Linguistic Relativity (Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis)

Linguistic Relativity, or the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, suggests that the language we speak influences how we think and perceive the world. In other words, the words and sentence structures in our language can shape our experiences, memory, and understanding of concepts. For example, different languages may categorize colors, emotions, or time in unique ways, which can affect how speakers of those languages interpret or prioritize these concepts. While not claiming language completely determines thought, the hypothesis highlights a close relationship between language and cognitive processes, emphasizing that language can shape, but not entirely define, our worldview.