Carlan grew up in a conservative culture with strict ideas about deference and hierarchy. When he was hired at his current company, he was uncomfortable with how casually even low$-$level employees communicated with the company's executives. Carlan had to work hard to reduce the formality of his communication style, but he did so to align with the company's values.

Which principle of verbal communication is Carlan attentive to here?

a$.)$

Language organizes and classifies reality.

b$.)$

Language is arbitrary and symbolic.

c$.)$

Language is abstract$.$

d$.)$

Language shapes our reality.