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What is the linguistic relativity hypothesis?

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What is the linguistic relativity hypothesis?

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The hypothesis of linguistic relativity, part of relativism, also known as the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis /səˌpɪər ˈhwɔːrf/, the Whorf hypothesis, or Whorfianism is a principle claiming that the structure of a language affects its speakers' world view or cognition, and thus people's perceptions are relative to their spoken language.

The theory is named after Edward Sapir (1884-1939) and his student Benjamin Lee Whorf (1897-1941) who theorized this concept in the year of 1929. This section will cover the origin of the hypothesis, criticisms, and its historical background.

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Check out this informative TED Talk which gives supplemental information about an introduction to the linguistic relativity hypothesis!

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How Language Shapes the Way We Think | Lera Boroditsky | TED

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Edward Sapir was an American anthropologist and linguist who spent much time documenting and recording the culture of Native American tribes which were disappearing at alarming rates at the time. In order to understand these cultures for anthropological purposes, Sapir noticed the need to learn their language to develop an in-depth comprehension of their worldview.

In 1915, Sapir published an article “Abnormal Types of Speech in Nootka” in which he highlighted unique features of the Nootka language which differed from common speech patterns. Some of the linguistic differences he noted were as follows (Gryazin, 2023):

The Nootka people would state “[It] stones down” instead of “The stone falls” which highlights a relationship between an object and its action different to those of other languages

Nootka speakers would use stuttering as mean of mocking others which can create psychological negative connotations of the act of stuttering to those speakers

Hence, after these discoveries Sapir began to theorize how language can affect how one perceives the world around them.

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This section will:

Describe examples in societal interactions

Discuss use cases and necessary considerations

Raise awareness of linguistic relativity when designing products, systems, and solutions

Identify high-level strategies to mitigate the negative impacts from its oversight

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The importance of Linguistics Relativity 

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The importance of Linguistics Relativity 

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Canada being such a diverse country that is very enriched with cultures from all over the world is subject to being filled with people who speak different languages and are also taught to perceive the world in a certain manner. Linguistic categories such as the verbs, adjectives, syntax, and other parts of speech are affected by the language that they speak and this a very relevant part of linguistic relativity.

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The Role of Linguistic Relativity in Our Daily Lives

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The Role of Linguistic Relativity in Our Daily Lives

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Language as a whole is quite hard to truly decipher. However, it plays a huge role in our daily lives because well... it is needed to communicate with others of course! Linguistic Relativity also plays a key role in our everyday interactions with people. Here are a few ways that linguistic relativity comes into play:

How we understand speech

How we interpret different forms of mannerisms

How we view colours, objects, people, and even words

It shapes the way we "experience the world" (Silverman, 2001)

Our memory

These are just a few ways that linguistic relativity plays a role in the little things that we may not always notice. However, once we start speaking with people of diverse cultures, we may start to notice it more!

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Why Should YOU Care About Linguistic Relativity

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Why Should YOU Care About Linguistic Relativity

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Due to the given fact that language is so diverse and different in all places of the world, this can cause some issues when people may misinterpret or simply not understand what the other person is saying. The specific words or mannerisms used may cause another person to feel upset, mad, or confused even if that was not the intended purpose.

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Language is so powerful that a speaker’s utterance can have control on how the receiver feels even if that was not purposefully intended. Linguistic relativism holds true in many people's lives as it can have a pretty large impact on relationships of many types. This can mainly stem out of the different speaking and mannerism that exist in different people. In differences such as speaking styles and mannerisms, there can be many different issues such as racism, discrimination, and purposely being outcasted from groups, It is important to understand the value of language and why the role it plays is bigger than what we may think according to linguistic relativity.

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Some people may carry the belief that language and culture probably do not influence each other that much. After all, they are both very different things. However, when the topic of linguistic relativity arises, the contrast of both terms start to make a little more sense.

The way that we speak is influenced a lot with what the context of what we are talking about is. The way that we act around others is based on a range of different things, however a lot of this can be explained using linguistic relativity.

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there are different ways of describing your current mental state right now. Depending where you come from or even your culture, you might have come across to be more uptight and straightforward. Using language that indicates that you are doing fine. However, the way you actually expressed yourself was showing your vulnerable side.

It's these small cases where interpretation can vary greatly

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People that are new to a certain country may have a hard time in fully being able to adapt to a new environment of people. This may happen with people that even speak the same languages.

