The notion that different languages constrain our thinking in different ways is the central tenet of the Sapir Whorff Hypothesis, and true so far as it goes. But it certainly is not an absolute truth. For one thing, languages change especially as a result of folks inventing new ways to think and do things. And then, if Chomsky's and the Vedic views of language are correct (and I think they are), then the deeper you go, the less constraint there is from all things, including language. a
cardemaister <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Angela Mailander <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I hope you guys don't mind my interjecting a couple of thoughts here. Sapir Whorf doesn't address the emotional reaction we often have on hearing the sound of another language. We find French charming, Dutch funny, and German harsh, for example. > > Instead, the claim is that different languages constrain our thinking in various ways. Yeah, I know that. That's why my "emotional level" was emphasized. Should have been more explicit about that. Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com