Re: Re : Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

"From Http://Members.Aol.Com/Lassailly/Tunuframe.Html" wrote:
> i agree with you 100%.
> i think a different cultural background makes you think different,
> but a different language doesn't.
Doesn't make you *think* different.  Language allows one to think
abstractly.  In that, I'm reminded of an analogy I read once, but it was
originally in a religious book, speaking of culture's effect on how you
view the Bible.

Anyhoo, this author said that he has a very strong prescription for his
eyeglasses.  Without glasses, he can hardly see at all, but they distort
his peripheral vision.  In the same way, without language, you cannot
think abstractly, but language can distort the way you view certain
things, thus *indirectly* affecting your worldview.  In addition,
language can help shape culture by making it more difficult to discuss
some concepts, and easier to discuss others.  If a language lacked words
for concepts like "freedom", it would be difficult to discuss them.

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