Anthopolgy. Barriers of Language

It is astounding how many different languages, tongues and dialect variations are used across the globe. Without communication it would be nearly impossible to achieve even the simplest of team related tasks. The reason that a “Communication Barrier” exists between different societies is because of the many different attributes that make up communication for a single society. Spoken language makes up the majority of transmitting culture by allowing us to talk about our attitudes, beliefs and patterns of behaviors. Even if a person knows how to speak the spoken language, they may not know the publicly accepted symbols that individuals use to share their own private experiences, leading to a communication barrier. These barriers can occur with regards to physical symbols, as well as verbal or nonverbal symbols. This interview helped clarify some differences between languages, and how even the same languages are influenced by the culture that surround the language.

Webster’s dictionary defines language as “the method of communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a structured and conventional way.” The definition alone gives us an idea of how complex and time consuming using or learning another language can be. People often define language as communication, but the Webster’s definition of language does not really capture what communication really is. Communication within a society also consists of all of its verbal and nonverbal aspects, as well as how a certain language and culture can reciprocally affect one another, and how a particular language can relate and help guide explanations to certain histories. Former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela once said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to the heart.” (CNN.com) Mandela’s statement shows that there are many important aspects that really go into knowing one’s language on a...