Language Shaping and Reflecting Culture

Language shaping and reflecting culture

Freedom- the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. What if there was no freedom in anywhere in the world? Language is universal in every land region and is familiar with all people. Culture varies directly with language and therefore when language changes, culture has to as well. Although language is universal it can change in a specific region, causing that specific region’s culture to change as well. The way language is used and presented shapes and reflects culture in society or in an individual. The freedom of the full usage of language is the basis of one’s culture, and once changed, will as well change one’s culture.

Language shapes who you are and how you discern certain circumstances. Language will affect beliefs in that people’s beliefs will change in either being extreme or not caring about the topic at all. “We believe, further, that Nollop dies indeed speak to us from his place of eternal rest, through the manipulation of the tiles upon his hallowed cenotaph, and that the Council serves only as his collective interpreter”(Dunn 40). Before language changed in Nollopton, everyone had closed minded casual opinions that society should continue on without having any radical thoughts or ideas, due to the fact that no one spoke out before the tiles fell which affected language. Once the tiles fell and language changed by becoming limited, the Towgate’s opinions turned extreme in that they even spoke out their ideas to even young adults such as a girl named Tassie. When language changes, people will act out abnormally from what they normally behave like. “We are sorry that the performance of our civic duty has resulted in distress to your mother”(Dunn 40). The Towgates have always blended in with society as in they never acted out unusually, but once language changed they had acted out in an unusual manner. They had reported a teacher named Mitte for using prohibited letters even though she teachers their son and tries her best to refrain from saying prohibited letters, which is especially hard for her because she has to teach the students by talking. This was very harsh of the Towgates to do this, but when language changed, so did the way they acted.

Isolation can also be a product of language changing due to being limited in usage. When freedom to talk or write whatever you feel like without getting punished gets placed into effect in society, people will grow more and more isolated. “For we cannot even write of its history. Because to write of it, is to write it. And as of midnight, it becomes ineffable.”(Dunn