We all see the events and objects around us through a cultural lens that colors, alters, and shapes our perceptions. In a broader aspect, culture shapes the way people experience their world. Although a culture is generally understood and thought of as the food, clothing, holidays, and music that a group of people participate in, culture goes deeper than just the visible traditions of a group. Culture refers to the behaviors and interactions of a people and representative structures. in which to give meaning to such behavior. Human nature, history and the environment have influenced and caused the many differences and similarities between the various cultures that exist today. A culture includes a shared language or communication system, beliefs, values, customs, and artifacts. These aspects of human nature direct and influence our actions, thoughts and forms of expression; as well as dividing a people and distinguishing groups of different cultures due to the dynamic nature of human beings. Language is at the center of human experience; It is essential that people learn to understand their culture. Although language is a uniquely human gift, it differs from different ethnic groups and their communication components: oral expression, oral comprehension, written expression and reading comprehension. However, language can also be non-verbal in expression such as body language. Through the use of hand gestures, body language and eye contact we can often understand what is considered appropriate for socialising. For example, in some cultures certain hand gestures and direct eye contact may be seen as disrespectful; while in others it means a certain air of punctuation. A language or communication system is designed by a group of pe...... middle of paper ......culture, human nature and history of our people, we develop our communication system, our beliefs and values, customs and artefacts. Works Cited Barnlund, Dean. "Communication in a global village". Accessed October 27, 2011. http://www.lcc.gatech.edu/~herrington/classes/4406f2000/barnlund.html.Cowings, John S. National Defense University, “VALUES AND ETHICS.” Accessed 27 October 2011. http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ndu/strat-ldr-dm/pt4ch15.html.Glanvill, John. "Values ​​and beliefs." Accessed October 27, 2011. http://johnglanvill.com/values-and-beliefs/.MERRIAM-WEBSTER ONLINE. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, s.v. "tradition." http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tradition (accessed October 27, 2011). Straker, David. "Elements of culture". Accessed 27 October 2011. http://changingminds.org/explanations/culture/elements_of_culture.htm.