English Department
Readings in Culture, S2
Introduction
I. What is culture?
The word ‘culture’ comes from the Latin word ‘cultura,’ related to cult or worship. In its
broadest sense, the term refers to the result of human interaction.
Society’s culture comprises the shared values, understandings, assumptions, and goals that are
learned from earlier generations, imposed by present members of society, and passed on to
succeeding generations.
Culture is a way of life. The food you eat, the clothes you wear, the language you speak in and the
God you worship all are aspects of culture. In very simple terms, we can say that culture is the
embodiment of the way in which we think and do things. It is also the things that we have inherited
as members of society. All the achievements of human beings as members of social groups can be
called culture. Art, music, literature, architecture, sculpture, philosophy, religion and science can
be seen as aspects of culture. However, culture also includes the customs, traditions, festivals,
ways of living and one’s outlook on various issues of life.
Culture thus refers to a human-made environment which includes all the material and nonmaterial
products of group life that are transmitted from one generation to the next. The essential core of
culture lies in those finer ideas which are transmitted within a group, both historically derived as
well as selected with their attached value. More recently, culture denotes historically transmitted
patterns of meanings embodied in symbols, by means of which people communicate, perpetuate
and develop their knowledge about and express their attitudes toward life.
1
Culture is the expression of our nature in our modes of living and thinking. It may be seen in our
literature, in religious practices, in recreation and enjoyment. Culture has two distinctive
components, namely, material and non-material. Material culture consists of objects that are
related to the material aspect of our life such as our dress, food, and household goods. Non-material
culture refers to ideas, ideals, thoughts and belief. Culture varies from place to place and country
to country. Its development is based on the historical process operating in a local, regional or
national context. For example, we differ in our ways of greeting others, our clothing, food habits,
social and religious customs and practices from the West. In other words, the people of any country
are characterised by their distinctive cultural traditions.
Culture thus consists of language, ideas, beliefs, customs, taboos, codes, institutions, tools,
techniques, works of art, rituals, ceremonies, and symbols.
II. Some characteristics of culture:
1. Culture is learned and acquired:
Culture is acquired in the sense that there are certain behaviours which are acquired
through heredity. Individuals inherit certain qualities from their parents but socio-cultural
patterns are not inherited. These are learnt from family members, from the group and the
society in which they live. It is thus apparent that the culture of human beings is influenced
by the physical and social environment through which they operate.
2. Culture is cumulative:
Different knowledge embodied in culture can be passed from one generation to another
generation. More and more knowledge is added in the particular culture as the time passes by.
Each may work out solution to problems in life that passes from one generation to another.
This cycle remains as the particular culture goes with time.
3. Culture is dynamic and not static:
2
There is knowledge, thoughts or traditions that are lost as new cultural traits are added.
There are possibilities of cultural changes within the particular culture as time passes.
No culture remains on the permanent state. Culture is changing constantly as new ideas and
new techniques are added as time passes modifying or changing the old ways. This is the
characteristics of culture that stems from the culture’s cumulative quality.
4. Culture is diverse:
It is a system that has several mutually interdependent parts. Moreover, culture varies from
society to society: Every society has its own culture and way of behaving. It is not uniform. Every
culture is unique in itself is a specific society. For example values, customs, tradition, religion,
belief are not uniform everywhere.
III. What is cultural diversity?
Diversity is defined as the condition of being different. In other words, it means dissimilarity
and variance between things.
Cultural diversity is when different races, ethnicities, ages, values, abilities, languages,
nationalities, socioeconomic statuses, genders, religions, sexual orientations, family and political
views are well represented within a community. The group is diverse if a wide variety of groups
are represented.
1.Why is diversity important?
Cultural diversity is important because our country, workplaces, and schools increasingly
consist of various cultural, racial, and ethnic groups. We can learn from one another, but first, we
must have a level of understanding about each other. Learning about other cultures helps us
understand different perspectives within the world in which we live. It also removes
negative stereotypes and personal biases about different groups, as well as reduces discrimination
and racism.
3
In addition, cultural diversity helps us recognize and respect “ways of being” that are not
necessarily our own. So that as we interact with others, we can build bridges to trust, respect, and
establish an understanding across cultures. Furthermore, this diversity makes our country a more
interesting place to live in. People from diverse cultures contribute with language skills, new ways
of thinking, new knowledge, and different experiences. This often leads to more creativity.
…………………………………………………
