How Research Other Than Your Domain Helps You in Your Own Research

How researches other than your domain helps you in your own research?

I am doing Master of Philosophy in Cultural Studies. The term culture is broad and diverse with so many vital components. One of them is the language. As we know that language is the integral part of the culture. It is not only part of the culture but the very basic means to understand and promote culture. Without language the culture is incomplete and partial. It is the language that helps us to adopt and evaluate different cultures. Keeping this crucial point in mind, I think the domain of languages is very much related to my domain and it absolutely helps me in my domain and research.

Cultural studies are multidisciplinary study of culture across social strata. It draws on the social sciences such as politics, semiotics plus music, literature and literary criticism, history, art, and language. Now, the question may arise to what extent language helps in understanding the culture? This question can be addressed through an example. A student of cultural studies who is versed in the language of the culture which he/she studies will grasp that culture far better than the student who has no knowledge of the language. If I am studying French culture and I don't know the language, I will surely have very tough and complex time to know the foundations of the French culture. Many people may argue that what is the use of studying any culture without knowing the language. This may be a valid argument. You may get basic ideas about the culture but thorough study of it vis-à-vis other cultures or for that matter other disciplines is challenging.

So, language has a direct relation with the culture. This is why it assumes a significant position in regard to the study of culture. Having said that, the question of what if it is not feasible for one to know the culture and yet study the culture. He may not be equipped with lingual talent to pick up a particular language. One school of thought may opine that it is not a considerable obstacle. There are many ways to find sources, materials, academic references and academicians to overcome the language barrier. On the top of it, translation and access to translated materials are always good options. So, knowledge of the language assumes secondary importance. This is an acceptable point of view. But, another school of thought may put forward this notion that can you really enjoy the translated stuff as you enjoy the material in its original language? As British novelist Virginia Woolf says that translation is a mingled train after the accident. This is where the knowledge of language adds flavor and joy to study the culture and its dynamics.

The third issue with the second hand sources to study culture is the individual perception. It is a fact that different people will have different opinions about a particular subject. Seeing a subject from different angles is always possible. And when it comes to cultural studies it is even valid. The definition of Culture is the characteristics of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. Let's look deeper at the definition. In it we can see group of people. This means culture very much has to do with the people. When it comes to people it signifies so many things and there are varieties in race, style of living, variation in the degree of patriotism, variation on perception of one's own culture, differences on interpretation of history and so and so forth. Now, an outsider who