The importance of cultural interaction

Question

Every day I study Spanish, I become more convinced of the importance of the cultural interaction required to learn the language. The communication components of pronunciation, inflection, and body language can not be learned from a textbook. These skills can only be developed from routine use and interaction with others. I don’t make this statement to minimize the importance of grammar, but I know students with degrees in Spanish that are unable to participate in simple conversations.

This perspective came to my attention most recently when my grandson (21 months old) stayed with me for a while last week. His language skills are developing and he is now beginning to put words together to convey a thought. As I communicate with him, I do not stop and explain that he has just used an adverb to describe an activity, or an adjective to describe the color of a toy. His focus is on communicating a message.

As I noticed this, I began to think how this might apply to my process of learning Spanish. Successful communication requires more than placing the correct words in the correct order to make a complete thought. For example, read the following sentence, each time placing the emphasis on a different word

I never said she stole money.

Emphasis placed on a different word communicates an entirely new message. As this illustrates, a speaker must be aware of the method of delivery for a word or sentence to convey the intended message. This skill requires practice and social interaction.

I believe we need to capitalize on every opportunity to listen and communicate the language within the culture.

What do you think? Am I terribly off track?

Very interesting, and I think you're right. I read your example sentence, placing an emphasis on the different words, it was interesting to see how it conveys a different message each time. - Azabache, May 5, 2011

Answer 1

His focus is on communicating a message.

Exactly! When I speak Spanish my primary goal is to convey a message. If I suddenly find that I don't know the exact words to express an idea, I just keep talking, plow ahead, and use different vocabulary. I often ask if my message was understood and ask what words would best express what I wanted to say.

Emphasis placed on a different word communicates an entirely new message.

Funny! I think about such things all the time. I worry that I think and analyze a bit too much.

Gracias! :) - 0066c384, May 5, 2011

Answer 2

It is nost just that languages and culture are related; languages are reshaped by the communicative requirements of their speakers, so trying to learn them without knowing anything about the culture is an artificial exercise that can result in communicative frustration in the real world. Surely you can avoid the culture altogether and be able to describe things, or to talk about maths or any objective topic, but you will struggle to fully comprehend how the language works and how native speakers use it. I would say that the language itself is part of that culture, so dissociating one from the other is counterproductive, at best.

Gracias! :) - 0066c384, May 5, 2011

Answer 3

One of the locals explained to me that it was part of the culture here for men to have mistresses

I didn't intend to speak about that type of cultural interaction. :) - 0066c384, May 5, 2011

You must choose wisely the kind of life you want for yourself. Allow others the same right to choose for themselves by being honest about your intentions. - jnit1, May 27, 2012