Most people will agree that communication is the most important part of culture. It allows us to share ideas, feelings, and opinions. This is what separates humans from other animals. Communication can be broken into two parts, verbal and non-verbal. Verbal uses language, while non-verbal is made up of numerous things. Non-verbal communication is actions or gestures that can be perceived that don't come directly from physical language. Interaction between people would not be possible without these two forms of communication.
Language is the primary means of preserving and transmitting culture (Porter 139). Language uses symbols (words) which are given sounds varying from culture to culture. The symbols are clumped together using different rules to form the actual language. These words are given meaning by the culture in which you live in. .
Language has several different primary functions such as labeling, interaction, and transmission (139). Labeling serves to give identity to what is being talked about. The interaction function allows us to share ideas and emotions. Transmission is how we pass information on. Language has other functions as well. The most useful one is conversation. This is the major process of how we interact with one another. Language can be used to express emotions, thoughts, history, reality, and identity. .
We use language to interact with each other as well as talk about the past, present, and future. Language is directly linked to individual culture. Word usage and meaning are learned (164), and differ among the various cultures around the world. Each language has its own sounds and rules for using their symbols. The communication process can be broken into four parts. You can receive, store, manipulate, and generate symbols to represent your own reality. In other words, you perceive language and use it in your own personal way, but overall it is shaped by your culture.
