We think it important that students understand that their use of language reflects their culture and the implicit political and social values that accompany it. There are several things to keep in mind when discussing language.
Words Are symbols.
A symbol is something that stands for something else. Symbols were created by humans so that they might convey meanings for other humans. Symbols can have different meanings for different people. Symbols can have more than one meaning for the same person. Words are symbols that have been developed by cultures to represent objects, concepts, actions, characteristics, and conditions.