Poll: In your opinion, does the language we use affect our mindsets? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "In your opinion, does the language we use affect our mindsets?".
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Numerous new studies show that the languages we speak not only reflect or express our thoughts, but also shape the very thoughts we wish to express. What happens to those of us who speak several languages? Do we think differently when we switch from one language to another one?
| | | | | The language we use affects our mindset, Yes | Jul 9 |
Sure language we use can be effected on our mindset. Where Studies indicate that language influences how we think, interpret the world around us, and impacts our cognitive processes, perceptions, and even behaviors. Language is an integral part of culture, and each language carries unique concepts and ideas that shape the mindset of its speakers.
| | | | | Probably only to a limited extent or indirectly | Jul 9 |
I think other factors in life affect the way we think far more than the language we speak. In principle you can express any thought in any language, but culture and upbringing deeply affect the way people think.
Environment, culture and background form the language too: the local way of life as it has developed over the centuries - for farmers, herders of cattle, in deserts, forests or snow. Traders and craftsmen, city dwellers ... All have their basic rules for getting along, and s... See more I think other factors in life affect the way we think far more than the language we speak. In principle you can express any thought in any language, but culture and upbringing deeply affect the way people think.
Environment, culture and background form the language too: the local way of life as it has developed over the centuries - for farmers, herders of cattle, in deserts, forests or snow. Traders and craftsmen, city dwellers ... All have their basic rules for getting along, and specific rules for coping with what life offers.
Some lifestyles wil require strict group discipline and teamwork, while in others the loners and creative thinkers are encouraged. The cultural mindset affects the language, and I think it is that way round.
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Personally, I believe I think a lot of the time without language, and I suspect a lot of people do - artists, musicians and craftsmen in particular. At an office where I once worked, we had a theory that engineers were not good at languages - their minds work differently in any case! (Not entirely true - I know plenty of engineers who are also good at languages.)
I think in images of vegetables and flavours when I plan supper, or see a picture from a recipe (and my collection includes Swedish, German and Italian recipes as well as English and Danish, while the names on my spice jars are Indian - Jeera, Haldi, Dhaniya ... ). Other labels are Danish, German or English, depending where the product was bought.
I see the stitches when I think of knitting, not the written instructions for the pattern.
Words and language come when I think of communicating. I am not always so conscious of thinking without words, but I believe I think the same way in either language. I was not born bilingual, but I actually speak my acquired language more than my native language.
But that is just my own subjective opinion. ▲ Collapse
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Not only would the experts endorse this, (books could be written on this, and have been) I think many of us who have lived in two cultures have experienced it personally.
Haven't you ever felt something you could express in one language, but not in another?
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Just as any other audio/video/olfactory/tactile signal
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When changing language you change your cultural mindset, too. As a quick and dirty example I would say that I do swear much more in Italian than I do in German or French. Same goes with gestures, I gesticulate much more when talking Italian than any other of my languages
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Justin Peterson wrote:
Haven't you ever felt something you could express in one language, but not in another?
Isn’t that a rather problematic situation for a translator to be in?
As with the almost identical question last week, I don’t think people are answering the question asked. My answer, again, is no. My thoughts and my mindset, whatever that is, are the same.
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IrinaN
United States
Local time: 00:48
English to Russian
+ ...
| A bit too deep and philosophical for my simple mind | Jul 12 |
Nothing in my mindset as I understand it changes regardless of my location, and I have no idea how it can. I simply adjust my behavior to respect local customs and traditions and avoid any unpleasant situations, like attempting to tip in Japan . Is this the meaning of the question? Sometimes first-hand knowledge may change my perception and attitude towards certain things and issues to better or to worse but once obtained, it stays... See more Nothing in my mindset as I understand it changes regardless of my location, and I have no idea how it can. I simply adjust my behavior to respect local customs and traditions and avoid any unpleasant situations, like attempting to tip in Japan. Is this the meaning of the question? Sometimes first-hand knowledge may change my perception and attitude towards certain things and issues to better or to worse but once obtained, it stays after I go back.
My brain, though, has a life of its own. I have one, proven by MRI! I do not speak Brighton Russian (for those who know) but I've noticed that when I think, and I definitely think in words in my mind, it picks the most precise, concise, nuance-rich, or just simplest terms and expressions known to me in both languages so I definitely think in Runglish. I guess my brain is just as lazy as I am. Or quick? ▲ Collapse
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Agree with Wolfgang re. cursing, gesturing...
I think my demeanor, pitch and body gestures differ with my languages.
I hardly curse in my native language, but use quite a bit of . f***. Somehow acquired cursing doesnot seem to register so much in my brain as curse .
But curse in Spanish feels so much more satisfying. Mixture perhaos between the spanish "imagination" for cursing and how it registers in my mind?
Being Argentine, I do gesticulate ... See more Agree with Wolfgang re. cursing, gesturing...
I think my demeanor, pitch and body gestures differ with my languages.
I hardly curse in my native language, but use quite a bit of . f***. Somehow acquired cursing doesnot seem to register so much in my brain as curse .
But curse in Spanish feels so much more satisfying. Mixture perhaos between the spanish "imagination" for cursing and how it registers in my mind?
Being Argentine, I do gesticulate a lot. It is said that over 40% of the country's population has italian ancestry. But I naturally gesticulate less if speaking in English.
An interesting fact: I noticed that a very good US friend, fluent in various languages, changed his voice pitch when switching
to Spanish or Portuguese. He was not aware he did this. Even his manerism changed. To me he acted and sounded much more "alfa" 😁when speaking in English, Swedish or German. ▲ Collapse
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