Language Influences

Question Description

Please watch Lera Boroditski’s Ted Talk about language (链接到外部网站。). I have a couple of friends who speak German (链接到外部网站。) and Swedish (链接到外部网站。), and they have words they don’t know how to translate because the meaning is so culturally based. I use north, south, east, and west when giving directions to people, and it’s difficult for me to change it to left and right. When I lived in Silverado Canyon, forget about addresses. If you didn’t know direction and landmarks, you’d never my house. When my family came up, my brother was in charge of finding my place. He was the only one I knew that would take my mile markers seriously. 1.7 miles in and turn left meant 1.7 miles and turn left.

When watching the video, think about times you have had a conversation with someone who either spoke another language or was raised elsewhere. Did you experience different understandings at any time? Have you had a discussion with someone who had no understanding at all what they were talking about? Do you think you could use direction like the Kuuk Thaayorre people?

As usual, please respond to at least two classmates, and make sure to post a minimum of 150 words. More is always better. =)