Cultural activities are the several activities carried out by a particular set of people or groups with the sole aim of enhancing the awareness of a particular culture in the eyes of the general public. Because language is a major element of culture– one of the things that defines a culture, we can say that being involved in various cultural activities and events is relevant to learning a language. In this article, you will be surprised to learn that not only are these cultural activities relevant, but through some simple ways you can personally engage in some of them in a way that canl help you in your language-learning process.
Why it is Important to Learn a Language by Engaging in Various Cultural Activities
Given that the process of learning a language is not an isolated task, people who really want to get proficient in a language find out that proper learning of that language requires them to be part of the culture of that language. It is only within a language’s cultural context can a lot of misunderstanding that happens in language learning be prevented. Below are reasons that point to the connection between language learning and culture and the importance of cultural activities in learning a language
Increases Motivation
Most cultural activities have a prevalent language they are promoting voluntarily or involuntarily. This is because there is a cultural background these cultural activities are rooted in. Once one begins to get involved in these cultural activities, without realizing it, one becomes more interested in that prevalent language. Such interest can result in extra motivation for those who are already learning the language.
Improves Interaction Between Foreigners and Native Speakers
As new language learners become acquainted with the culture surrounding a language, they are better able to interact with the indigenes of that culture as well as the language native speakers. This is because like an unspoken dictionary, learning the culture behind a language through cultural activities is a likely ticket to understanding the hidden meanings behind some of the words and phrases used regularly by native speakers of that language.
Enhances Your Perception of the Language
When someone who is learning a language is estranged from the culture of that language, they develop a false perception of the language. Learning a language alongside its culture allows you to throw away any false misconception you might have had about the language. You see the language for what it is and can tell if you want to continue learning the language from the insight you gain.
How Various Cultural Activities and Events Can Help You Learn a Language
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The Dressing Element and Fashion Shows
One of the elements of culture is dressing. It says a lot about a culture. In learning a new language, you can go to different cultural fashion shows and discover things about a culture you never imagined. You might be surprised to find how the language you are learning is embedded in these dressing styles and fashions.
Movies and Theatre Productions
There are movies and theater productions that focus on certain cultures. Sometimes they go as far as promoting a particular language by mixing a minority language with a majority language. You can look out for such films and entertainment productions to help you learn the language you are interested in.
Various Occasions
Have you ever attended a wedding ceremony done in a particular culture and gotten carried away with the uniqueness of how things were done? That should tell you that it is possible to understand a culture through the lenses of these ceremonies (weddings, burials, baby showers, naming ceremonies, and others). If that is possible, it means in understanding the culture, you can better grasp the meanings of some words, phrases, idioms, and sentences in that language because they were used during these ceremonies.
Other Forms of Arts and Literature
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Apart from going to cinemas and theaters, other cultural activities that are art and literature based exist, such as music, paintings, books, and folklore. All these can be used to help you learn a new language. For example, you can meet people at certain cultural music festivals and learn more about a language, or find book events that promote certain books and authors that speak about a language.
Activities And Events in the Deaf Communities
International Week of the Deaf
The International Week of the Deaf is celebrated in the last week of September every year. It was said to have launched in the mid-nineteenth century. This particular event aims to create awareness about the Deaf culture, the deaf communities, and the challenges faced by the deaf and hard of hearing.
International Day of Sign Languages
September 23rd is the day that was declared by the United Nations to mark the International Day of Sign Languages. The main focus for that day and all activities carried out towards this purpose is to increase the awareness and inclusivity of sign languages all over the world.
World Deaf Day
This day is also included in the International Week of the Deaf. It takes place on the last Sunday in September. The aim of this celebration is basically to highlight the daily challenges of the deaf and ways to alleviate these difficulties.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
In celebrating this particular yearly event which takes place on December 3rd, one understands who people with disabilities really are. They are those who are unable to fully and effectively participate in mainstream society due to either social, mental, or physical hindrances.
Conclusion
The Deaf culture is an entire set of values, traditions, and practices majorly centered around the deaf and hard of hearing. Members of Deaf communities constitute the deaf culture. The primary mode of communication in the deaf culture and Deaf communities is sign language. Therefore, it is possible to encourage members and non-members of Deaf communities to learn ASL by celebrating the specified dates/events discussed above, meant to acknowledge the deaf or hard of hearing, with various cultural activities in the mix.
To get ASL learning resources to speed up your ASL learning, visit SignBee Academy.
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