The Language Hoax PDF
By:John H. McWhorter
Published on 2014-04-01 by Oxford University Press
Japanese has a term that covers both green and blue. Russian has separate terms for dark and light blue. Does this mean that Russians perceive these colors differently from Japanese people? Does language control and limit the way we think? This short, opinionated book addresses the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, which argues that the language we speak shapes the way we perceive the world. Linguist John McWhorter argues that while this idea is mesmerizing, it is plainly wrong. It is language that reflects culture and worldview, not the other way around. The fact that a language has only one word for eat, drink, and smoke doesn't mean its speakers don't process the difference between food and beverage, and those who use the same word for blue and green perceive those two colors just as vividly as others do. McWhorter shows not only how the idea of language as a lens fails but also why we want so badly to believe it: we're eager to celebrate diversity by acknowledging the intelligence of peoples who may not think like we do. Though well-intentioned, our belief in this idea poses an obstacle to a better understanding of human nature and even trivializes the people we seek to celebrate. The reality -- that all humans think alike -- provides another, better way for us to acknowledge the intelligence of all peoples.
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Book ID of The Language Hoax's Books is dpnlAgAAQBAJ, Book which was written byJohn H. McWhorterhave ETAG "7vtNDRyU1XE"
Book which was published by Oxford University Press since 2014-04-01 have ISBNs, ISBN 13 Code is 9780199361601 and ISBN 10 Code is 0199361606
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Book which have "224 Pages" is Printed at BOOK under CategoryLanguage Arts and Disciplines
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