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Here’s an interesting look at the different ways language may shape the way we think, with some fascinating examples from different languages/cultures around the world:
Lera Boroditsky on how language shapes the way we think (TED talk)
potra United States Local time: 23:02 Member (2007) English to Italian + ...
Language shaping culture and thought
May 2, 2018
Interesting, now I'm thinking out loud: 'He broke the vase' vs 'the vase broke' could also explain why in Romance languages and cultures there is no corresponding term (and concept) for 'accountability' that is simply responsibility. So here is why in Romance languages (I know it is so for Italian) the concept of accountability remains vague, intangible and unspoken of. So citizens of romance languages cultures tend to have societies where the line between right and wrong, crime and punishment r... See more
Interesting, now I'm thinking out loud: 'He broke the vase' vs 'the vase broke' could also explain why in Romance languages and cultures there is no corresponding term (and concept) for 'accountability' that is simply responsibility. So here is why in Romance languages (I know it is so for Italian) the concept of accountability remains vague, intangible and unspoken of. So citizens of romance languages cultures tend to have societies where the line between right and wrong, crime and punishment remains very hazy. ▲ Collapse
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neilmac Spain Local time: 05:02 Spanish to English + ...
Same in Spanish
May 3, 2018
It's a great way to avoid responsibility without actually stooping to outright lying. We can also do the same in English, for example "it got lost" -> "I/we lost it" ...
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Comments about this article
United States
Local time: 23:02
Member (2007)
English to Italian
+ ...
Spain
Local time: 05:02
Spanish to English
+ ...
It's a great way to avoid responsibility without actually stooping to outright lying. We can also do the same in English, for example "it got lost" -> "I/we lost it" ...
Ghana
Local time: 03:02
Japanese to English
I thought the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis of linguistic relativity was long since discredited.
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