{"id":40,"date":"2024-05-27T14:34:08","date_gmt":"2024-05-27T21:34:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/stephtakeda\/?p=40"},"modified":"2024-06-04T21:46:23","modified_gmt":"2024-06-05T04:46:23","slug":"task-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/stephtakeda\/2024\/05\/27\/task-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Task 2: Does Language Shape The Way We Think?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dr. <\/span>Boroditsky’s<\/span> lecture<\/span> was quite enlightening.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Below are the statements from her presentation that resonated with me the most.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

https:\/\/create.piktochart.com\/output\/a3e72a3bc569-create-your-own-poster<\/a><\/h6>\n

The thesis of Dr. Borditsky\u2019s presentation is the impact of language on thought.\u00a0 <\/span>Watching her speak, along with the other videos this week, made me consider the role of language in my own life. Specifically, the impact of growing up in a multilingual family and how this diversity of languages might shape my thinking. Although (much to my chagrin) I speak only English, my mother is from Portugal, my father is from Japan, and I am married to a Francophone.\u00a0 Though I\u2019ve never really sat and thought about it before, I do think that exposure to these <\/span>languages has indeed shaped my thought processes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What comes to mind most is living with my grandparents on my mother’s side for a large part of my life. <\/span>Communication in Portuguese, their primary language, introduced me to a whole new dynamic and way of thinking. They were so passionate about almost everything and that came across when they spoke. <\/span>I remember at first never really being sure if an argument was being had or just a good conversation \u2013 and often I think it was both.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My grandparents spoke very little English, so <\/span>we relied on a mishmash of English and Portuguese, supplemented heavily by non-verbal cues.<\/span> Gestures played a big role, as did touch in our communication.\u00a0 <\/span>For instance, rather than asking my grandmother if she wanted her nails painted, I would simply raise my eyebrows with the nail polish in hand, silently asking for approval. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We also learned to communicate in alternative ways. It might sound a bit crazy, but I believe that cooking became a form of communication for us. My grandmother taught me to cook without speaking any English at all. We spent many hours preparing meals, shopping for ingredients, and gathering around the dining table without ever being able to speak to each other directly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>My grandfather was a great storyteller. Even though we only understood parts of his tales, they were always fascinating and funny. It wasn’t just the words he used; he also relied on intonation, hand gestures, and pacing to get his message across.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, how has this impacted the way I think?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n