Would you think differently if you spoke a different language? And does the structure of your language have any perceptible effect on your behaviour?
We’re revisiting the Sapir Whorf Hypothesis. Is this an idea that’s coming in from the cold? And are linguists too territorial when non-linguists do work in language? Hedvig chats with two expert linguists on this episode of Talk the Talk.
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Full interview
Hedvig speaks with linguists Mikael Parkvall and Östen Dahl about the link between language, culture, and thought. Linguists are typically unconvinced that our language influences our thinking, but why is this so? These linguists have reasons — and some special ties to work on this topic.
Thanks to Mikael and Östen for a fascinating conversation.
Also at https://www.patreon.com/posts/interview-with-20584694
Cutting Room Floor
That’s not hot! That’s not cold. The Talk the Talk team talks weather.
Why is it lineys and not linos? What does rice smell like? And if we’re not Whorfians, then why do we use inclusive language?
And we try to learn the lessons provided by biologists, but we probably won’t.
Also at https://www.patreon.com/posts/20772691
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Show notes
New Zealand sexist road sign changed by seven-year-old girl
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45015442
Floyd, San Roque, & Majid: Smell Is Coded in Grammar and Frequent in Discourse: Cha’palaa Olfactory Language in Cross-Linguistic Perspective (PDF)
http://pubman.mpdl.mpg.de/pubman/item/escidoc:2574932:6/component/escidoc:2629887/Floyd_SanRoque_Majid_2018.pdf
Dahl: WALS Online – Chapter Tense and Aspect
http://wals.info/chapter/s7
Parkvall: The three-letter word that rocked a nation
https://www.pri.org/stories/2018-03-15/three-letter-word-rocked-nation
Some surprising things about 3D printable “ghost” guns
https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/08/01/some-surprising-things-about-3d-printable-ghost-guns/
Today’s lexicographical delight: the fact that people seem to be converging on “3D guns” as shorthand for “3D-printed guns” even though all guns are three-dimensional.
— Mx. Leah Velleman (@leahvelleman) 1 August 2018
‘Our customers are telling us they need more time’: Coles extends free reusable plastic bag offer
https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/our-customers-are-telling-us-they-need-more-time-coles-extends-free-reusable-plastic-bag-offer/news-story/e894698e4038d6e8e9a7b96553991f8f
I have amused myself by getting the word “bag-flip” into tonight’s story on Coles. Please do not blame the producer.
— Juanita Phillips (@Juanita_Phillip) 2 August 2018
Don’t call it a ‘wolphin’: Unique hybrid dolphin spotted off Hawaii
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-01/dolphin-hybrid-not-wolphin/10060746
Transcript
We’re working our way back through the archives. If you think we should prioritise a transcript of this episode, let us know!
12 August 2018 at 6:26 pm
I always enjoy your discussions on linguistic relativity, although I have to admit the Klingon face of Worf from Star Trek: Next Generation always comes to mind when I hear Sapir-Whorf. I read the article below recently and thought it might also be something interesting for you to bring up on the show.
https://qz.com/1241030/metaphors-can-change-our-opinions-in-ways-we-dont-even-realize/
12 August 2018 at 8:47 pm
This is definitely worth mentioning! I think this might be one of the only manifestations of the SWH that I believe. The other one is issues of wording, say in opinion polls.