The question, “Can a culture survive without a language?” is a fundamental one, and is often asked by people from all walks of life. If a culture can survive without its language, how can it communicate with its members and with the rest of the world? To answer this question, we must first understand how language influences perception. The existence of a language is necessary to human society. Those who cannot understand language cannot communicate with each other.
Sapir’s view, however, challenges the idea that a culture is not a biological construct. Languages and their systems, according to Sapir, are a product of culture. They display cultural experiences, and so their vocabulary and morphology are unique. Sapir’s idea can be difficult to understand, but it makes sense if you think about it. Then, consider the fact that language-based cultures are much more likely to be more diverse than cultures with no languages.
The reason why human cultures need languages is simple: communication is an essential part of culture. Languages form a symbolic representation of what people believe and how they communicate with one another. Unlike animal behaviour, languages and cultures are always changing, especially in industrialized countries. But the human culture, despite its diversity, is an integral part of culture. Without a language, it is impossible to communicate with other people and learn about their lives.
