Page 33 - Reading Between the Sign Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters

18 Reading Between the Signs

tions unfit for human beings.’” From the traditional Navajo point
of view, however, it is we Anglos who should be pitied for having
bathrooms inside our houses; Navajos believe “it is disgusting to
put a toilet under the roof of their living quarters rather than at a
distance from the dwelling place” (Highwater 1981, 8).
Once we realize that there are vast differences between some
of our beliefs and those of people from other cultures, we may
feel a bit like the floor has dropped out from under us. If virtually
all of our perceptions are mediated by culture, then what is really
true and valid? Principles that we accept as universal truths be-
cause they are not questioned in our society, such as marrying for
love and making decisions about our future based on our own
individual desires, are nothing more than the particular thinking
of our culture. Delving into cultural exploration may shake us out
of our mental ruts. The insights we gain about what it means to be
human, however, are well worth the momentary disequilibrium.

What Is Culture?

Since this book will focus on the influence of culture on our per-
ceptions, thoughts, and behaviors, it would seem that the logical
starting place would be a succinct, generally accepted definition
of culture. Unfortunately, that is no simple task. Over a hundred
definitions of culture have been offered. One way to begin may
be, therefore, to eliminate what we do not mean by culture. Cul-
ture, in the context of this inquiry, is not something one acquires
by attending the ballet, listening to classical music, or critiquing
modern art. In fact, we don’t have to make any special effort to
attain it at all; we have already acquired it by virtue of being raised
in human society.
Perhaps the earliest definition of culture, and one that is still
serviceable, was proposed in 1871 by Edward B. Tylor, known as
the father of cultural anthropology, in Primitive Culture. “Culture…is
that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, mor-
als, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired
by man as a member of society” (Tylor 1958, 1). Tylor’s phrase,
“a complex whole,” points up that culture is not a haphazard, ar-
bitrary collection of behaviors but rather consists of parts which
together make up an integrated system.
That culture is “acquired” differentiates it from the purely bio-
logical. The fact that we lose our baby teeth is not an element of

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