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Mehryar Nooriafshar
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Associate Professor, Email: mehryar@usq.edu.au
Tel: +61746351613
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University of Southern Queensland, Australia
2
Book Review: Language, Culture, and Society
This book (published by Westview Press, articulation of speech sounds are amongst the
Colorado, 2015) investigates several aspects of topics discussed.
language, culture, and their relationships within
the society. The frequent references to the Chapter 4 is related to the same topic and
pioneers mentioned above and other scholars continues with discussions on “nuts and bolts”
like Chomsky (1986), are prominent throughout of linguistic anthropology. The chapter then
the book. moves on to introducing grammatical
relationships and makes references to the
A reasonable coverage of the key aspects of
transformational generative grammar.
language, culture, and their connection is
provided in the book. The book has been A main message of these chapters is to explain
written in a style that is suitable for both that, linguistic anthropologists study the
academics and practitioners. The content is universal phenomenon of human language. The
organized in fifteen chapters which follows a field of linguistic anthropology is therefore
similar structure. For instance, in each chapter, defined as the study of language in its
introductory sections pave the way for further biological and sociocultural contexts. The
explanation and discussions. Each chapter clarification that linguistics is the scientific
concludes with consolidation in the form of a study of language, paves the way for
summary. There are also various projects and understanding that the field does not refer to the
active learning exercises at the end of each study of a particular language. It is explained
chapter. These elements assist immensely in that the purpose of linguistics is not to learn to
reinforcing the learning process. speak a language; rather, it refers to the
analytical study of language. The contrast
2. Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4: Linguistics and between a linguist and a polyglot is also clearly
Linguistic Anthropology spelled out. Hence, the reader would not
perceive a linguist as an individual who can
These chapters which lay the foundations and speak several languages fluently.
describe the ideas, make it clear what is exactly
meant by anthropology as an academic field. 3. Chapter 5: Communicating Nonverbally
Chapter 1 provides a description of linguistics Chapter 5 is rather interesting as it covers
in general and attempts to answer questions nonverbal communication. It is suggested that,
such as why one should study language and although spoken language is by far the most
language in daily life. It then provides a brief common and important means by which
history of anthropology, linguistics, and humans communicate with each other, it is not
linguistic anthropology. The content clearly the only one. It continues discussions by
explains that an anthropologist is not someone suggesting that the various writing systems
who digs the ancient sites and burial grounds used throughout the world are of tremendous
for artefacts or tries to decipher symbolic importance for communication. It is suggested
writings of the ancient civilizations. that the term nonverbal communication, taken
literally, refers to the transmission of signals
Chapter 2 delves into contrasting linguistics
accomplished by means other than spoken
with linguistic anthropology. The message words. It is fascinating to read that even bodily
regarding the difference between a linguist and gestures, facial expressions, and smoke signals
a linguistic anthropologist is conveyed well. It have formed some of the nonverbal
is suggested that a linguist, compared with a communication types throughout the history.
linguistic anthropologist, is primarily interested The discussions then lead to the introduction of
in the language structure rather than the formal sign languages. It is suggested that,
language changes over time. signing as a means of communication is,
without any doubts, at least as old as speech.
Chapter 3 introduces the “nuts and bolts” of
For example, the writings of ancient Greeks and
linguistic anthropology. The discussions make
Romans indicate that the deaf people utilized
it clear that language is really all about sound.
signs to communicate.
