This document discusses how language and culture change over time due to globalization and foreign influences. It provides the example of how the Japanese language has adapted words from other languages like "picnic" from English. The changes in a language are evidence that its culture is also being influenced, such as with the decreased use of kanji in Japan and increased use of katakana and hiragana. If this trend of cultural dispersion continues around the world, individual languages and cultures may be threatened or lost altogether.

1. Change in Language and Change in Culture
October 28 2004 By: Akira Oshima Ph.D
Various languages in some countries are have a flirt, and Thais wear contak len. Although,
different and constantly changing with the some individuals do not realize that they are
creation of new words. Understandable, but, what getting influence. The change in the language is,
are the causes for these changes? Some speculates in itself, more than enough evidence to show that
that the causes for these changes in language a change is occurring. The impact, however, may
occur due to a change in culture. These changes in be fast, or slow, but one thing is for certain; if this
culture are probably due to fo+-reign interference, continues, languages around the world will
namely, the effects of globalization. constantly change, as new words appear.
In countries such as Japan, people do not Even though it looks as if only languages
go on a “picnics” but rather participate in will be affected by globalization, but in reality
“ensokus” culture itself will also be affected. As different
most countries adapt themselves with the rapid changes
accurately in the world, they start to forget about their
defined as an culture. For instance the Japanese language, the
excursion. use of kanji has decreased, and now people are
However, as favouring katakana and hiragana. This in itself
Japanese shows that Japanese culture is dispersing. If this
A family holding a picnic at a park people have occurs within a country, shouldn’t other countries
(http://www.rd.com/livinghealthy/healthy-
picnic-food-recipes/article81533.html) adapted, the also be affected by this? Is it true that we are
word losing our culture and language? Or is it all
“ensoku” can no longer be used to fully express merely a façade? The present is ephemeral; we
“picnic”. For this reason, Japanese people have can’t keep on living in a false dream without
adapted the English word “picnic” and have realizing the threats that will be brought upon us.
converted this into a more accessible form, Culture separates us from others if our languages
“pikuniku.” Though somewhat crude, this form is and culture were to be taken away. Wouldn’t
extremely useful, since it is pronounced almost people lose all senses of individuality? If people
exactly the same as picnic. Before this process of don’t realize this impending threat, then the only
westernization occurred in Japan, people would thing that will exist in the future is merely a
only rely on “ensoku” since according to the fragment of our “sonzai,” our existence. A future
Oxford Dictionaries picnic: is “an occasion when where people can’t even enjoy the view of cherry
a packed meal is eaten outdoors, especially during blossom, and the joy of “hanami,” will cease to
an outing to the countryside.” And the only time exist.
when Japanese people partake in something
similar to a picnic is during a “hanami,” or flower
viewing festival. This is when people come
together in one area to partake in food,
socialization, whilst enjoying the beauty of the
“sakura” trees. However is this truly a picnic?
According to the Oxford definition, picnic is
when you eat in the countryside. So is eating in
front of your house still considered a picnic?
Though technically incorrect, Japanese people
still use the word “pikuniku” instead of “ensoku.”
As a result, some words are then used less, and in
the long term it might not be used altogether. Hanami Festival where Sakura (cherry-blossom)
trees can be seen in full bloom trees
Other countries are also affected by this, (http://www.gregtakayama.com/hanami-part-3)
such as how Poles watch telewizja, Spaniards