Language and perception of the world are the two concepts that are deeply interrelated. Language is a mode of communication where people use words to describe things, ideas, and feelings. At the same time, perception is the ability to see, hear, or become aware of things through our senses.
Different cultures and languages around the world have developed distinct vocabularies to express various ideas and concepts. This diversity in language shapes our perception of the world. It affects the way we identify, differentiate, and name things.
For instance, the Eskimos have more than 50 words for snow, whereas a language like Spanish may have only a few. This difference demonstrates that the Eskimos have a greater attention and recognition of snow, making them more aware of the nature and the world than those who have limited vocabulary for snow in their language.
Similarly, some languages have specific words that describe untranslatable feelings or emotions. For example, ‘Saudade’ is a Portuguese word that expresses deep nostalgia and longing for someone or something that is lost. These kinds of untranslatable words tend to have a more profound impact on the use of language in communication style, making it closer to how people perceive the world.
The languages we speak also affect the way we categorize and conceptualize events, objects, and ideas. Studies have shown that native Chinese speakers, who use characters that are ideographic rather than alphabetic, tend to think of objects in a more holistic way than alphabet users who categorize objects based on their name.
In conclusion, our language shapes the way we see the world and how we perceive objects, events, and emotions. The diversity of language allows people to understand and experience the world in different ways. If you want to gain insight into other people’s worldviews, learning their language is one of the best ways to do so.
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