Linguistic Relativity: How Language Shapes Thought

00:06:34
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7yyYdiNTIo

摘要

TLDRThe video explores linguistic relativity, the idea that the languages we speak shape our perception of the world, time, memories, behavior, and self-identity. It highlights how different languages influence our understanding of space, time, and responsibility, using examples from various cultures. For instance, the Kuuk Thaayorre tribe uses cardinal directions instead of left and right, affecting their navigation skills. The video also discusses how bilingual individuals may show different personality traits based on the language they use. Additionally, it introduces Wiseone, a browser extension designed to enhance online reading and learning.

心得

  • 🌍 Language shapes our perception of the world.
  • 🕰️ Different languages influence our sense of time.
  • 🧠 Language affects how we remember events.
  • 👥 Bilinguals may exhibit different personalities.
  • 💬 Language can impact our self-identity.
  • 🧭 Some cultures use cardinal directions for navigation.
  • 📚 Learning a new language opens new perspectives.
  • 🔍 Wiseone helps enhance online learning.
  • 🗣️ Language influences how we express responsibility.
  • 💡 Language is a tool for shaping ideas.

时间轴

  • 00:00:00 - 00:06:34

    The linguistic relativity theory posits that the languages we use shape our perception of the world, influencing our surroundings, time, memories, behavior, and sense of self. Different languages have unique words that alter our perception; for instance, Italian assigns gender to objects, while the Kuuk Thaayorre tribe uses cardinal directions instead of left or right, enhancing their navigational skills. Language also affects our perception of time, as seen in the Amele language, which has distinct past tenses, leading speakers to pay closer attention to temporal details. Furthermore, language impacts memory; English speakers may attribute blame for accidents differently than Spanish speakers, affecting recall of events and individuals involved. Behavior is influenced by language as well, with bilinguals displaying different personality traits depending on the language spoken. Lastly, our sense of self is shaped by language, with self-affirming language boosting confidence and altering pain perception. Overall, learning a new language expands our worldview and interactions.

思维导图

视频问答

  • What is linguistic relativity?

    Linguistic relativity is the theory that the languages we speak influence our perception of the world.

  • How does language affect perception?

    Different languages have unique words and structures that can change how we perceive objects and concepts.

  • Can language influence memory?

    Yes, the way events are described in different languages can affect how people remember those events.

  • Does speaking multiple languages change behavior?

    Yes, bilingual individuals may exhibit different personality traits depending on the language they are speaking.

  • How does language relate to self-identity?

    The language we use can influence our self-perception and how we feel about ourselves.

  • What is an example of language affecting time perception?

    Languages that have different tenses can lead speakers to perceive the past in varying levels of detail.

  • What is Wiseone?

    Wiseone is a browser extension that helps users read and explore information online more effectively.

  • How can I install Wiseone?

    Visit wiseone.io, click the 'Add on Chrome' button, and install the extension.

  • What features does Wiseone offer?

    Wiseone offers features like Focus, Cross-check, Ask Anything, Summarize, and Explore to enhance learning.

  • Is Wiseone free?

    Yes, Wiseone is free and available in different languages.

