On the interdependence between language and culture

Man grows within a cultural framework, and interacts with the members of that cultural build, and while adopting a way of life builds and develops his “worldhood”. Language being an indispensable tool of cultural engagement and societal integration derives its legitimate definition and reference from the performance of this unique function. Given the interdependence between language and culture, a harm or disregard of one portends a terrible danger and harm on the other. With English; the colonial language, a rupture has been created in the “worldhood” of Nigerians that terribly threatens their cultural identity. Between language and culture there is always an interactive influence: the two cannot exist without each other, since language is purveyor of culture. Problems arise when indigenous languages are violently denigrated and or even abandoned for socio-economic reasons. This is a problem this work sets out to address. To do this, the nexus between culture and language will be highlighted. The methodology here will be basically descriptive, expository and analytic. The aim is to reawaken the consciousness of rediscovering the cultural roots of African nations by a deliberate engagement in scientific studies with the indigenous languages for a more enhanced scientific learning that does not compartmentalize the individual both in the learning process and afterwards.