The anatomy and physiology of speech and
3
M. Nooriafshar / International Journal of Society, Culture & Language, 3(2), 2015 ISSN 2329-2210
the 5th century B.C. Dionysus Thrax was the native English speakers do. Hence, when
probably one of the first scholars to embark on different people from different linguistic
documenting the Greek grammar in the 1st backgrounds speak to each other in English,
century B.C. The Romans later used the Greek several mental conversion processes take place
ideas as a basis for Latin grammar. The on both sides of the speaker and listener. It
evolution of ideas led to the development of a would be appropriate to make a reference to the
theory for universal grammar by Chomsky idea that the language one speaks determines
(1986). His ideas stemmed from challenging how one perceives the world (Chapter 12). As
the structuralist program and instead putting a result, some subtitles in expressing the true
forward the Transnational Generative intentions would not be possible. As an
Grammar. His ideas were, later, laid the example, one could consider how certain
foundations of anthropological linguistics. cultures, such as the Japanese, avoid the use of
negation in their responses. In other words, a
Based on the author’s observation, it would also negative response is not directly and bluntly
be interesting to consider discussions related to delivered to the listener. When a Japanese
the following points: person does not favour something or a situation,
the expression could be “Sore wa cho-tto-” with
What are the implications and consequences of a pause. It literally means ‘Regarding that one,
moving towards a monolingual and I, a little bit ...? In a language like English or
monocultural world? The first question which German, feelings of negation and
should be paused is whether or not this situation dissatisfaction can be directly, and without any
is materialising. With the current popularity of hesitation, accepted as normal. Therefore, for
English as a common language around the two people from different cultural backgrounds,
world, one would assume that there is a trend to better understand each other’s cultures, some
towards this target. In order to seek the answers, basic knowledge of each other’s languages can
firstly, one needs to examine the reasons for be beneficial.
English in gaining the common language status
globally. The reasons for the English 11. Concluding Remarks
language’s global spread can be attributed to
some of its key features. Firstly, English is the All the fifteen chapters and topics within them,
language of several powerful and highly are well structured and presented. Inclusion of
industrialized countries. Secondly, it is the a summary at the end of each chapter is a
main language of blockbuster movies, strength for this book. The included activities in
television programs, popular songs, and to a chapters reinforce the learning process. The
large extent, the Internet content. Thirdly, message that there is a strong connection
English is a relaxed and barrier-free language between culture and language is clearly
with a relatively straight forward grammar. conveyed to the reader. The contrast between
Unlike the Latin based languages, it does not linguistics and linguistic anthropology is
have the complexities associated with presented right from the start.
grammatical gender of the nouns and complex
conjugation of verbs. In English, there is only It would be appropriate to state that language
one type of the second person pronoun which has allowed human beings to draw on images
covers both formal and informal cases. As a of nature and convey the thoughts to others. The
result, the possibilities of being on the first reason for, and purpose of, why to study
name basis, in a barrier-free manner, is not a languages and how to learn them is adequately
complex issue. It can, however, become a very covered. In dealing with why one should study
difficult language if it is intended to be used for language, a reference to Crystal (1971) would
speaking, reading, and writing at higher levels be relevant. As described in the content, Crystal
and standards. (1971) points out that communication between
patients and physicians can be extremely
There are many peculiarities and complexities difficult given the differences in training and
associated with how to spell and pronounce perspective of the persons involved.
words in English. Millions of people whose
mother tongue is not English can speak some Throughout the book, the writing style
English, but not all of them think in English like maintains an adequate balance in terms of
6
Book Review: Language, Culture, and Society
suitability for an academician or layperson. The Boas, F. (1938). The mind of primitive man.
content makes frequent references to a number New York: Macmillan.
of forerunners such as Franz Boas, Edward Chomsky, N. (1986). Knowledge of language:
Sapir, and Noam Chomsky in establishing the Its nature, origin, and use. New York:
foundations of the disciplines related to Praeger.
anthropology, linguistic anthropology, language, Crystal, D. (1971). Linguistics. Harmondsworth,
and culture. Discussions on how technology UK: Penguin.
influences language and people’s behaviour are Gordon, E. (2005). Ethnologue: Languages of
provided. In conclusion, this book can serve as the world (15th ed.). Dallas, TX: SIL
a suitable reading material for anyone who International.
wishes to find out about the fascinating Sapir, E. (1949). Sound patterns in language. In
relationships between language and culture. D. G. Mandelbaum (Ed.), Selected readings
of Edward Sapir in language, culture and
References personality (pp. 33-45). Berkeley:
University of California Press.
Baron, N. (2008). Always on: Language in an Thomas, M. (2000). Spanish with Michel Thomas
online mobile world. New York: Oxford (Introductory course CD). Hodder &
University Press. Stoughton Educational Division.