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SOCIO-CULTURAL LINKS BETWEEN LANGUAGE AND
SOCIETY Eshankulova N.X.
Eshankulova Nargiza Xayitmuratovna - Teacher, DEPARTMENT OF THEORETICAL DISCIPLINES OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, ENGLISH LANGUAGES FACULTY 3, UZBEKISTAN STATE WORLD LANGUAGES UNIVERSITY, SAMARKAND, REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN
Abstract: language is both a system of communication between individuals and a social phenomenon. The study of language and society - sociolinguistics - can be dated to about the middle of the twentieth century. Today, cultural awareness is becoming more and more important, and people are starting to realize that cultural differences affect our interactions with people from other cultures.
Keywords: sociolinguistics, cultural differences, communication-oriented approach, intercultural communication, sociocultural competence.
Linguistics is primarily concerned with explaining the patterns and structures of human language. Central to this pursuit is an understanding that human language is a unique phenomenon and must somehow be coded in the brain. The area of language and society - sociolinguistics - is intended to show how our use of language is governed by such factors as class, gender, race, etc. A subsection of this area is anthropological linguistics, which is concerned with form and use of language in different cultures, and to what extent the development of language has been influenced by cultural environment. Consequently, it is vital to develop our cultural awareness and to deepen our knowledge about the different cultures [2].
The subject «foreign language» introduces not only the culture of the countries of the target language, but by comparison demonstrates the features of national culture, introduces the universal values. In other words, it helps students in the context of the «dialogue of cultures». The term «culture of the target language» refers to the body of knowledge and experience that allows students to be appropriate members of the intercultural communication [1]. Any foreign language should be taught as a phenomenon of social and cultural reality. Special attention should be given to the formation of learners' communication skills, cultural competence and positive attitude towards another culture. The development of sociocultural competence in language teaching supposes a communication-oriented approach. Sociocultural competence anticipates the knowledge of another culture, respect and tolerance towards others. The purpose of learning a foreign language and culture can be expressed as a preparation to real intercultural communication.
A number of authors interpret the intercultural communication as an adequate understanding of communication participants belonging to different countries. Anthropology is a holistic science which encompasses every aspect of human society and culture at present. It can also trace human evolution and development stretching back into prehistory. There are two main branches of anthropology [3, 32-37]: 1) Cultural or social anthropology which studies living human societies and their cultural systems; 2) Physical or biological anthropology which is primarily concerned with human evolution at a much greater time depth.
Typical issues in anthropological linguistics are linguistic relativity, systems of address, politeness or different modes of communication across cultures.The ethnography of communication is concerned with cultural differences in acts of communication, in particular what additional features accompany speech. Countries also differ is the use of the hands when talking. The body movements used in communication (kinesics) can vary over relatively small distances. Northern Europeans in general use their hands sparingly when
talking; indeed Irish men very often just keep them in their pockets. In many countries raising the eyebrows with deliberate eye contact and a slight twist of the head is used when seeking approval or asking a question.
In certain African cultures it is regarded as impertinent to look someone in the eye who is perceived as socially superior. The lack of eye contact can be disconcerting for Europeans who may regard it as a sign of deviousness. The question of touch is another sensitive issue. In most European cultures, shaking the hand of someone you meet is normal at the beginning of an encounter. Women may hug each other and men on occasions too, though it is by no means established behaviour. This does not apply outside Europe to any like the same extent. In east and south-east Asia one might make a slight bow instead or press one one's hands together under one's chin and nod as in Thailand. There are strong taboos on touching others in various cultures. This question is related to gender as well. It is not allowed for strangers to touch a woman they do not know in Arabic countries so one should not attempt to shake the hand of another man's wife. Every conversation has a beginning and an end. The right to initiate a conversation may not apply to everyone, but only to an older person or a social superior. The termination of a conversation is less strongly codified though this too may be done by the person with relatively more social status.
Sociolinguistics looks at the role which language plays in society, the identity function it has in communities and how attitudes frequently determine language use. Vernacular forms of language are important for the internal cohesion of social networks. Socially driven language change can be observed by minute investigation of variation. Such change can be triggered by the imitation of prestige groups and their forms of language.
References
1. Byram M. and et all. (2001). Developing InterculturalCompetence in Practice. -Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.
2. Diafi F. (2017). The Impact of Culture Teaching on EFL Students' Cultural Awareness. -New York Press, 345.
3. Hickey R. (2004). Language and Society. - New York: Doubleday, 32-37.
