LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND

SOCIETY

TSL1044
PPISMP JUNE 2014

LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION
Family
School
Mass media
Religious institutions
Their effects on language

S.MOORTHY; 09 FEBRUARY 2015

DEFINITION
SOCIALIZATION - Active process whereby human beings:
Learn how to become members of society,
Develop a self or sense of individual identity, and
Learn to participate in social relationships with others.

The lifelong process by which people acquire attitudes, beliefs,

and behaviour patterns expected of a specific society.

S.MOORTHY; 09 FEBRUARY 2015

AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION
People and groups that influence our self-concept,
emotions, attitudes, and behaviour.
Agents of socialization prepare us for our place in society.

S.MOORTHY; 09 FEBRUARY 2015

AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION
FAMILY
The primary agent of socialization.
First and longest lasting agent.
Gives a child his identity, status.
Provides role models for acceptable behaviour.

S.MOORTHY; 09 FEBRUARY 2015

AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION
FAMILY
Through close interaction with parents and small number of
others, child:
Learns to think and speak.
Internalizes norms, beliefs, and values.
Learns gender roles.
Develops capacity for personal relationships.
Begins to develop a self image.
S.MOORTHY; 09 FEBRUARY 2015

AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION
SCHOOL
A secondary agent of socialization.
Teach children indirectly to be less emotionally dependent.
Adjust children to their social order.
Build character through formal curriculum and hidden
curriculum: informal teaching that helps ensure students
integration into society.
Reinforce gender roles.
Teaches norms, society behaviour, values
S.MOORTHY; 09 FEBRUARY 2015

AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION
SCHOOL
Schools teach children how to fit in by getting along with others.
Provides children with their first training in how to behave.
Schools contribute to uniformity:
Expected to both help children develop their potential and mold
them into social conformity.
The hidden curriculum- trains students to be patriotic, to believe
in their countrys cultural values and obey its laws
S.MOORTHY; 09 FEBRUARY 2015

AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION
MASS MEDIA
Create, manage, and control impressions of what is deemed
important and real.
May inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes.
Teaches functions of society, norms, values, ideals (both positive
& negative).
May teach individuals to become obedient consumers.
Exert powerful socializing influence but effects difficult to
measure.
Most effects impersonal and transmitted in one direction.
S.MOORTHY; 09 FEBRUARY 2015

AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS
Effect on moral outlook.
Influences morality.
Ideas about dress, speech, and manners that are appropriate.
Moulds the attitudes of society.
Shapes character; helps in character-building.

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AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION
EFFECTS ON LANGUAGE
Family
Parents choices affects linguistic behaviour of entire family.
Migration of families for greater educational opportunities will
increase exposure to new language varieties.
Family activities also influence language use; for e.g. movies,
reading, televison etc.

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AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION
EFFECTS ON LANGUAGE
School
Teachers play a part in the kind of language children use in
schools.
Teachers use of good language models can help characterbuilding.
Peer groups in schools also contribute; hence it is important that
children choose the right group of friends.
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AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION
EFFECTS ON LANGUAGE
Mass media
Media such as television, newspapers, comics can influence children
and society.
There are both positive and negative effects.
Media language can reflect and create culture.
Advertising language borrowed without any reason will influence
society.
Advertising language promotes products; also moods and attitudes.
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AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION
EFFECTS ON LANGUAGE
Religious institutions
Religious institutions ensure language used is standard instead
of any other local language / dialect.
Language used at religious institutions ensures appropriate
behaviour in society.
Religious institutions use language that promote socialization.

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TASK
In groups:
Choose an agent of socialization and find ONE article related to
it.
Analyse and discuss how the agent of socialization from the
article chosen influences language used.
Present how that agent of socialization affects language.

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