Linguistic Determinism

Whorf (1956: 212-4):

’. . . The structure of a language determines the way in which speakers of that language view the world.’ (Wardaugh 1998: 216)

’. . . The background linguistic system . . .  of each language . . . is itself the shaper of ideas, the program and guide for the individual’s mental activity, for his analysis of impressions, for his synthesis of his mental stock in trade. . . . We dissect nature along lines laid down by our native language. . .  The world is presented in a kaleidoscopic flux of impressions which has to be organized by our minds --and this means largely by the linguistic system in our mind’

 

"Empty gasoline drum" & "spun limestone" (Whorf 1956: 135-137)


Animal cries

 

Wardhaugh (1998:218):

‘. . . If speakers of one language have certain words to describe things and speakers of another language lack similar words, then speakers of the first language will find it easier to talk about those things. . . . Those who use the first language will more readily perceive the differences in their environment which such linguistic  distinction s draw attention to.’

  1. Many languages may differentiate different kinds of wind, cloud, snow without a general word referring to the category:

    2. Polish: grayish cloud (chmura) and white cloud (oblok)

    Nyawaygi (Australian): sun low in the sky in the morning and in the evening vs. Hot sun when overhead. Also no word for moon; instead, full moon and new moon

    (Cf. Korean: 달; 보름달, 초승달, 반달, 그믐달)
  2. Rice culture vs. Bread culture

  3. The romanization controversy: e.g. Pusan or Busan

  4. A cat’s crying: in Korean “(n)yaong”, in English ‘mew”

  5. Honorific language: Korean people need to ask about or figure out the other person's age.

 

Question:

Are there any universal concepts at all?