LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND IDENTITY

Abstract

Today, the world has become a network in which most countries try to create and maintain mutually beneficial relationships. In this context, a foreign language is not only an instrument of international communication, but a key tool that plays a leading role in successful interaction between cultures. Its importance is constantly growing, as it allows representatives of different countries to unite around common ideas, projects and initiatives, while creating a solid foundation for development in the international community. An increasingly globalized world allows students to study in different countries, do Erasmus, do cultural exchanges, implement projects and do internships in other countries.Very often, students face difficulties in understanding the culture of another country.A survey was conducted among students (representatives of different cultures) about the differences and the period of adaptation during their stay in another country. The students’ answers show the urgent need to introduce the study of the culture, traditions and values of the language being studied.Each person lives in his or her own cultural context and as E. Hall points out, each person perceives another culture from the point of view of his or her own culture. It is important to have access to the culture of a new country in order to understand what are the aspects of the other’s culture, trying to adopt that culture and adapt to the new reality. Therefore, this study examines the theoretical aspect of the cultural component. Culture accompanies the speaker in the way he or she thinks, sees the world and dialogues. For linguistics, culture reflects a mental universe shared by a community, which affects speakers in their linguistic performances in the form of assumptions, beliefs and opinions. Culture is the behaviour on which communication is based.From another perspective, Pragmatics studies the principles that regulate the use of language in communication and attaches great importance to culture, which is the direct object of its study. Culture accompanies the speaker in his or her way of thinking, of seeing the world and of dialogue. Edward T. Hall highlights four types of space: intimate space, close personal space, large personal space and public space. Trompenaars highlights in his research the influence of national and cultural characteristics, he highlights several types of cultures: universal and private truth cultures, cultures of collectivism and cultures of individualism, neutral and emotional cultures, low-context and high-context cultures, descent-oriented and achievement-oriented cultures, cultures in which time is treated differently, and cultures in which time is treated differently.Culture penetrates all aspects of human life (social, professional, material, etc.). It is impossible to learn a language without learning its culture. On the one hand, language is a reflection of culture, while, on the other, language is part of that culture. It is important to have access to the culture of a new country to understand what aspects of the other country’s culture are, trying to adopt that culture and adapt to the new reality. In the Spanish aprendizade we propose the topic ‘La familia’ to the students to discuss about collectivist families and individualistic families.in individualistic families, a person’s desire to express his individuality, his personality, prevails. The one who shows individualism in his views and actions is only concerned with himself and his immediate environment. In these cultures, a person’s individuality and personal achievements are most valued. In the professional sphere, the following qualities stand out: independence, initiative and determination. In collectivist families, each person is willing to give up personal needs or rights for the benefit of the group or organisation to which he or she belongs. Important values of collectivism are harmony, saving face, fulfilling duties, willingness to compromise.In the intermediate level of Spanish language learning, when dealing with the topic of ‘Work’, it is important to discuss the style of work in different cultures.Depending on the style, the work of companies, organisations, offices, etc. is organised differently. For example, members of high-context cultures strive to start work immediately, do not try to establish and maintain interpersonal relationships and can tolerate unpleasant personal qualities of employees, if they demonstrate high business skills and contribute to the achievement of the desired result. Representatives of low-context cultures work well in teams and take into account the needs of other people, attach great importance to social relationships and value personal qualities.Learning a new language means going beyond learning linguistic habits and grammatical structures. Students learning a foreign language must acquire different cultural knowledge at the same time.