The document provides 10 definitions of culture from various theorists. Broadly, the definitions characterize culture as a shared system of symbols, meanings, assumptions, and patterns of behavior that are learned and transmitted between individuals in a group to provide structure, predictability and a sense of identity. Culture is described as being everywhere yet invisible, providing norms and rules to guide how people perceive, think, feel and act within a society or organization.

1. Theorists Definitions of ‘Culture’
Definitions of ‘Culture’
1. [Culture is] “The shared system of symbolic knowledge and patterns of
behaviour, derived from speech communication, that human individuals carry to
provide predictable internal and external psychological stability so as to prevent
chaos among human individuals. We learn cultural codes for social life, role
expectations, common definitions of situations, and social norms in order to
provide predictability and survival of the human species. Human language
(spoken and written) is the symbolic ‘glue’ of human culture.”
Aldridge M G. (2002). What is the basis of Human Culture. Intercultural
Communication http://www.immi.se/intercultural/. [Cited Wall, S & Rees,
B. Introduction to International Business./ FT Prentice Hall.]
2. “We can liken it [culture] to the air: it is everywhere, we cannot see it, but we
know it is there, we breathe it and we cannot exist without it. Culture is not a
biological necessity and we will not die if we are deprived of it. But it is rather
improbable, if not impossible for a person to be devoid of the traces of his or her
cultural upbringing and separated from his or her cultural context.”
Tyab, M. (2000). International Business: Theories, Policies & Practices.
FT/Prentice Hall. [Cited Wall, S & Rees, B. Introduction to International
Business. FT Prentice Hall.]
3. “[Culture]…denotes an historically transmitted pattern of meaning embodied in
symbols, a system of inherited conceptions expressed in symbolic forms by means
of which men communicate, perpetuate their knowledge about and attitudes
toward life.”
Geertz, C. (1973) Pg 89. The Interpretation of Culture. Basic Books New Yk.
[Cited: Martin, J N & Nakayama, TK (2003) Intercultural Communication in
Contexts. McGraw & Hill.] http://www.mhhe.com/martinnakayama/
4. “Every person carries within him or herself patterns of thinking, feeling, and
potential acting which were learned throughout his or her lifetime. Much of these
patterns are acquired in early childhood, because at that time a person is most
susceptible to learning and assimilating.”
Hofstede, G. (1997) Pg 4. Cultures & Organisations: software of the Mind.
[Revised Edn] Mc Graw Hill New Yk.
[Cited: Martin, J N & Nakayama, TK (2003) Intercultural Communication in
Contexts. McGraw & Hill.]

2. 5. “Culture is defined as a pattern of learned, group-related perception – including
both verbal and non-verbal language attitudes, values, belief system, disbelief
systems and behaviour.”
Singer, MR (1987) Pg 34. Intercultural Communication: A Perceptual
Approach. Prentice Hall.
[Cited: Martin, J N & Nakayama, TK (2003) Intercultural Communication in
Contexts. McGraw & Hill.]
6. “Culture … refers to a socially constructed and historically transmitted pattern of
symbols, meaning, premises and rules.”
Philipsen, G (1992) Pg 7. Speaking Culturally: Explorations in Social
Communication. State University of New Yk Press.
7. [Corporate Culture]…” is the pattern of basic assumptions that a given group has
invented, discovered or developed in learning to cope with its problems of
external adaptation and internal integration. These have worked well enough to be
considered valid, and are therefore taught to new members as the correct way to
perceive, think and feel in relation to those problems.”
Schein, EH. (1984) Coming to a new Awareness of Organisation Culture. Sloan
Management Review. Winter Issue. [Cited: Jacob, N. (2003) Intercultural
Management. Kogan Page. London.]
8. “The core of culture is composed of explicit and tacit assumptions or
understandings commonly held by a group of people; a particular configuration
of assumptions/ understandings is distinctive to the group; these assumptions /
understandings serve as guides to acceptable and unacceptable perceptions,
thoughts, feelings and behaviours; they are learned and passed on to new
members of the group through social interaction; culture is dynamic – it changes
over time.”
Boyacigiller NA et al. (2003) Conceptualising Culture – elucidating the Streams
of Research in International Cross-Cultural Management. In : Handbook for
International Management Research. (2003) 2nd Ed. Univ of Michigan Press.
[Cited: Martin, J N & Nakayama, TK (2003) Intercultural Communication in
Contexts. McGraw & Hill.]
9 [Culture is]… “ That complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, art,
morals, laws, customs, and any other capabilities or habits acquired by a person
as a member of society.” Tylor (1871) [Cited: Lewis, H. Bournemouth
University Lecture 2005 (Unpublished) ]
10 [Culture is] … “A way of life of a group of people…. The patterns of learned
behaviour which are handed down from one generation to the next through the
means of language and imitation.” Barnouw (1963) [Cited: Lewis, H.
Bournemouth University Lecture 2005 (Unpublished)