Essay Sample on Culture: Language, Customs, Value, Business & Religion in Society

Introduction

Culture is identified as the influence driven by religion, family, educational standards, and social systems of a society/population. Majorly, it is used in determining how people lead their lives, the choices they make, and how it affects others in return (Barker, 2003). Ideally, culture is a complicated term since it can be used in both corporate and personal perspectives. Nonetheless, it is composed of language, customs and taboos, value, business norms, and religion (Mababaya, 2003). Next, most cultures are distinct due to geographical locations; thus, making people have a hard time adapting to new regions in case of relocation. In another term, the paper highlights some of the cultural environments in which humans live in today.

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According to research, the language and culture are intertwined; for example, a specific language can be used to highlight a society, community, or a person (Barker, 2003). When humans interact with a different language, it directly means that the conversation involves culture (Mababaya, 2003). In other terms, one cannot understand a different language without understanding the culture. To some extent, some nations lack the identity of a single language, for example, the U.S., since it several languages such as Spanish, Chinese, French, and German are often used in communication (Barker, 2003). On the contrary, the culture of this nation recorded that ninety percent of its population at least hears and speaks English, and most of the corporate meeting is conducted in English. With such a standard, the U.S. is known to have a diverse culture which is its identity. Its identity is different from that of Mainland China, where the primary spoken language is Chinese. In short, people live different cultural environments; some promote diversity while other uniformity.

For decades, culture has promoted different sets and standards of customs and traditions (Mababaya, 2003). Learning these customs and taboos supports in understanding what is acceptable and what is not in the community (Barker, 2003). For example, culture and Islamic policies are intertwined in a manner that it dictates the dressing code of Islamic females and if disobeyed it becomes a taboo; therefore, in the Middle East Islamic women are bound by these laws never to display their open arms or legs since it is offensive. Additionally, in nations such as Japan, absolute numbers are unlucky, such as four; thus, products packaged in fours are often ignored by consumers. Nonetheless, the U.S. is governed by the customs of the American holidays where they celebrate almost every essential day in its history, for example, July 4, Memorial Day. In other terms, human beings live in cultural environments governed by customs and taboos, and not only do persons appreciate them but to some extent, people are mediums that used in passing them to the generation.

Additionally, people live in a cultural environment with values, like customs and taboos; it enforces what is right and wrong (Barker, 2003). Majorly, cultural environment values are a section of societal success which can be expressed individually or in teams. Moreover, these values arise from family and societal influence, academic, ethical, and religious norms, as well as experience (Barker, 2003). It is these norms that make users behave differently; for example, values instilled in the Chinese enables them to avoid confrontations to save his/her dignity. Moreover, they avoid issuing straightforward answers to protect their brand and personalities. On the contrary, Americans are direct when handling issues; thus, such a value is often misinterpreted as confusing and frustrating; therefore, they value the outcome more than their reputation. In simple terms, humans live in cultural environments where some prefer to ignore confrontations while others apply a direct approach to achieve their aims and objectives.

Moreover, culture promotes time and punctuality. Institutions have different norms on how to handle time and punctuality; for example, the educational sector has a plan promoting its effective operation by establishing a timetable (Mababaya, 2003). It is a section of the institutional program that ensures that all students and tutors are at the right place, at the right time and performing the proper obligation (Mababaya, 2003). Nonetheless, business institutions rely on punctuality as a means of marketing their ideal planning, operation as well as respect. On the contrary, there are cultures where punctuality and time are not relevant since they have limited impacts on enhancing relationships, for example, meetings have different agendas and the motive of the gathering dictates if punctuality and time are essential. Some practices rely on time as well as culture; for example, fishers are keen at fishing during dawn and at night than day time due to the rewards. It is for these reasons that human beings live in environments marked by time and punctuality, explicit if there is a reward.

Besides, in addition to customs and taboos, human beings live in a cultural environment composed of religious belief as well as celebrations (Mababaya, 2003). Religious belief and practices have the capabilities of influencing communities to behave in a particular manner that promotes both personal and group growth (Barker, 2003). Religion is an integral part of culture since it is often used in guiding ethics, what is right and wrong. Additionally, beliefs fall under different denominations, Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism, among others (Mababaya, 2003). Each of these religions has its distinct celebration that is respected by each dedicated member, for example, Western cultures believe on the festive season which includes, Christmas. Muslims have Ramadhan celebrations. Also, these religions have norms and customs that need not be broken, for example, Hindus picture cows as sacred; thus, they are forbidden from eating meat, Muslims from consuming pork, and Buddhist refrained from drinking. Additionally, religion can influence the purchasing behaviors of consumers. In other words, humans live in a cultural environment of various religious norms and celebration. These celebrations define how these individual behave, act, decide, and socialize with others.

Conclusion

To conclude, humans live in various cultural environments that are governed by religion and ceremonies, values, language, customs and traditions, or time and punctuality. These properties have made it possible to identify the subject and relate him/her to a particular practice, identity, or location. First, language has made it possible for one to be determined by nations, ethnic community, or tribe. Moreover, it has also assisted in understanding the diversity and uniformity or a government in term of language. Next, custom and taboo have helped humans understand why some of the policies implemented to guide them are important. It also assists in identifying a group or individual with religion and culture. Nonetheless, time and punctuality illustrate why people are late and early and why they conduct specific projects at certain times. Finally, worship and celebrations help in identifying the difference in religious denominations.

References

Barker, C. (2003). Cultural studies: Theory and practice. SAGE.

Mababaya, M. (2003). International business success in a strange cultural environment. Universal-Publishers.