Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Does language influence worldview?
Position2 of 3

Yes, but worldview also influences language

Research on Pirahã and comparisons of the evolutionary trees of several hundred languages have shown worldview shapes languages. Theories such as linguistic relativity have also shown that languages influence our worldview. Therefore, worldview and language reciprocally influence each other.

Supporting arguments · 2

  1. Worldview and language influence each other
    To distinguish which influenced the other first is a chicken and egg question. Worldview helped shape languages and languages influence our perceptions. Therefore, worldview and language are reciprocally influencing each other.
  2. Worldview shaped languages
    Research of the Pirahã people and comparisons of the evolutionary trees of several hundred languages have shown that languages are shaped in culture-specific instead of universal ways.