Lecture 9: Verbal Intercultural Communication (2)

Sapir-Worf Hypothesis (linguistic determinism)

Language determines the way in which people think

• Language = a prison; once people learn it, they are affected by its particulars;
• Effective and successful translation between two languages is never possible;
• So: competent intercultural communication is an elusive goal.

Light version:

• Language shapes people and the way they think

Sapir-Worf's main focus was on variations in vocabulary and grammar:

• Variations in vocabulary
  e.g. classical Arabic has 1000s of words for camel;
  e.g. colours: Kamayura (Brazil) have one word for blue and green (parakeet coloured); Dani (West New Guinea) have only two words for colours (dark and light);
  e.g. Some languages have one word to refer to grandparents, others (like Swedish) have four different words
• Variations in grammar
  e.g. cultural conceptions of time: English (specific point on a linear plane divided into past, present, and future) vs. Hopi (time is an ongoing process, present will never actually arrive, but will always be approaching).
  e.g. respect: English (you) vs. Dutch (informal jij and formal u)
  e.g. pronouns: I (with capital!) vs. Vietnamese (12 words for I), Chinese (10), Japanese (over 100!)

Conclusions:

• Language definitely shapes and influences our thoughts and behaviour, perhaps more than we are aware of...;
• Knowing more than one language = broadening your personal view on the world;
• Of course, there is always non-verbal communication as well...