Culture is the characteristics and knowledge that bind a group together, such as language, religion, food, traditions, music, art and other things that make up the way a people live. It is a broad term that can be used in many ways, but it is most often associated with how a society passes on its values and beliefs to new generations.
According to the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition, “Culture is the cumulative deposit of beliefs, values, attitudes, meanings, social patterns, hierarchies, religion, notions of time, roles and spatial relations acquired by a people through social learning.”
There are different definitions of culture in the fields of archeology, anthropology, sociology and history. The most widely accepted definition comes from sociologist Georg Simmel: “Culture is the whole way of life of a group of people as manifested in their habits, customs, beliefs and values.”
It is also commonly used to refer to the arts. Cultural activities include performing arts such as dancing, singing, painting, acting and writing, and visual arts such as architecture, design and sculpture. The word is also used to refer to museums, libraries and other institutions that preserve culture.
For organizations that operate globally, a strong understanding of the differences in cultures is essential. According to Hofstede, the farther a business moves out on more than one axis from its home base, the more it needs to understand global cultures in order to be successful.
Cultural events are a great way to bring people together and share diverse traditions and customs. They can also help build stronger communities by promoting acceptance and tolerance of others. In addition, they provide an opportunity for people to learn about other people’s perspectives, which can ultimately lead to a greater understanding of the world.
As culture changes over time, so do the individuals within that culture. This dynamic nature of culture challenges ideas about ‘traditional’ or ‘authentic’ culture, which represent it as static and independent of external factors.
For example, migration may draw people away from their homes and their cultural heritage, thereby endangering some aspects of that culture. In addition, the fast pace of technological change can also alter culture. However, it is important to remember that no single aspect of culture is more important than another. The more that individuals can retain their own sense of identity and heritage, the healthier our culture will be. This is especially true when people have access to education and other opportunities for intellectual growth, which can help them stay in touch with their roots. This will allow them to be a source of cultural heritage for future generations.