Language defines culture

The language we use helps to create and maintain the cultures we belong to. With language we need to pay attention to what is said and also the way it is said. Our cultures have everything to do with our identity fundamentals such as ethnicity, gender, and sexuality. In chapter 5 the issue of gay marriage is brought up having to do with culture. Denny and Joel are trying to be approved for a same-sex marriage but have gotten denied. The book says that since the marriage request was legally denied then with the denial it also questions there spirituality or relationship with God. For many decades the culture of relationships in America included a woman and a man. Marriage had always been involving a man and a woman; never 2 men or 2 women. The language interpretation of “John and Mary are getting married” is normal in the American culture but if someone were to say “John and John are getting married”, the statement would seem incorrect. Personally I was raised catholic and in the Catholic Church it is strictly believed that marriage should be between a man and a woman. I respect my religion and believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman however, I also feel that love sees no gender and with that said I have no problems with gay couples wanting to be together officially but I feel that if they were to call their partnership “marriage”, it would be highly disrespectful to the Catholic church. The subject of gay marriage is very complicated yet it is becoming more and more popular these days. It is ironic but I have a gay friend who still attends church every Sunday and has a strong relationship with God. Even though the American culture in the past has only advertised heterosexual relationships, the culture seems to be adapting into somewhat accepting gay and lesbian couples. With that said maybe a new language will form to our new culture of acceptance and perhaps a new word will be made for a Gay/Lesbian partnership rather than just calling it “ gay marriage”.