🧠 Language Shapes Thinking: Kuuk Thaayorre’s Unique Worldview | #LeraBoroditsky #TEDTalk

In this fascinating TED Talk, cognitive scientist Lera Boroditsky explores how language influences the way we think, focusing on the Aboriginal Kuuk Thaayorre people of Australia.

Living in Pormpuraaw at the western edge of Cape York 🌍, the Kuuk Thaayorre language does not use terms like "left" and "right." Instead, it relies on cardinal directions—north, south, east, and west 🧭—for spatial orientation.

Whether they're describing where an object is or even saying hello 👋, the Kuuk Thaayorre people are always aware of their position in relation to the world around them.

This unique linguistic trait shapes how they perceive and navigate their environment. Boroditsky’s research offers a striking example of how language can shape our cognitive processes and worldview 🌏.

For more insights, watch: "How language shapes the way we think | Lera Boroditsky | TED".

#LeraBoroditsky #KuukThaayorre #CognitiveScience #LanguageDiversity #IndigenousLanguages #AboriginalCulture #TEDTalk #Linguistics #Cognition #SpatialAwareness #CardinalDirections #CulturalDiversity #LanguageLearning #GlobalCultures #IndigenousPeoples #Psychology #Anthropology #Neuroscience #HumanBehavior #Tedxtalk #LanguagePower #Australia #TEDTalks

[curiosdogg]

Their culture centers around direction. Ours centers on time.

[SeekingSikhiStories]

I bet these people never get lost on a walkabout 🙂✌🏼💜🙏🏼

[joestarlight]

It's a reminder that your connected to the land

[kickatinalong]

Sounds right. I was amazed that even playing basketball the kids would call out cardinal directions. Calling "kakarra!" (East) or "yatija" (north) etc to each other as to where they wanted to catch the pass. This was when I taught school in Warlpiri country in the NT, Australia back in the 80s. (Ali Curung)

[michaelwright]

That is so very interesting. The spatial awareness that would create in your mind would have SO many real-world real-time applications. Obviously any sort of navigation would have the potential to be greatly enhanced. Pilots, scouts, snipers. Anything involving space would be your domain in a way that others would not understand without instructions. Incredible.

[michaelobrien]

I find Lera Boroditsky to be mesmerizing in her beauty and figure, and i just love this dress.
And her message is so interesting

[mungaikihanya]

The diversity of the human race is amazing.

In my community of Gîkûyû people who hail from the southern slopes of Mt Kenya, your name is decided long before you are even conceived!

Just like genetics, when you are born, the names of one half of all the children you can possibly have are fixed. The names of the other half will come from your wife/husband.

[nicholasflynn]

That’s actually amazing, growing up in Ireland if you were asked or telling someone where you were going it was west the road, east the road, north the road, or south the road.

[EnglishTeacherBerlin]

Very interesting way of implementing a sense of orientation into speech.
Maybe an indicator of the importance of directions in earlier times?

[uzochukwunwoke]

She is adorable dressed.
Takes nothing away from her beauty.

[kmc]

I grew up helping my dad on the farm in Arkansas. He would say things like, "Get the shovel from the north end of the barn and bring it to the east end of the garden." Or "We need to cut down that red oak on the west side of the creek." With constant references to cardinal directions in our daily life, I learned directions before I started school. I actually knew my directions before I learned left and right. Sometimes I meet people who don't know directions and it seems so strange that people don't know something that seems so basic to me. I always tell them if they don't know directions they are lost and don't even know it.

[hendiherawan]

Javanese people speak in that way when it comes to position of objects, whereabouts they going, where they've been and other things. like " where is the cup?" Its on your south, it's not that they didn't have the concept of left and right, but the context determines which concept going to use,
I dont really talk in English and that what I can share

[marcopolitical]

Dang I never heard that. I wish that any language would have that.
To me it appears very rational and logical.

I’m not sure I would get used to it easily if it was introduced to do so from now on. But I would do my absolute best.

[nancygelber]

In addition to your intelligence and decision to explore worlds foreign to most, that hair style is devine.

[anicma]

It’s the same with my village in Kerala.

[roberthayward]

Well, that didn't go south real fast.

[kailashbedi]

How wonderful!
Those laughing in the audience perhaps could not appreciate the value and depth of this culture. ☮️

[TheSacredTempleofLight]

You've hit a point here with the title.

Because language shapes matter and what we see we believe.. And so language shapes our thinking.

In the beginning was the word refers to the beginning of time. As eternity has no beginning.
Language exists in time, as bodies exist in time.
Spirit is timeless.

[lasalareen]

My people!!! This is how we should speak!!!

[Treestorey]

We also say it like this in Bali "can you move your cup to the west or north side if the table please!" 😂😂