“Language and Thought”
TED Talk by Lera Boroditsky
General notes
Through language we think things. Some languages have different sounds, vocab, and structures. Until
recently there hasn’t been data to prove that language controls how we think. Different languages
have different words for directions. With the example she gave they used cardinal directions instead
of left and right. Different languages also have numbers differently. Some languages don’t have
numbers or names for numbers. So it makes it harder for them to be able to quantify things. Some
languages also have masculine and feminine object like in spanish a bridge would be feminine because
when you describe it, you would use stereotypical feminine words. Language also dictates how we
describe events. What’s good about linguistic diversity is it shows how complex the human mind can
be. We have been able to create 7,000 different languages. The understanding we have of the human
mind is narrow when there’s so much more.
Reflection Questions
1. Why do I think the way that I do?
One of the reasons I think the way I do is because of religion. It somewhat dictates how we
think, speak and express our emotions. Like the speaker said, languages can describe events
differently. Also how we quantify things is due to language.
2. How could I think differently?
One way to think differently could be to learn a new language that is very different from the
one that you normally speak. I think there are also other ways is to just attain more
knowledge because that increases our brain power.
3. What thoughts do I wish to create?
I wish to create positive thoughts. I also want to create clear concise thoughts so I can be able
to convey my message effectively.
“Lost in Translation”
by Lera Boroditsky
General Notes: Compare and contrast with texts and ideas explored
If you take the example of humpty dumpty, this shows how much language can differ from one
another. In English we have to change the verb to match the tense. Do people who speak different
languages remember their experiences differently? This is a question many people have and ther has
not been much recent empirical work on this. New cognitive science shows that language does
influence how we see the world. After a lot of work, there hasn’t been a single proposed linguistics
universal. In the past many scientists have begun to measure not just how people talk but also how
we think. Whether our understanding of fundamental things are constructed by a language. About a
third of languages rely on absolute direction. Because of this speakers who speak that type of
language are extremely oriented. Even in unfamiliar landscapes they perform navigational feats.
People rely on their spatial knowledge to build many more complex or abstract representations. In
addition to space and time, languages also shape how we understand the causality. There are also
different ways to describe events. In English people tend to say that someone broke the vase. While
other languages like spanish to japanese, they would tend to day the vase broke itself. Language is
uniquely a human gift. Human nature can also differ greatly.
Statement about language and thought in regard to politics, power, and
justice
Language is a complex system in which we carefully assemble words together to express ourselves
clear and concisely. In each of these situations of politics, power, and justice using concise and clear
words are very crucial. With the many sensitive topics included in politics, justice, and power, using
words to express ourselves have to be done carefully. Like in the George Orwell Essay, it states the
meanings of many overused words have been lost completely.
