Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis suggests that the language we speak influences how we think and perceive the world. This idea, proposed by linguists Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf, argues that different languages shape different cognitive patterns, meaning that speakers of various languages may experience reality in unique ways.
For example, a language that has multiple words for snow might lead its speakers to notice and categorize snow differently than speakers of a language with just one word for it. This hypothesis highlights the connection between language, thought, and culture, emphasizing that our understanding of the world can be shaped by the linguistic tools we use.