arded as the most complete one:
Culture is a system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors and artifacts the m embers of a society use to cope with their world and with one another, and that are transmitted from generation to generation through learning.[2]
“Culture” in the contemporary teaching of language may be understood on broad and narrow senses, divided into two kinds: “Culture with big C” which focuses on “the sum total of a people’s achievement and contribution: art, music, literature, technology, scientific discoveries and philosophy” and “Culture with a small C” which includes “ the behavior patterns of the life style of people: when and what they eat, how they make a living, the way they organize their society, the attitudes they express towards friends and members of their families, how they act in different situations, which expressions they use to show approval and disapproval, the traditions they must observe, and so on”.[3]
Language can be defined in many ways depending on the characteristics one wishes to stress. Therefore, it is difficult for us to arrive at a single definition. However, a good example of an all-inclusive descriptive definition is as follows;
A language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols by means of which the members of speech community communicate, interact, and transmit their culture.
This definition given by Albert B. Cook Ⅲ emphasizes not only the function of language being a tool of communication, but also the one of its being an important vehicle of culture. [4]
As it is known, language has at least two rule systems: one is the structural system, which consists of phonology, morphology and syntax; the other is the use system, which is closely bound up with social behavior and social. Situation and determines whether language is used appropriately or inappropriately.
2.2 The Relationship between Culture and Language
Why is culture so important for foreign language teaching? The answer lies in the close relationship between language and culture.
Firstly, the relationship between language and culture is that between a part and the whole. Culture has several components, one of which is language. The Chinese language is part of Chinese culture and English is also part of English culture. Every culture has its own disparate culture.
Secondly, language is the carrier and container of culture. Human knowledge and experience are described, stored and evaluated in language including customs, habits and behavioral patterns, social institutions, value systems, beliefs, world views even the visual and auditory arts. To be sure, culture can exist in the form of materials. But language as the medium of communication is indispensable in their production and use. For example, during the production, the cooperation between the workers is carried out through language. Even the manuals of the products such as the washing machine are a proof of the fact that language can represent every aspect of culture.
Thirdly, as a mirror of culture, language is strongly influenced and shaped by culture. Words, grammar, language use, idioms and proverbs are all shaped to varying degrees by culture. Take the words for example; “Tai ji” is very familiar to our Chinese whereas there is not a word related to it in English because it is the special culture production in Chinese history.
Fourthly, language als