It is important to understand that everyone is different in terms of where they come from, how they were raised, and how they interpret language as a whole.

People that come from a different part of the world may have a different word used to describe any sort of thing. This can may them feel different emotions or feelings towards that specifically in comparison to the other speaker.

Though it may be difficult to view this perspective in a different lens, it offers an interesting "myriad of prepackaged meanings." (Goddard & Wierzberka, 2001)

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Goddard, C., and A. Wierzbicka. “Language and society: Cultural concerns.” International Encyclopedia of the Social &amp; Behavioral Sciences, 2001, pp. 8315–8320, https://doi.org/10.1016/b0-08-043076-7/04611-8.

Silverman, E.K. “Time, anthropology of.” International Encyclopedia of the Social &amp; Behavioral Sciences, 2001, pp. 15683–15686, https://doi.org/10.1016/b0-08-043076-7/00979-7.

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Image generated by GPT-4, March 25, 2024

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Examples & Use Cases of Linguistic Relativity in Society

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Examples & Use Cases of Linguistic Relativity in Society

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By analyzing the applications of linguistic relativity, the communication gaps between people from different linguistic backgrounds can be bridged, enhancing mutual understanding and reducing misinterpretation.

With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), new concerns are being raised regarding linguistic relativity, how models are designed, and how users interact with them

Linguistic relativity must be considered when developing new technologies that increase the accessibility to information and assist humans with communicating with each other.

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Image generated by GPT-4, March 25, 2024

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Example #1 of Linguistic Relativity in Society - Colour Perception

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Example #1 of Linguistic Relativity in Society - Colour Perception

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Colour perception involves linguistic variations across cultures

There are multiple colour words and categories between languages

Studies show that linguistic distinctions influence how well we recognize and recall colours

For example, in languages where blue and green are describes with the same word, speakers of these languages may remember these colours less distinctly (Lowry, 2015; Ozgen, 2004)

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Diagram designed and developed by Lakshya Khanna

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Example #2 of Linguistic Relativity in Society - Time Perception

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Example #2 of Linguistic Relativity in Society - Time Perception

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Perception of time also changes based on linguistic frameworks

In English, the passage of time is represented on a horizontal axis (e.g., “looking forward to the game tomorrow” or “let’s put the past behind us”)

In Mandarin, speakers describe time using a vertical axis, where up represents the future and down describes the past

These differences reflect a fundamentally different cognitive process in perceiving temporal events, which are components of many conversations (Song, 2022)

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Example #3 of Linguistic Relativity in Society - Inanimate Object Gender Assignment

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Example #3 of Linguistic Relativity in Society - Inanimate Object Gender Assignment

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Many languages like French, Spanish, and Hindi assign gender to inanimate objects (Boutonnet, 2012)

Native speakers may associate different qualities with the same object based on the linguistic structures of their language

This can change the meaning and perception of individuals when a particular word is used as an adjective or in figures of speech

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Image generated by GPT-4, March 25, 2024

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Advertising and marketing, language’s influence on cognition is critical

To form a deeper connection with consumers through advertisements, a thorough understanding of how language shapes thought is essential

Marketing messages should be crafted with linguistic variances in mind to develop emotional and cognitive ties

This can lead to more positive attitudes and behavioural intentions toward a brand or product

Not every component of marketing is dependent on language, but concepts like internal speech and complex planning are linguistically influenced and pivotal in advertising (Zlatev, 2015)

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Image generated by GPT-4, March 25, 2024

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Use Case #2 - Cross-Cultural Communication

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Use Case #2 - Cross-Cultural Communication

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By recognizing how language influences thought, collaboration and understanding, global diversity can be enhanced

Language shapes people’s perception of reality and their thought patterns

By being mindful of differences in language, communicators can:

Avoid misunderstandings

Develop connections with their counterparts across cultural divides

With amazing talent found around the world, this is especially important for international teams, diplomacy and global business strategies

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This concept is applicable to Natural Language Processing (NLPs), specifically how text or speech is generated and how users perceive the inputs provided

NLPs are Machine Learning models that generate text often using probability and the next-word prediction is based on the text that the model is trained on (Khurana, 2022)

To accurately generate text and speech, various concepts like linguistic structures, vocabularies, and cultural nuances should be infused into the model

The generated response can then align with the user’s linguistic context, enhancing comprehension

Leads to more intuitive, relatable, and effective communication in AI-generated content, making sure the content is not just linguistically correct but also culturally and contextually accurate

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Image generated by GPT-4, March 25, 2024

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Sentiment analysis involves interpreting and extracting emotions and sentiments from text and requires data processing, feature extraction and classification (Bordoloi, 2023)

During this process, the model must be considerate of linguistic context to effectively identify emotions expressed in different languages

A major consideration in sentiment analysis is accounting for linguistic variations like idioms, sarcasm, and cultural references

These can vary widely across languages!

