This hearkens back to the (partially discredited, but still useful) Sapir-Whorf hypothesis regarding language and thought. Indeed, this relates more directly to my (proposed doctoral) research into language and categorization - not only how language affects thought but how native vs non-native speakers think *differently*.
My original inspiration for that was from watching Dick Cavett interview Gore Vidal. Vidal lived in Italy at the time and spoke several languages; Cavett asked which language was his favorite. Vidal responded with English, and was asked why. He said that English was the only language which has a word for "wit". Others may come close; French seems to have something which represents "a black, sardonic humor" but nothing except English (according to him) properly captured the concept.
As I understand it, there are two phases - one where the language develops based upon the concepts important to the speakers, and the second where the fully developed (and slowly evolving) language limits the thoughts of the speakers.
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Date: 2010-06-22 05:40 pm (UTC)My original inspiration for that was from watching Dick Cavett interview Gore Vidal. Vidal lived in Italy at the time and spoke several languages; Cavett asked which language was his favorite. Vidal responded with English, and was asked why. He said that English was the only language which has a word for "wit". Others may come close; French seems to have something which represents "a black, sardonic humor" but nothing except English (according to him) properly captured the concept.
As I understand it, there are two phases - one where the language develops based upon the concepts important to the speakers, and the second where the fully developed (and slowly evolving) language limits the thoughts of the speakers.