203 | N.J. Enfield on Why Language is Good for Lawyers and Not Scientists
Jul 11, 2022
01:24:11
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Quick takeaways
Language shapes perception; limitations lead to simplifications & omissions.
Origin & evolution of language influenced by cognitive, biological, cultural factors.
Language influences reasoning, bias, memory, and social coordination for mutual benefit.
Deep dives
Language and Perception: The Influence of Language on our Understanding
Language shapes the way we perceive and understand the world. While the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis may be exaggerated, there is truth to the idea that language affects our cognition. The existence of concepts in our vocabulary allows us to access the world in specific ways, while the limitations of language also lead to simplifications and omissions in our descriptions. For example, the limited number of color words in a language contrasts with the vast spectrum of colors we can perceive. Language is optimized for communication and social coordination, leading to trade-offs and biases in how we perceive and explain the world.
The Origin of Language and its Connection to Human Biology
The origin of language is a multifaceted topic with ongoing debates among researchers. The cognitive prerequisites for language evolution include social cognition, theory of mind, and social coordination. These factors play a vital role in the development of language. While the biological evolution of humans and the historical evolution of individual languages are separate processes, there is an interplay between them. Human languages have adapted to human biology, and cultural and historical factors impact language evolution. Language has been a key factor in the unprecedented social organization and cultural advancements of humans.
Language and Bias: the Influence of Language on Reasoning and Perception
Language plays a critical role in shaping our reasoning and perception, often leading to biases and limitations. Linguistic relativity suggests that the structures of our language determine what we easily question, what descriptions we are satisfied with, and when we shut off our thinking. Language not only influences cognitive processes but also affects social coordination, leading to different judgments, explanations, and behaviors. Choices of words can impact decision-making, legal judgments, and emergency responses. Furthermore, language can overwrite our memories, as verbalization influences our recollection of events. Understanding these influence of language on bias is crucial for critical thinking and more precise scientific understanding of the world.
The Importance of Language for Social Coordination
Language is not only important for reasoning and reducing cognitive processing; it plays a crucial role in social coordination. While categories in language are essential for individual thought, they are equally, if not more, important for social coordination. Language allows us to navigate the world and coordinate with others by establishing shared understanding. The evolution of language categories is not solely driven by biological evolution but also by cultural evolution through social interactions.
Language as a Tool for Coordinating Actions and Persuasion
Language serves as a tool for coordinating actions and achieving mutual benefit through social interactions. It goes beyond just directing someone to a piece of reality; it includes justifying actions, persuading others, and advocating for certain analyses. Words evolve and become conventionalized through successful coordination in cultural milieus, allowing for efficient communication and minimizing the need for lengthy descriptions. While language can be used manipulatively, it is a fundamental aspect of social communication and serves to influence others for mutual benefit.
We describe the world using language — we can’t help it. And we all know that ordinary language is an imperfect way of communicating rigorous scientific statements, but sometimes it’s the best we can do. Linguist N.J. Enfield argues that the difficulties run more deeply than we might ordinarily suppose. We use language as a descriptive tool, but its origins are found in more social practices — communicating with others to express our feelings and persuade them to agree with us. As such, the very structure of language itself reflects these social purposes, and we have to be careful not to think it provides an unfiltered picture of reality.
