How Language Shapes the Way We Think • Professor Lera Boroditsky • Duocon 2022

Professor Lera Boroditsky is a cognitive scientist and professor in the fields of language and cognition at University of California, San Diego. She was born in Belarus and emigrated to the United States at age 12, where she learned to speak English as her fourth language. Lera’s research combines insights and methods from linguistics, psychology, neuroscience, and anthropology.

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[darrenthompson]

I have always been fascinated with the idea of how language differences change how people think. This presentation was my favorite part of Duocon 2022.

[keren]

A brilliant speech! I really loved listening to her explain. Time to go do my duo lessons 🦉 🔥

[MohamedAli-rdrn]

I am really appreciate your time and you, prof ❤️

[alexisacostagdn]

Wow, that's an amazing explanation about languages. It's really interesting how the knowledge can transform the way of thinking about something.

[elborresponjadito]

Duo makes me really happy, thanks for all 💙

[hummingfrog]

If you are interested in this sort of thing I would recommend reading _Through_ _the_ _Language_ _Glass, _ by Guy Deutscher. He reviews all of the examples given in this video and more, but he reaches a somewhat different conclusion than Boroditsky (who is cited in the book). Rather than saying that different languages result in "really big differences in thought, " he concludes that the differences, while real, are fairly subtle. I don't think Boroditsky and Deutscher would get into much of an argument over this though, because Deutscher was addressing the "Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, " which argued that different languages can result in _profound_ differences in thought, to the point where there are things that can be said is some languages that simply can't be said -- and therefore can't be thought! -- in others. Deutscher concludes that this isn't true, and that anything that can be said in one language can be said in another, although sometimes it does require a little more effort. (Kind of a pity in a way -- the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis was the starting point of some interesting science fiction!)

[shalinpatel]

Not many videos fundamentally change the way I think about things in the world. Thank you for giving me this incredible new view on language.

[rebeccagibson]

I'm definitely trying to change the way I think. What better way to get new ideas too.

[Mayrasarmazopaulino]

Pra mim foi o melhor vídeo. For me it was the best vídeo.

[earthandwind]

👍 especially the part where she points out that most of the research is by American ug, which narrows our understanding of the world (properly).

[DonTiamo]

Every parents biggest dream is that their child would learn to think. Imagine how proud she is making her's...

[Melureia]

This is fascinating to me! Thank you so much Duo team! <3

[liveloveliven]

Thank you so much for this video! I was literally getting goosebumps listening to some facts and ideas 💛 Amazing!

[anaisabelrodriguez]

First video that I see, And I loved it, I really want to learn English. This is exactly what I wanted for me was like I was watching Ted talks because this is how I am learning too beside duoapp and I would like to see more talks like this one ❤❤❤ more than happy with this keep going you just got another subscriber❤❤

[WhyMyNameHere]

Duolingo needs GPS Tracker to find friends if allowed by user's phone

[arnoldxd]

Explicitly, what were the 3 thoughts she wanted to leave us at the end?

[dadlh]

It has been a year why did you do that i miss them so much 😞 I missed one Spanish lesson before you install the app you need to understand its Spanish or vanish

[ellistonvallarino]

i have always loved her presentations/videos. Languages really are amazing, diverse, and powerful.

Duolingo sucks btw. I tried to use it to learn French, and I got nowhere. I needed to learn it for my work. I learned French just by listening and copying my coworkers. Duolingo is too slow and does not teaches important stuff from the beginning, like grammar. There are like 10 levels before you see important stuff. I learned English at school, Chinese at a Chinese school, and French at work. Duolingo will never be as good as a classroom or as deep as life experiences.

[brunohannud]

I have the interpretation for the referencing of time on the landscape for the Kuuk Thaayorre in this way: they consider themselves as a part of the Environment - in opposition to our Egocentric Manner. This could alude to the Myth of Gaia which they'd not be part of and which would at the end of the day mean the exact opposite of what you said: they should not be considered egocentric (like us) but centered on THEIR ecosystem (ethnocentric and therefore well adapted and proud), integral part of ANY Biome and this would agree with their primitive status, logically more convincing.
Since they reference Space using Cardinal directions, here, too, indifference, meaning lust for Integration IF PROVIDED THE CORRECT MEANS and in the right time and circumstances... and Agility to do so. And repulsion to dangerously compromise on inconsistent comfort zones. Having said this, I would guess they are a very curious people and would not abhor adapting, as a primitive group, elsewhere.

[dadautube]

Lera Boroditsky has the mind of a genius as well as the gorgeous looks of a goddess, doesn't she? both brains and beauty, irresistible! 🌼🌺🌷🌻❤‍🩹🧡💛❤💚💙🖤🤎🤍