Wild Geese 36. how language shapes the way we think
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Sep 30, 2025 Explore how language shapes our perception of reality and influences our emotions. Discover the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis and the impact of English metaphors on our thinking. Delve into the unique Irish perspective on emotions and the etymology of 'culture' as caretaking. Learn about the fragmentation of language on the internet and the dangers of dog whistles. Uncover the Potawatomi grammar of animacy that sees all things as alive, and how reconnecting with embodied language can foster a deeper sense of belonging.
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Language Framing Shapes Self Identity
- Anna notices English often frames emotions as fixed identities rather than transient states.
- This observation sparked curiosity about how language shapes self-perception and worldview.
Language Transfer Reveal Between Experiment And Experience
- Anna describes using Language Transfer to learn Spanish and noticing cross-linguistic connections between experiment and experience.
- She finds that shared roots can shift how you interpret actions and states in another language.
Metaphors Steer Thought Patterns
- Many English metaphors map abstract concepts onto war, money, and verticality, shaping thought unconsciously.
- Embedded metaphors like "argument is war" influence how we perceive social interactions and values.
