,

one that you and I might be interested in learning a little bit more about.

Thank you.

(Applause)