Cultural Literacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Cultural Literacy - Essay Example Firstly, it multiplies access to practices, ideas and people that can make positive contributions to our societies. Secondly it helps us understand ourselves more deeply. The knowledge of language makes one understand and use values and beliefs of a particular culture in the manner that the norms of that society demand as seen in the use of idioms, proverb and allusions. On the other hand, knowledge of the languages of other cultures will also help individuals understand the beliefs and values of those cultures. For instance, the knowledge of English has made people whose primary language is not English to learn more about the English Culture starting with their origin, values, beliefs and use of technology. In this way, people are able to operate machines, use computers and other technologies by using the English language or so. The knowledge of language makes these people understand themselves better in their society and rate themselves about who they are in the face of other cultu res. They become aware of their own implicit beliefs and therefore adopt those that are legitimate. Again, cultural literacy has also unveiled shortfalls in certain cultural beliefs and values. Because of the knowledge of western cultures, many people, who initially got stuck in their very primitive cultural beliefs and values are now taking new life styles.