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Lera Boroditsky: How Language Shapes Thought

Long Now

CHAPTER

The Importance of Gesturing in English

When giving directions in Pompa Rao, instead of using left and right, they also don't use north, south, east and west. They point to the correct direction - even though it might be 2,000 miles away. So do you think this use of gesture is kind of an interim strategy? And what do you think their children would do? Do you think that they would maybe adopt the English system altogether? Or do you see that as a stage of language and cultural shift? or do you think that those hang on for a while?

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