Some people disagree with Boroditsky’s & Wierzbicka’s argument (also known as linguistic relativity, or Sapir-Whorf hypothesis). They argue that languages are supposed to represent the objective world, and even if there are different linguistic expressions to describe different ideas, the meanings of these ideas are the same. Others argue that whereas language does influence cognition (“weak” version of linguistic relativity), it does not determine it (deterministic language is a part of the “strong” version of linguistic relativity). What do you think about these arguments? How deep do you think the language-mentality connection run? Provide at least one example to support your opinion.
2. What do you think is the relationship between the expression (behavior) and the experience (feeling) of emotion? People across cultures clearly vary in how they express their emotions. Does it mean that they have different emotional experiences? Explain your answer.
The Language-Cognition Connection: The debate surrounding the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, or linguistic relativity, revolves around the extent to which language influences cognition. While some argue that languages merely represent the objective world and that meanings are consistent across languages, others contend that language shapes thought processes to varying degrees. I believe that the language-mentality connection is more nuanced than a clear-cut binary. The influence of language on cognition exists, but it may not be as deterministic as the “strong” version of linguistic relativity suggests.
Languages do shape cognition to some extent, as the words and structures available in a language can influence how individuals perceive and categorize the world. However, the “weak” version of linguistic relativity seems more plausible, suggesting that while language affects thought, it does not rigidly determine it. For example, while languages may have different terms for colors, the basic perceptual experiences of color likely remain universal among humans. The way we name and conceptualize colors may vary, but the underlying experience of color perception is shared across cultures.
The Expression-Experience Relationship of Emotion: The relationship between the expression and experience of emotions is intricate and multifaceted. While people across cultures exhibit variations in how they express emotions, it does not necessarily imply that their emotional experiences are fundamentally different. Instead, cultural norms, social contexts, and individual personality shape how emotions are outwardly displayed.
Emotional experiences, at their core, are rooted in physiological and neurological processes that are likely universal among humans. Regardless of cultural differences in expression, the fundamental emotions of happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and so on are likely to be experienced similarly across cultures. The divergence in expression is largely attributed to cultural norms dictating which emotions are acceptable to display and how they should be displayed.
For instance, consider the emotion of sadness. While some cultures encourage outward displays of sadness, others may promote emotional restraint. This cultural variation in expression does not necessarily mean that individuals from different cultures experience sadness differently. Rather, it reflects the impact of cultural norms on how emotions are exhibited.
In conclusion, the relationship between language and cognition as well as the expression and experience of emotions is complex and intertwined. While language does influence cognition, it may not have an all-encompassing deterministic effect. Similarly, emotional experiences likely share common physiological and neurological underpinnings across cultures, even though cultural norms shape how emotions are expressed outwardly. Understanding these relationships can help us appreciate the intricate interplay between language, cognition, and emotion in shaping our perceptions and experiences.
Boroditsky, L., & Wierzbicka, A. (2018). Linguistic and cultural relativity: Is there an empirical link? Annual Review of Linguistics, 4, 329-349.
Lindquist, K. A., & Barrett, L. F. (2012). A functional architecture of the human brain: Emerging insights from the science of emotion. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 16(11), 533-540.
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