how language shapes the way we think
“Does Language Shape What We Think?” by Joshua Hartshome
Is it possible to imagine an object(s) without thinking about its name or quantity? Can the human mind picture a certain motion or objective without having to use or remember the language it learned from? In Joshua Hartshome’s article, “Does Language Shape What We Think?”, it expresses a skeptical question about how important a language can dominate the way people imagine certain ideas.
This groundbreaking question influenced an experiment that was held in the Amazon regions of South America. With the help of his colleagues, MIT cognitive neuroscientist, Michael Frank researched the Piraha language. It was a test to see how the Piraha culture uses quantities in communication, even though their language does not have words to resemble numbers. Once the tribe was asked to sort certain amounts of objects, they did not use terms for an exact amount of something. The Piraha used words such as “hoi” and “baagiso” to determine if there was a large or small quantity. The tribe’s inability to express a word for an exact number was also shown in another activity. They were required to match a certain number of balloons with an amount of thread that was shown. The only way the Piraha could do so was to physically place the balloons in line next to the thread. Frank’s experiments proved that it is either difficult or impossible for someone to remember a large number without thinking of its name. In the situation with the Piraha, they did not have a choice with memory since there are not any words to express numbers in their language.
As it is seen from Michael Frank’s experiments, in specific situations, language is important when it comes to remembering numbers or priorities. Joshua Hartshome’s article, “Does Language Shape What We Think?” portrays the idea in which language can affect the human mind enough to change the way it can image large quantities and necessities.
Is it possible to imagine an object(s) without thinking about its name or quantity? Can the human mind picture a certain motion or objective without having to use or remember the language it learned from? In Joshua Hartshome’s article, “Does Language Shape What We Think?”, it expresses a skeptical question about how important a language can dominate the way people imagine certain ideas.
This groundbreaking question influenced an experiment that was held in the Amazon regions of South America. With the help of his colleagues, MIT cognitive neuroscientist, Michael Frank researched the Piraha language. It was a test to see how the Piraha culture uses quantities in communication, even though their language does not have words to resemble numbers. Once the tribe was asked to sort certain amounts of objects, they did not use terms for an exact amount of something. The Piraha used words such as “hoi” and “baagiso” to determine if there was a large or small quantity. The tribe’s inability to express a word for an exact number was also shown in another activity. They were required to match a certain number of balloons with an amount of thread that was shown. The only way the Piraha could do so was to physically place the balloons in line next to the thread. Frank’s experiments proved that it is either difficult or impossible for someone to remember a large number without thinking of its name. In the situation with the Piraha, they did not have a choice with memory since there are not any words to express numbers in their language.
As it is seen from Michael Frank’s experiments, in specific situations, language is important when it comes to remembering numbers or priorities. Joshua Hartshome’s article, “Does Language Shape What We Think?” portrays the idea in which language can affect the human mind enough to change the way it can image large quantities and necessities.