Linguistics has for a long time disagreed that words and grammar can lead to different perceptions amongst people. However, it remains a significant challenge to determine the impact of language on perceiving reality. Notably, cross-linguistic distinctions can affect people’s remembrance and understanding of the causal events. In one of the Stanford studies, it was established that Japanese and Spanish speakers could not comprehend the person to blame for accidental circumstances like the ones who are fluent in the English language (Urban, 2014). People speaking these three languages can memorize the agents for intentional events the same way. In this research, individuals were presented with a memory test immediately after looking into clips of people breaking balloons and eggs and spilling fluids accidentally and intentionally. Studies show that understanding a new language alters a person’s brain and how it collects information. As a result, a person may have a different perception of various issues. For this reason, Rakuten company made it compulsory to have the English language spoken by every employee.
Other subtle elements are challenging to understand based on their effects on human being’s thoughts. For example, individuals speaking English affirm that time can be saved and counted or get lost. This could be different from a different culture that views the next day as the same as the current one. Communications and talking determine the perception of reality (Urban, 2014). For example, an English speaker confirms a point with much ease than a Chinese one. When an English speaker invites a person for dinner, they give a reason. The Chinese speaker will begin with background information first.
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In summary, there is a high belief that language shapes the perception of reality significantly. However, does learning a language shape people’s thinking or perception of reality? Probably not. Somewhat, the sharp differences between the languages could change how a person looks into a different culture.
Reference
Urban, W. M. (2014). Language and reality: The philosophy of language and the principles of symbolism (Vol. 69). Routledge.
