language reflects the ernvironment.ppt

Language reflects theenvironment which we live in OUTLINE Geographical environment snow Social environment dialect Geographical Environment Language reflects the environment in which we live. We label the things that are around us. Example: Snow Snow In the Amazon area snow is not part of the environment；therefore, people in that region do not have a word for snow. It simply does not exist. Snow In areas where it snows occasionally, people have a word for snow, but it may be just one word without any differentiations. Snow Most Americans, for example, use terms such as snow, powder snow, sleet, slush, blizzard, and ice. That’s the extent of most people’s snow vocabulary. Culture in tropical climates will not develop heating systems and as a result will not have any of the accompanying vocabulary. Just as people in cold climates have no need for air-conditioning and the related vocabulary. Social environment Language reflects our social environment. In any society, language can be a powerful tool. It can influence people and groups, and can often determine status in a society. Language can also affect the composition and nature of social groups within any society. Example: dialect Dialect Dialects belonging to particular geographic regions can both draw similar speakers together and also exclude speakers with a different dialect. This can be seen in any community where immigrants from non-native speaking countries have settled. Dialect US The Midwestern, southern, African American, and Spanish dialects. Why are there so many dialects in the US? Because people have lived in differntent states in US. Geography also plays a part in making dialects. Dialect China Cantonese Mandarine... England high land English low land English ... Summary The social and geographical environment influence the languages greatly . Thank you! 英语师范四班 第三组 覃勤201003021411 彭艳201003021413 董红