Models must be trained on these differences to ensure they accurately capture the underlying sentiments

AI systems become more culturally aware by incorporating linguistic relativity into sentiment analysis which is critical for integrating these models into global markets

Understanding these differences can provide valuable insights for businesses, policymakers and researchers

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Image generated by GPT-4, March 25, 2024

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The concept can be applied to reduce bias in AI models

Text and speech generation models (like ChatGPT) can reflect human biases since much of the information used to train these models is from the past where racism and sexism were relatively more prevalent

This includes discrimination against particular cultures, their languages, and their way of thinking (Caliskan, 2021)

To address these biases, testing for these biases which is done by “Red Teams” at various AI research companies like Google and OpenAI

By tuning models to reduce their bias, fair and equitable AI systems that respect linguistics and cultural diversity can be designed

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Bordoloi, Monali, and Saroj Kumar Biswas. “Sentiment

analysis: A survey on design framework, applications and future scopes.” Artificial Intelligence Review, vol. 56, no. 11, 20 Mar. 2023, pp. 12505–12560, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10462-023-10442-2.

Boutonnet, Bastien, et al. “Unconscious effects of grammatical gender during object categorisation.” Brain Research, vol. 1479, 15 Oct. 2012, pp. 72–79, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2012.08.044.

Caliskan, Aylin. “Detecting and Mitigating Bias in Natural Language Processing.” Brookings, 9 Mar. 2022, www.brookings.edu/articles/detecting-and-mitigating-bias-in-natural-language-processing/.

Khurana, Diksha, et al. “Natural language processing: State of the art, current trends and challenges.” Multimedia Tools and Applications, vol. 82, no. 3, 14 July 2022, pp. 3713–3744, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-022-13428-4.

Lowry, Mark, and Judith Bryant. “Blue is in the eye of the beholder: A cross-linguistic study on color perception and memory.” Journal of Psycholinguistic Research, vol. 48, no. 1, 20 July 2018, pp. 163–179, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10936-018-9597-0.

Özgen, Emre. “Language, Learning, and Color Perception.” Current Directions in Psychological Science, vol. 13, no. 3, 2004, pp. 95–98. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20182921. Accessed 3 Apr. 2024.

Song, Gang, and Li Fan. “The principle of temporal sequence in the teaching of Chinese as a second language.” Higher Education Studies, vol. 12, no. 4, 19 Nov. 2022, p. 120, https://doi.org/10.5539/hes.v12n4p120.

Zlatev, Jordan, and Johan Blomberg. “Language may indeed influence thought.” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 6, 31 Oct. 2015, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01631.

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Intro: Embrace Linguistic Diversity in Everyday Life!

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Intro: Embrace Linguistic Diversity in Everyday Life!

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Our exploration into the fascinating realm of linguistic relativity, as championed by renowned linguist Benjamin Lee Whorf, reveals the profound influence of language on our thoughts, perceptions, and interactions with the world. As we delve deeper into this concept, let us seize the opportunity to promote inclusivity and understanding in our daily lives.

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"Language shapes the way we think, and determines what we can think about." (Whorf) So, let us celebrate linguistic diversity. Every day, pause for a moment to reflect on the diversity of languages spoken around you. Embracing linguistic diversity is a journey that enriches our environment, whether it's picking up a new phrase in a foreign language or delving into the cultural intricacies of your own language.

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Keep in mind that words have the power to reinforce prejudice and preconceptions. A statement made by anthropologist Ruth Benedict states, "The way people see the world is influenced by the concepts available in their language." (Benedict). Proactively seek deeper understanding by challenging preconceptions. A more accepting and equitable society for all members can be achieved by challenging preconceptions.

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Second, interact with people from different languages and cultural backgrounds to help build bridges across cultures. Language expert Edward Sapir made the astute observation that "The 'real world' is to a large extent unconsciously built upon the language habits of the group." (Sapir). To overcome cultural barriers and promote understanding, it is important to listen to others' stories, share your own, and be open to other points of view.

