In chapter three, you begin to explore the heart of sociology. The concept of culture is central to understanding this discipline. Most of who we are and how we define ourselves is intrinsically bound to culture creating. The culture we create is expressed and maintained by our ability to communicate with each other through language. Language is truly the basis for culture creation and preservation and is one of the paramount accomplishments of our species.
Culture is the totality of learned, socially transmitted information and behavior.
It includes both nonmaterial culture which is ideas, values, beliefs, as well as the material or physical artifacts of the society. The term society refers to a significant population of people who share a geographic area, a language and a way of life together. Language is an abstract system of word meanings and symbols for all aspects of culture. As you are reading, please stop to think about the meaning and importance of the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis . Under most circumstances, the subculture is a numerical minority of the total population in the society.