How language shapes the way we think | Lera Boroditsky | TED

Recent questions

• How does language influence thought?

  Language plays a crucial role in shaping human thought processes by allowing the transmission of complex ideas across vast distances and time periods. With approximately 7,000 languages spoken globally, each with distinct sounds, vocabularies, and structures, the debate on whether language influences thought has been ongoing for centuries. Recent scientific research has provided data to contribute to this debate, showing that different languages impact how individuals perceive time, count, keep track of quantities, and even think about colors, events, and gender associations. For example, the Kuuk Thaayorre people in Australia use cardinal directions instead of left and right in their language, leading to enhanced spatial awareness as individuals must constantly orient themselves spatially. Overall, language plays a significant role in shaping the way individuals think and perceive the world around them.

• How many languages are spoken globally?

  There are approximately 7,000 languages spoken globally, each with distinct sounds, vocabularies, and structures. This vast array of languages allows for diverse ways of expressing thoughts and ideas, shaping the way individuals perceive the world around them. The variety of languages spoken worldwide highlights the richness of human communication and the different cultural perspectives that influence thought processes.

• What impact do different languages have on perception of time?

  Different languages have varying impacts on how individuals perceive time. Some languages link time to the landscape rather than the body, influencing how individuals conceptualize and organize time. For example, languages that use spatial terms to describe time may lead speakers to think of time in a more spatial manner, affecting their perception of past, present, and future events. This demonstrates how language can shape not only communication but also cognitive processes related to time perception.

• How do languages without number words affect counting?

  Languages without specific number words can impact individuals' ability to count and keep track of quantities. The absence of distinct number words in a language can lead to challenges in numerical cognition and arithmetic skills. This highlights the importance of language in shaping cognitive processes related to numerical concepts and the ways in which individuals understand and manipulate quantities.

• In what ways do language structures influence thought?

  Language structures play a significant role in influencing how people think about colors, events, and even gender associations. Variations in language structures can shape cognitive processes related to categorization, perception, and social constructs. For example, languages that have grammatical gender can influence how individuals perceive and categorize objects based on gender associations embedded in the language. This demonstrates the profound impact that language structures can have on shaping thought processes and cultural perspectives.