Linguistic relativity theory suggests that the languages we use influence how we think. Because languages have different structures and words to describe the world, people pay attention to different things when speaking them – from here stems the idea that language shapes thought.
the full story
Each language has its own sound and structure, and feels a certain way. Italian is musical, while German is harsher. And the same person fluent in both can seem like they have two distinct personalities. But can language really influence who we are?
linguistic relativity theory
Linguistic relativity theory suggests that the languages we pick up and use influence how we see the world – the perception of our surroundings, our sense of time, our memories, our behavior, and even our sense of self.
Perception of language
First, there’s our perception. Each language has different words to describe the things around us and these differences change the way we perceive these things. For example, an Italian might see objects as male or female, while an English speaker won’t —a phenomenon that extends to the perception of space.
The Kuuk Thaayorre, an aboriginal tribe, does not use left or right in their language. Instead, they rely on cardinal directions: North, East, South, and West. They might say “Pass me the salt on the South-west of the pepper”. It’s probably no coincidence that they have supernatural navigational skills.
Perception of time
There is the sense of time. Because languages are written in different directions, people who write left to right will perceive the sequence of events accordingly. Speakers of Arabic and Hebrew might do so the other way around.
In the Amele language in Papua New Guinea, there are 3 forms of past tense: Today’s past tense, yesterday’s, and remote past tense. To use the correct verb, speakers need to pay close attention to when something has happened — and hence may perceive the past in greater detail.
effect on memory
Language also affects our memories. In English, if a child breaks a vase accidentally, we may say “he broke the vase” — putting the responsibility on the kid. In Spanish people would say “El jarrón se rompió” or “The vase broke” — giving more credit to the environment — a small difference with big consequences.
Studies show that speakers of languages like Spanish that tend to consider these kinds of events accidental are less likely to recall the people involved. In languages that emphasize an intention, the actors are remembered more clearly. And if things end up in court the accused is more likely to be found guilty, if the language used during the trial is active, like English.
cultural echoes
Then there is our behavior. Languages are often associated with culture, and with the context in which it was learned. As a result, those who speak various languages, access different parts of themselves.
One study on Spanish-English bilinguals showed that people exhibit different personality traits when switching their language. When speaking English, subjects were more agreeable, but when they switched to Spanish they were more neurotic.
self-reflection
And finally, our sense of self. The words we speak also influence how we feel about ourselves. Self-affirming language for example activates brain areas linked to reward and self-perception and can increase our confidence — an effect that extends to how we perceive pain.
Bilinguals report greater levels of pain when they speak the language to which they relate the most. The theory: if one language represents a bigger part of their identity, they also perceive the sensations inside their body with greater intensity.
linguistic relativism
With about 7000 languages all around us, nobody knows exactly how they affect our minds. But they certainly frame our thoughts and influence the way we look at the world.
In Thai for example, the word for heart, ‘jai’, is woven into their language to describe a variety of human traits. Someone friendly is “jai dee”, literally a good heart. Someone that’s patient is “jai yen” a “cool heart ” and someone generous, is “jai gwang” a “big heart”.
benjamin lee whorf
As Benjamin Lee Whorf, the linguist behind the theory wrote: “Language is not merely a reproducing instrument for voicing ideas but rather is itself the shaper of ideas, the program and guide for the individual’s mental activity.”
So, if you ever learn a new language, remember: you’re not just learning new words. You’re opening your mind to a new way of seeing and interacting with the world.
what do you think?
What do you think? Do you speak more than one language? And if so, do you feel like your behavior changes when you switch between them? Tell us your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Sources
- Linguistic relativity – Wikipedia.org
- Benjamin Lee Whorf – Wikipedia.org
- Cascio, C. N., O’Donnell, M. B., Tinney, F. J., Lieberman, M. D., Taylor, S. E., Stretcher, V. J., & Falk, E. B. (2016) Self-affirmation activates brain systems associated with self-related processing and reward and is reinforced by future orientation. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience, 11(4), 621-629.
- Gross, M. C., González, A. C. L., Girardin, M. G., Almeida, A. M. (2022) Code-Switching by Spanish-English bilingual children in a code-switching conversation sample: roles of language proficiency, interlocutor behavior, and parent-reported code-switching experience. Languages 7, no. 4: 246
- Bonilla, N. (2019) Perception of the world through language: Do Spanish and English speakers perceive the world differently? A review of the literature on the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. Universidad ICESI
Dig deeper!
- Watch this conference of Lera Boroditsky, an expert in language and cognition
- Learn more about the effect of language on blame
- Read about cultural identity and language
- Read about how language affects behavior
Classroom activity
In this exercise, students will learn about Linguistic Relativity.
- Ask the students if any of them speaks more than one language, and if they do, do they feel differently when they speak their second language?
- Ask them to give three examples of how language can affect the way they behave or perceive the world.
- Show the class Sprouts’ video on Language and Behavior.
- Ask the class to come up with ten examples on how their language can affect their behavior, and why.
- Ask the students how the fast evolution of language in the digital world may affect their behavior and future.
Collaborators
- Script: Ludovico Saint Amour di Chanaz and Jonas Koblin
- Artist: Pascal Gaggelli
- Voice: Matt Abbott
- Coloring: Nalin
- Editing: Peera Lertsukittipongsa
- Production: Selina Bador
- Sound Design: Miguel Ojeda
