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It is thought by someone that understanding culture is impossible unless you learn related language. In my opinion, it is particularly true, since language is a concomitant of culture, which is have been builded by words and notations of innumerable amount of people in whole history. There are also exist ways to at least have a surface knowledge of culture such as travelling.

The first considerable reason is that culture is a consequence of communication of people, who have the same traditions , birthplace and mainly language. For instance, books, films and songs. They are also a part of culture and they have been written or recorded in related language. There would be opportunities to consume information in original language, which is the best way to investigate the culture. It is obvious that if you don't know the language, you won't get access to original products. Furthermore, if you know the language, you will be able to talk with native speakers, which are the infinite sources of culture.

On the other hand, travelling is the way to explore the features of culture without speaking with someone or listening somebody. It is enough just to watch the historical monuments, trying to present there and feel what happened there over the last decades, centuries or maybe thousands of years. Walking around the places like these, gives you a whole pack of different emotions , which you will never forget. In addition, you are creating your own background and connecting your life with places, where you have been.

In conclusion, its not necessary to know language, but to gain a 100% effect, you should learn it, since the best what we have are people, which living among the all history.