symbols and languages

A symbol is a representation of an idea, it is a reality that evokes others in our mind through some procedure of analogy. The symbol can also represent a feeling.


WHY ARE SYMBOLS AND LANGUAGES SO IMPORTANT?

Symbols are the basis of culture. A symbol is an object, word, or action that stands for something else with no natural relationship that is culturally defined. Everything one does throughout their life is based and organized through cultural symbolism. Symbolism is when something represents abstract ideas or concepts. Some good examples of symbols/symbolism would be objects, figures, sounds, and colors. For example in the Hawaiian culture, the performance of a Lua is a symbol of their land and heritage which is performed through song and dance . Also, they could be facial expressions or word interpretations. Symbols mean different things to different people, which is why it is impossible to hypothesize how a specific culture will symbolize something. Some symbols are gained from experience, while others are gained from culture. One of the most common cultural symbols is language. For example, the letters of an alphabet symbolize the sounds of a specific spoken language.

Symbolism leads to the “Layers of Meaning” concept. Culture is the meaning that is shared to provide guiding principles for individual meaning.

Language is the most often used form of symbolism. There are 6,912 known living languages, and the diversity is caused by isolation. Most languages have a different “symbol” for each letter, word, or phrase. The use of symbols is adaptive, that means that humans can learn to associate new symbols to a concept or new concepts with a symbol.

"Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going."

Rita Mae Brown


  • What will you be doing in this mobility?

We will participate in the Erasmus first mobility abroad of the project FLOWS OF LIFE, in which you will learn about the importance of symbols and languages in building up our cultural and personal identity. These are the activities you will take part in:

  1. Trips to Montserrat, Sitges, Igualada and Barcelona

  2. eDictionary teamwork

  3. Pocket expressions in concept maps

  4. Erasmus misunderstandings on a comic strip

  5. Human towers Rehearsal

  6. Local highlights webquest

  7. Symbols through food at a picnic lunch


  • How are we going to assess this project?

Teachers will evaluate the previous activity and the e-Dictionary oral presentations with a rubric.

And next week you will grade more general aspects of the whole project through a questionnaire.

💕We very much hope you will have lots of fun with this project!!!