Introduction

African cultural background, values, and beliefs played a key role in my interpersonal communication. To communicate freely in the globalized society; I have to master and understand other cultural values to avoid communication barriers. An effective process is the one that allows an individual to express oneself in the best way possible. The language we use is greatly influenced by several factors such as culture,  traditions, attitudes of the people, linguistic features, religion and the location of growth just to mention a few. It is, therefore, critical that I understand all these factors so that I perfect on my communication skills.

Culture, values and attitudes

To understand the concept of language, it is paramount that we ask ourselves how we learn a language.  The common source of language understanding is the place where we are brought up. To understand a certain language, one must learn to speak the language used in the local surrounding. The surroundings have a significant influence on how we communicate. For instance, my family members especially the parents have been instrumental in the way I communicate today. Back in my country, Ivory Coast, my parents taught me many lessons that have been critical in my transformation as grown up person. The parents taught me on the choice of words and how one can effectively express herself. In essence, family members and people within the surrounding have a great influence on the way I construct words, pronunciation and also in spoken or written language.

Culture and language are also interdependent and play a significant role in shaping the way we think. Cultural changes have resulted in the continuous process of language evolution. Both spoken and written language has been greatly influenced by culture. For us to understand how culture and language are related and how they shape our thinking, it is paramount that we know what exactly culture refers to. In most cases, culture is defined by the activities of people, especially in a particular geographical location. The culture varies from one community to another, and this provides for the richness of language.  For instance, Africa has diversity in culture and languages. However, the interaction between the different cultural settings has developed into the person I am today.

I have been able to learn one language after the other due to the transition of culture. In my native country, the official language is French, which is developed after the interaction with our colonial masters. This helped me evolve from the mother tongue in my village to an international language. Researchers have classified languages into three distinct families namely; European and Asian, Pacific and African and American Indian. However, all these families have different cultural values that have lead to their formation.

As a result of the different cultural interactions, I have been able to learn the order of words, use of consonants, vowels, and tonal accent. The culture within which we were brought up was significant determinants of the language we use today. It is imperative to understand that there are acceptable cultural standards that set the bar on what to communicate. There are significant social traits are also paramount in influencing the language used.  The traits give guidelines in the way different genders, classes and age differences are supposed to communicate. The culture contributes immensely to the core values necessary in a social setting. For example, African culture has a tendency of according immeasurable respect to the elderly. It is for this reason that my choice of words, especially to the aged, is of paramount importance. In this perspective, culture has shaped me to be an honest person full of respect for the elderly in the society.

It is also important to note that languages borrow sounds, grammar and vocabulary from one another.  Having understood this, I have been able to cope with people from different parts of the world and different languages. For instance, I have learned to speak American English, which could be different from English spoken in other regions of the world especially in Britain. I have tried to cope with the cultural differences to deal with possible communication barriers. From my perspective, it is fair to say that the perfect interaction between language and culture has increased the similarities among the different languages instead to widening the difference. It is worth understanding that culture has been instrumental in enriching language in terms f literature and dialect. In my case, I have been able to mingle with people from different cultures in the various countries freely as a result of my mastery of the language and culture.

Religion

Religion has also been significant in my overall development as a person. Africa has great value for the religion where certain religious values must be upheld. Most of the population in my country is Christians though there are also Muslims and other traditional religions. My firm religious standing and norms have been significant in shaping me as a person.  There have been numerous religious teachings since I was a small child to date I am a grown up. Throughout my life, I have practiced living according to these teachings I am not leaving hem soon.

Religion and language are inseparable, and one needs the other for efficient development. For instance, understanding of the language is critical to understanding the religious teachings. Both the Bible and the Quran are written language and one must have a great mastery of the language to understand these instructions. For instance, there is the use of metaphors and symbolism in these holy books. High levels of language understanding are critical to uncover this coded information. Religion also has guided me to uphold high moral and ethical values in my spoken language. This has shaped me into a religious, honest and disciplined person in my communication.  Use of abusive language or cheating is highly disregarded in religion settings, and these have been my guiding principle while talking.

Conclusion

As earlier stated, African background, values, and beliefs forms a significant part of the interpersonal interaction. During these interactions, especially in the globalized society, communication is very critical. An individual must have a great mastery of both spoken and written language if one wants to express freely oneself.  Mastery of language requires proper understanding of the different factors that influence the language we speak or write.

It is important to note that my cultural background, values, and religion has played a significant role in developing my interpersonal relationship skills. Social, conventions, attitudes and natural beliefs have molded me into a person of high integrity and full f wisdom to express myself. My ability to learn and understand different cultural settings have enabled my interpersonal relationships even away from my native country. In conclusion, language and culture are critical interdependent aspects necessary for interpersonal relations.

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