How are cultural differences reflected and perpetuated by languages and dialects?

Answer 1

Languages and dialects perpetuate and reflect cultural differences because... dialects and languages are kind of like skin color even though no one really wants to be seen as different, they can't help it, they just are. Dialects are sprouted by regions. The ones who never leave their region have a stronger dialect, to the point the they are some times not able to be understood. For example the saying "you are the spittin' image of so and so" is really a saying from the bayou of Louisiana. It is "you are the spirit and image of so and so" but because they had such a strong southern french dialect/language the first one is what everyone understood.

Another example of this is: Southern Italy. Sicily to be exact. There dialect is so Strong that people from Rome or Milan cannot even understand what a (Old fashioned) Sicilian is trying to say most of the time. It really and truly is another language in itself. I know from experience, I have a foreign husband and we have lived in Italy...
I could probably go on and on on this subject but I better stop while I am ahead. Hope this helps...

Answer 2

Perhaps the difference in language tells alot about cultural history and origin. In China, the writing itself has evolved over centuries. Also, the difference between Cantonese and Mandarin (if you can hear the difference in the dialects and tones) tells me some things about its culture. For instance, in cantonese, the language sounds real harsh and loud whereas in mandarin it's softer. I conclude that people in Canton and Hong Kong are more blunt than those living in Taiwan who speaks mandarin.