Chapter 4 – Culture, Intercultural Competence, and Pragmatics
So, What Now?
Faith Adler; Bibi Halima; and Keli Yerian
In this chapter, we’ve learned about the important ties between language and culture. It is our hope that you now feel better equipped to explore new cultures with a deeper understanding of how that connection may influence our perception of the world around us.
So, what are some of the resources that can help you explore culture as well as language?
Finding Resources
For the present-day language learner, access to culturally rich resources is easier than ever before. For many of us the world is at our fingertips instantly in the form of phones, computers, and other technology. This allows learners to experience language and culture together through media that can largely be found on the internet and, in many cases, for free.
Media such as movies, memes, theater performances, video game commentary, cooking videos, exercise instruction, and much more can be found with a simple online search. There is a wide variety of materials available made for speakers of all levels, from speakers of all levels.
For more common languages, there is even content covering these subjects with the beginning language learner in mind. There is an ocean of information and learning materials out there. You will likely never reach the bottom of that reserve. For less commonly taught languages, you may need to dig a little deeper to find something relevant to your interests or needs, but over time these materials are also growing.
Another wonderful place to learn about language and culture is a library near you. At the University of Oregon we have the Knight Library, filled with books, magazines, films, and other media related to languages, world cultures, and more, as well as literature in a wide variety of languages. For readers that may not be attending the University of Oregon, your school’s library or a public library near you may also carry some helpful books, magazines, and other media, for your cultural and language learning journey.
Also, at the University of Oregon, there are language circles at the Mills International Center and cultural events at Yamada Language Center throughout the term where you can talk with speakers with cultural insights into the languages you are learning and can ask questions about the language and culture. These places also have many materials for multiple languages. If you are not at UO, you might have similar communities or clubs that you can join in your vicinity.
let’s Reflect
- How has culture (L1 or L2) influenced your identity? The way you dress? Talk?
- What are some learning strategies you can implement to become more knowledgeable about your L2’s culture?
- How do you think learning about culture influences motivation in learning an L2?
- How would you define culture in your own words?
- What resources do you want to take advantage of to grow your cultural knowledge?
- What would you tell a friend who didn’t think learning about culture was important in learning an L2?
- What can you apply what you’ve learned from the other chapters so far in combination with this chapter to strengthen your learning?
“A word that suggests social patterns of shared meaning. In essence, it is a collective understanding of the way the world works, shared by members of a group and passed down from one generation to the next” (Biswas-Diener & Thin, 2024).
Language(s) you are first exposed to and learn. Note that individuals can have multiple L1s if they are raised in a bi- or multilingual community
Any language learned after the first language(s). The term "second language" does not necessarily refer to the 2nd language in time that a person learns. It can be a third, fourth, or other additional language
Reasons and objectives that inspire people to learn a new language(s). It can be intrinsic motivation that comes from within and linked to personal fulfillment. It can also be extrinsic that is influenced by external factors such as learning a language as an academic requirement to complete a degree program