Languages shape our reality. Learning a new language will help you learn how others think and give you a new way of seeing the world and thinking. This post explores how language learning helps us understand how others think.

Languages are the doorways to our minds. The language we use and how we use it profoundly shapes our perception of reality. This means that when we learn a new language, we’re not just acquiring vocabulary and grammar; we’re also learning to understand a new way of seeing the world and a new way of thinking.

This implies that language learning inevitably helps us understand how others think. This is a significant benefit often overlooked. This post will delve into how languages influence our understanding of others’ thoughts, actions, and behaviors. You might find some of these insights relatable, while others may challenge your own perspectives.

The Role Of Language In Shaping Thought

To understand how language influences how we understand others, let’s first examine how it shapes our own thinking.

Imagine a world without language. How would your thoughts manifest? Would they be a stream of images, urges, and formless concepts, impossible to articulate? While difficult to fully grasp, this likely reflects the pre-linguistic experiences of infants, though we’ll never know for sure.

This raises a crucial question: Does our language actually frame our experience of the world? Consider this: If your language only had one word for “water,” how would you differentiate between an ocean, a lake, and a pond?

The Yolŋu Aboriginal people of Australia offer a compelling example. Their language distinguishes between various bodies of water with unique terms, unlike English, which relies on broader terms like “ocean,” “lake,” and “pond.” For instance, the Yolŋu have specific words for water as shown in the table below:

Yolŋu Matha	English
binygirrigirriyirri	Freshwater
bur’	Water swirling around rocks
damurruŋ’	Salt brackish water
djarra	Rainwater
galimiŋdirrk	Bitter water
gapu	water
ganaŋathala	Small freshwater pool
girrkirr	White foam water
mamudjark	water
manhdhak	Freshwater
neny	Freshwater pool, non-permanent

Imagine encountering a water source while travelling through the Australian outback. You might simply say “water” or perhaps “water hole.” In contrast, the Yolŋu people possess a nuanced vocabulary for different bodies of water, allowing them to describe the specific type they encounter with greater precision that might then inform their understanding of how the area looks, what animals, activities or possibilities might exist as a result.

While this may seem like a subtle distinction, consider how our language shapes our perception of other aspects of the world. Imagine trying to describe a sunset to someone whose language lacks a word for “orange.” How would you convey the vibrant hues, particularly the subtle interplay of orange and violet? To take this analogy further, imagine explaining the colour blue to a blind person.

The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: Language And The Shaping Of Thought

The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis proposes a strong link between language and thought, suggesting that the structure of our language influences how we perceive and understand the world. In essence, it posits that “the muscular habits learned in overt speech are responsible for implicit or internal speech (thought).” This implies that our linguistic experiences shape our cognitive frameworks.

Numerous studies have explored this hypothesis. One notable example is Loftus and Palmer’s (1974) car crash experiment. Participants were shown a video and then asked, “How fast were the cars going when they ___________ each other?” The verb varied, with words like “hit,” “contacted,” and “smashed.” Interestingly, the verb used significantly influenced participants’ estimates of the cars’ speed, demonstrating how language can subtly influence our perception of events.

Another intriguing study by Kay and Kempton (1984) investigated color perception in English and Tarahumara speakers. English speakers have distinct words for “blue” and “green,” while the Tarahumara language uses a single term. In a color discrimination task, both groups performed similarly, suggesting that while language can influence perception, it may not be the sole determinant. Kay and Kempton argued that language influences thought when relevant to the task at hand but does not impose rigid constraints on our cognitive abilities.

Bringing it back to our original question: Does learning a new language help you learn how others think? This research suggests that by learning a new language, we gain access to different ways of conceptualizing the world. We encounter new vocabulary, grammatical structures, and cultural nuances that can challenge our existing cognitive frameworks and broaden our understanding of how others perceive and interpret reality. We can can somewhat swap between these different frameworks to get multiple perspectives and understandings of the world we live in.

For example, learning a language that emphasizes collective nouns over individual pronouns can shift our perspective on selfhood and social relationships. Similarly, learning a language with rich vocabulary for describing emotions can enhance our emotional vocabulary and deepen our understanding of the emotional experiences of others.

Information relating to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis can be found in the below reference as well as other scholarly articles.

Gerrig, Richard J., and Mahzarin R. Banaji. “Language and thought.” Thinking and problem solving. Academic Press, 1994. 233-261.

Language Learning: Building Cultural Nuances And Communication Styles

Language and culture are inextricably linked. Learning a new language without exploring the accompanying cultural nuances is akin to driving a car without understanding the road signs. This section will clarify the significance of cultural understanding in language learning and explore how cultural norms influence communication styles.

Cultures vary significantly in their communication styles, particularly in their preference for directness. Australians, for example, often favor indirect communication, preferring to “beat around the bush” rather than directly address sensitive topics. In contrast, German communication tends to be more direct and factual, even in casual conversation.

Examples:

• Indirect (English): “I think we might need to reconsider our approach.” (Instead of: “Your plan is flawed.”)
• Direct (German): “I believe your plan has some significant weaknesses.”

This preference for directness or indirectness is reflected in the language itself. German, for instance, often employs more assertive language and direct sentence structures, while English utilizes more passive constructions and hedges (e.g., “I think,” “perhaps,” “maybe”) to soften the impact of statements.

Furthermore, the level of explicitness in communication varies across cultures. In some cultures, communication relies heavily on implicit understanding and shared assumptions. For example, in many East Asian cultures, maintaining harmony and avoiding direct confrontation are highly valued. This can lead to communication that relies heavily on subtle cues, body language, and context, with much of the meaning conveyed implicitly.

Examples:

• Implicit (Japanese): A subtle change in tone of voice might convey disapproval without explicitly stating it.
• Explicit (American English): “I am not satisfied with your performance.”

Returning to our main question: Does learning a new language help you learn how others think? Absolutely! By immersing yourself in a new language, you inevitably encounter and navigate different communication styles. Understanding these cultural nuances is crucial for effective communication and building meaningful relationships with people from other cultures.

Language Learning Cognitive Benefits And Increase In Empathy

Beyond the cultural insights gained, language learning offers significant cognitive benefits.

As you embark on your language-learning journey, you’ll inevitably encounter challenges. You might forget words, struggle with grammar, or find yourself unable to express a specific idea. These challenges, however, can be incredibly valuable.

To overcome these obstacles, you’ll develop creative problem-solving skills. For example, if you forget the word for “gloves” in your target language, you might describe them as “hand warmers” or “hand protectors.” This requires you to think flexibly and find alternative ways to communicate your message.

Interestingly, you might find yourself employing these problem-solving strategies in your native language as well. Language learning can enhance your overall cognitive flexibility, making you more adept at finding creative solutions in various situations.

This cognitive agility extends beyond language learning. It can improve your ability to think critically, solve problems, and adapt to new situations in various aspects of your life.

You can learn more about some of the health benefits of learning a language as well as other social benefits here. In addition, there are other benefits to the cultural aspects of language learning that you can also read about. If you are simply looking to kick start your language learning journey, I recommend starting here.