How language changes the way we think

What we see and how we process that information are influenced by our language. Each language's grammar and vocabulary teaches its speakers a particular way of viewing the world. The linguistic relativity hypothesis, also known as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, postulates that how one thinks about reality is influenced by the language they speak. How does that effect operate?

Culture and language coexist.

Not only is language a means of communication, but it also contributes to the distinctiveness and specificity of a culture. The old phrase "language is culture and culture is language" is frequently used when talking about language and culture because they are inextricably linked. This implies that your language is a reflection of your values and worldview.

Your speech is a reflection of your values and worldview.

According to anthropological linguist Daniel Everett, language can be seen as a cultural tool that relates a community's values and ideals and is shaped and modified over time by these residents. For instance, the numerous idioms that are used to describe family in Chinese culture demonstrate how highly regarded it is. Another makes use of the strange Korean word “눈치” "nunchi," which translates to "eye-measure" in English but cannot be translated. This phrase refers to the Korean idea that by comprehending what others are feeling and thinking, harmony, connection, and trust can be built.

You can see how society and language are interconnected from those examples (and perhaps some from your own culture as well). As a result of the social context in which each person was raised and educated having some influence on their linguistic ability, knowledge, and usage. So, if you're interested in learning a new language, get ready to enter a world that is different from your own!

Language alters how we perceive the world.

If you're familiar with the idea of linguistic relativity, it states that people's perspectives on the world are directly influenced by the language they employ to discuss it. Or, even more radical, people would only be able to understand aspects of the world that their language has words for.

The concept of color perception makes this easier to understand. Different languages have different numbers of words for the colors we can see. For instance, English speakers use the terms "dark blue" and "light blue" to describe various hues of blue. Blue can be classified as either siniy (dark blue) or goluboy by Russian speakers (light blue). The same is true for the colors dark red and light red, which we refer to as pink. As a result, it makes sense that people who speak two or more languages would focus on colors differently. This is because different languages make different distinctions between colors.

There are countless more instances of how language affects perception, such as when describing events and gender. However, the fundamental point remains the same: languages do not restrict our capacity for perceiving or thinking about the world; rather, they direct our attention and thought toward particular aspects of the world.

The effects on bilinguals

Given the subjects we've discussed, it's not surprising that multilingual individuals have various worldviews. Bilinguals (and even multilinguals) can have multiple points of view on a given topic because, as numerous studies have shown, learning a new language can change how the human mind puts information together. For example, this might make it simpler for decision-makers to negotiate and see both sides of an issue as well as different points of view.

Being bilingual has additional advantages, such as enhanced performance, enhanced memory, and increased confidence. That is why multinational corporations are trying to hire more bilingual people and give their staff the global language skills they will need both at work and when interacting with clients and customers, like those in the healthcare and finance industries.

Is your business following suit? Given how effective language is now, you might want to rethink your corporate training initiatives. To find out more about how to hasten language learning at your business, get in touch with us.

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