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  • 00:00:00
    Linguistic relativity theory suggests that the languages we pick up and use influence
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    how we see the world - the perception of our surroundings, our sense of time, our memories,
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    our behavior, and even our sense of self.
  • 00:00:16
    First, there’s our perception.
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    Each language has different words to describe the things around us and these differences
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    change the way we perceive these things.
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    For example, an Italian might see objects as male or female, while an English speaker
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    won’t —a phenomenon that extends to the perception of space.
  • 00:00:37
    The Kuuk Thaayorre, an aboriginal tribe, does not use left or right in their language.
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    Instead, they rely on cardinal directions: North, East, South, and West.
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    They might say “Pass me the salt on the South-west of the pepper”.
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    It's probably no coincidence that they have supernatural navigational skills.
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    There is the sense of time.
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    Because languages are written in different directions, people who write left to right
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    will perceive the sequence of events accordingly.
  • 00:01:09
    Speakers of Arabic and Hebrew might do so the other way around.
  • 00:01:15
    In the Amele language in Papua New Guinea, there are 3 forms of past tense: Today’s
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    past tense, yesterday’s, and remote past tense.
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    To use the correct verb, speakers need to pay close attention to when something has
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    happened — and hence may perceive the past in greater detail.
  • 00:01:35
    Language also affects our Memories.
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    In English, if a child breaks a vase accidentally, we may say “he broke the vase” — putting
  • 00:01:44
    the responsibility on the kid.
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    In Spanish people would say “El jarrón se rompió” or “The vase broke” — giving
  • 00:01:51
    more credit to the environment — a small difference with big consequences.
  • 00:01:58
    Studies show that speakers of languages like Spanish that tend to consider these kinds
  • 00:02:02
    of events accidental are less likely to recall the people involved.
  • 00:02:07
    In languages that emphasize an intention, the actors are remembered more clearly.
  • 00:02:12
    And if things end up in court the accused is more likely to be found guilty, if the
  • 00:02:17
    language used during the trial is active, like English.
  • 00:02:23
    Then there is our behavior.
  • 00:02:25
    Languages are often associated with culture, and with the context in which it was learned.
  • 00:02:30
    As a result, those who speak various languages, access different parts of themselves.
  • 00:02:38
    One study on Spanish-English bilinguals showed that people exhibit different personality
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    traits when switching their language.
  • 00:02:45
    When speaking English, subjects were more agreeable, but when they switched to Spanish
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    they were more neurotic.
  • 00:02:53
    And finally, our sense of self.
  • 00:02:56
    The words we speak also influence how we feel about ourselves.
  • 00:03:00
    Self-affirming language for example activates brain areas linked to reward and self-perception
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    and can increase our confidence — an effect that extends to how we perceive pain.
  • 00:03:13
    Bilinguals report greater levels of pain when they speak the language to which they relate
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    the most.
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    The theory: if one language represents a bigger part of their identity, they also perceive
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    the sensations inside their body with greater intensity.
  • 00:03:30
    With about 7000 languages all around us, nobody knows exactly how they affect our minds.
  • 00:03:37
    But they certainly frame our thoughts and influence the way we look at the world.
  • 00:03:43
    In Thai for example, the word for heart, 'jai', is woven into their language to describe a
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    variety of human traits.
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    Someone friendly is “jai dee”, literally a good heart.
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    Someone that’s patient is “jai yen” a "cool heart " and someone generous, is “jai
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    gwang” a "big heart”.
  • 00:04:05
    As Benjamin Lee Whorf, the linguist behind the theory wrote: "Language is not merely
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    a reproducing instrument for voicing ideas but rather is itself the shaper of ideas,
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    the program and guide for the individual's mental activity."
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    So, if you ever learn a new language, remember: you're not just learning new words.
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    You're opening your mind to a new way of seeing and interacting with the world.
  • 00:04:34
    What do you think?
  • 00:04:35
    Do you speak more than one language?
  • 00:04:38
    And if so, do you feel like your behavior changes when you switch between them?
  • 00:04:42
    Tell us your thoughts and experiences
  • 00:04:45
    in the comments below!
  • 00:04:54
    This video was brought to you by wiseone.io Wiseone is an all-in-one browser extension
  • 00:05:00
    that offers a new way of reading  and exploring information online.
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    It consists of 5 useful features: Focus helps you understand
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    complex concepts and words. Cross-check helps you access
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    factual and reliable sources reporting on  the same subject to get diverse perspectives.
  • 00:05:20
    Ask Anything simplifies complex information into  understandable and sourced answers from the web.
  • 00:05:26
    Summarize helps you read more efficiently  without losing information by providing
  • 00:05:31
    key takeaways to remember. And Explore provides articles
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    and videos from diverse sources to  deepen your understanding of a topic.
  • 00:05:40
    WiseOne is free and available in different  languages and also works on PDFs!
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    All of this makes Wiseone an  excellent tool for learning
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    new things, developing your critical  thinking, and getting answers to your
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    most complex questions. To install  Wiseone, visit https://wiseone.io/,
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    click the "Add on Chrome" button, and install  the extension. That's it! Try it now! Wiseone.io
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  • 00:06:25
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标签
  • linguistic relativity
  • perception
  • memory
  • behavior
  • self-identity
  • bilingualism
  • language influence
  • Wiseone
  • cultural differences
  • language and thought