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The preservation of languages should be a top priority. Languages are more than simply a means of communication; they are an integral component of our cultural legacy. Languages, according to linguist Noam Chomsky, "are vast repositories of knowledge and culture." (Chomsky). Bless initiatives that work to keep endangered languages alive and to increase exposure to languages other than English in classrooms and Hollywood. It is through the preservation of languages that we can keep alive the distinct cultures and histories of people from all over the globe.

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Celebrate Your Ability to Speak More Than One Language

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Celebrate Your Ability to Speak More Than One Language

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If you're bilingual or multilingual, celebrate your gift for understanding and interacting with speakers of multiple languages. Get the word out and inspire people to pick up a second language. Speaking to a man in his language gets to his head, as Nelson Mandela famously put it (Mandela). Communicating with their tongue will truly touch people's hearts. We may open up new avenues for connection and understanding by embracing multilingualism.

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Join us on this adventure as we learn to harness the influence of language on our perspectives and relationships. By working together, we have the power to build a world that is more accepting and compassionate, where different languages are seen as assets that bring people closer together.

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Benedict, Ruth. Patterns of Culture. Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 19591934

Chomsky, N. (1968). Language and Mind. New York: Harper and Row. https://doi.org/10.1037/e400082009-004

Mandela Nelson et al. Nelson Mandela by Himself : The Authorised Book of Quotations. Pan Macmillan South Africa 2011.

Sapir, E. (1929 b). The Status of Lingusics as a science, Language, 5: 207-19.

Whorf, B.L. (1956). Language, Thought and Reality. Selected Writings. Ed.: J.B. Carroll. MIT, New York: J.Wilky/London: Chapinaon & Hall

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Benjamin Lee Whorf was a graduate student studying under Edward Sapir who expanded on these ideas.

His study focused upon the Hopi people, a tribe in Arizona and their lack of grammar to describe the concept of time. Whorf found specifically that the Hopi language did not have words for past, present, or future which completely alters their perception of the world in comparison to speakers of different languages (Grayzin, 2023). However, these speakers were able to navigate communication and life just fine without the use of these words which suggests an alternate comprehension of the world.

As such, the basis of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis was created as they believed the structure of languages influences the conceptualization of worldview.

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After the theorization of the concept of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis many criticism and flaws were argued and presented by linguists around the globe which influenced the development of study in the area.

Reductionist: Although specific words may not exist in a language, it does not imply the speaker cannot conceptualize such a concept (StudySmarter).

Causality: Many studies have attributed this hypothesis to the “chicken and egg” problem which considers the issue of which it is not possible to determine clearly the cause and effect. This applies to this hypothesis as we cannot prove that it is in fact language which determines thinking and not the other way around (StudySmarter).

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From these criticisms developed against the hypothesis, in the 20th century the principle was defined in two different variations: the strong and weak hypothesis.

Linguistic Determinism (Strong version): This hypothesis refers to what was originally theorized by Sapir and Whorf that language determines cognition. However, this has been abandoned by modern linguists due to the criticisms highlighted as well as the adoption of Noam Chomsky’s work in theorizing the existence of a  ‘universal grammar’ which states that there are not significant changes in the structure of languages (Nordquist, 2019).

Linguistic Relativity (Weak version): This variation refers to that language influences cognition and has become more commonly held by modern linguists due to the evidence of potential for language to exhibit some form of influence of one’s worldview (Nordquist, 2019).

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Take a moment to consider which version of the hypothesis you agree with or if you disagree with both. Why did you choose that certain option? Take a moment to reflect on the information you learned in this section!

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Which version of the hypothesis do you agree with?

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Gryazin, Ivan. “The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: Does Language Create Reality?” The Glossika Blog, The Glossika Blog, 18 May 2023, ai.glossika.com/blog/the-sapir-whorf-hypothesis-does-language-create-reality.

Nordquist, Richard. “What Is the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis?” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 3 July 2019, www.thoughtco.com/sapir-whorf-hypothesis-1691924.

“Sapir Whorf Hypothesis.” StudySmarter UK, www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/english/linguistic-terms/sapir-whorf-hypothesis/.

USA, Babbel. “Linguistic Relativity: Does Your Language Change How You See the World?” YouTube, YouTube, 30 Jan. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqM7Q_Y2M7E.