Discovering the Magic of Language: How Our Words Craft Our Reality / TED talk

Summary of the TED talk "How language shapes the way we think" by Lera Boroditsky

The ability to communicate through language is a unique gift that humans possess. It enables us to share our thoughts and ideas with others, transmitting information and knowledge across vast distances and even across time. The power of language is evident in the way we are able to put strange new ideas in someone else’s mind simply by speaking or writing to them. The phenomenon is made possible by the way language works, as sounds created by our vocal cords travel through the air and are transformed into thoughts by the brain.

However, the question of whether language shapes the way we think has been a topic of debate for thousands of years. Some believe that the language we speak crafts our reality, while others believe that a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet. But recent research has shed new light on this age-old question. By examining the way different languages shape thought and perception, scientists have discovered some remarkable differences in the cognitive abilities of speakers of different languages. For example, some languages like Kuuk Thaayorre, spoken by an aboriginal community in Australia, do not use words like “left” and “right,” but instead describe everything in terms of cardinal directions. This has a profound impact on the way speakers of this language orient themselves in space, with some even staying oriented better than previously thought possible for humans. Similarly, different languages can also shape the way people think about time, as demonstrated by the differences in how English and Hebrew speakers lay out time.

The power of language to shape our thoughts and perceptions is a fascinating subject that continues to be explored by researchers. By understanding the ways in which different languages can influence our thoughts, we can gain new insights into the complexities of the human mind and the intricate relationship between language and thought. Whether language is a tool that shapes our reality, or simply a means of transmitting ideas, it remains one of the most magical and captivating aspects of the human experience.

About the speaker:

Lera Boroditsky is a cognitive scientist and professor in the fields of language and cognition. She is one of the main contributors to the theory of linguistic relativity. Her research is on the relationships between mind, world, and language (or in her own words - “how humans get so smart”).