About this Research Topic
We are pleased to introduce the collection Frontiers in Psychology – Highlights in Cultural Psychology: Language
Language is an inherently intertwined social element of culture, whereby, in most cases, the use of a particular language can point to a specific group of people and culture. Understanding this fundamental relationship between culture and language is important as language allows for the expression and communication of values, beliefs, and customs, which, in turn, allows a group’s traditions to be transmitted and preserved. However, these same values, beliefs, and customs will influence how a group communicates, what words and metaphors are used, and which topics may be inappropriate to discuss. This can be seen by comparing language usage between different cultures, where moral values are conveyed in varied ways. It is important that we acknowledge and understand the significance of language within a cultural context and highlight the areas where more research is needed. For example, we still know very little about how language responds to market integration and why it can either lead to cultural and linguistic erosion or, conversely, to the strengthening of both language and culture in some minority cultures. This research topic will act as a platform to further expand our understanding of the deeply entwined relationship between cultural psychology and language, and how this knowledge can be utilized to preserve minority culture’s values, beliefs, and customs.
This collection will welcome and showcase a selection of articles on a cultural psychology perspective of language, authored by leaders in the field.
The work presented here highlights the broad diversity of research performed across the Cultural Psychology field and aims to put a spotlight on the main areas of interest.
This collection aims to further support Frontiers’ strong community by shining a spotlight on our authors' highly impactful research.
Language is an inherently intertwined social element of culture, whereby, in most cases, the use of a particular language can point to a specific group of people and culture. Understanding this fundamental relationship between culture and language is important as language allows for the expression and communication of values, beliefs, and customs, which, in turn, allows a group’s traditions to be transmitted and preserved. However, these same values, beliefs, and customs will influence how a group communicates, what words and metaphors are used, and which topics may be inappropriate to discuss. This can be seen by comparing language usage between different cultures, where moral values are conveyed in varied ways. It is important that we acknowledge and understand the significance of language within a cultural context and highlight the areas where more research is needed. For example, we still know very little about how language responds to market integration and why it can either lead to cultural and linguistic erosion or, conversely, to the strengthening of both language and culture in some minority cultures. This research topic will act as a platform to further expand our understanding of the deeply entwined relationship between cultural psychology and language, and how this knowledge can be utilized to preserve minority culture’s values, beliefs, and customs.
This collection will welcome and showcase a selection of articles on a cultural psychology perspective of language, authored by leaders in the field.
The work presented here highlights the broad diversity of research performed across the Cultural Psychology field and aims to put a spotlight on the main areas of interest.
This collection aims to further support Frontiers’ strong community by shining a spotlight on our authors' highly impactful research.
Keywords: Culture, Language, Language Culture, market integration, values, beliefs, customs, communication
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
