LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION: INDIA
LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION: INDIA

Summary/Abstract: We use language to express our emotions and attitudes, to give our ideas and opinions, to complain, togain acceptance or approval, and to receive and transmit information. Essentially, language is a means of culturalcommunication. There are different ways we can communicate. In this world, just about everyone--his/herintelligence, competence, social status, group membership, and the value system are often judged from the languagethrough which one communicates. The tone, the speed of the speech, and the accent can evoke reactions not only inmonolingual but more so in bilingual and multilingual societies, causing tensions and conflicts related to socialidentity and belonging. Language influences our thinking, feelings, and behaving. This paper discusses diversesocio- linguistic variants, such as, gender, race, ethnicity, class, caste, and religion with reference to Marathi, Hindiand India’s diverse cultures. The paper also discusses extra-linguistic factors, including biological and evolutionaryselves, individualism, collectivism and attitudes. Finally, the paper suggests some skills and strategies for successfulcross-cultural communication, which are expected to help reduce cultural conflicts and ethnic tensions and promotepeace.

• Details
• Contents