Question

Select the correct answer from the drop-down menu.

Read these sentences from the passage.

The Japanese place a stronger emphasis on propriety and saving face than Western cultures do. An American, finding himself in the situation described above, would probably just say, “Hey, I really wish you hadn’t done me that favor.”

How does this evidence support the idea that language reflects the culture and values of a society?
This evidence provides an example of how

Answer 1

The passage reveals how language usage, such as the Japanese preference for propriety and the American tendency towards directness, reflects cultural values and shapes thought and behavior, supporting the idea that language reflects culture.

Step-by-step explanation:

The evidence from the passage that describes the differences in how Japanese and American cultures approach propriety and directness helps to support the idea that language reflects culture and values. The American tendency to be more direct, as indicated by the statement “Hey, I wish you hadn’t done me that favor,” contrasts with the Japanese emphasis on propriety and saving face, highlighting the societal norms and values that are deeply ingrained in each culture's language.

Examples like the different perceptions of the numbers thirteen and four in the U.S. and Japan, respectively, further illustrate how language shapes thought and, by extension, behavior. Such cultural nuances in language demonstrate the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, suggesting that the structure and vocabulary of a language influence the way its speakers perceive the world around them. The diversity of language and how it is used to navigate social settings, from the Japanese formality to the vernaculars used by different communities, underscores the performative and relational aspects of linguistic expression.