A Myriad of Tongues: How Languages Reveal Differences in How We Think

The relationship between the language we speak and our perception of time, space, color, and smells is explored in Caleb Everett's book "A Myriad of Tongues." He shows that many basic concepts are not universal and that speakers of different languages literally see and think about the world differently. He also explains why some cultures talk anthropocentrically about things being to ones "left" or "right," while others use geocentric words, and the connection between what we eat and the sounds we make.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 19 September 2023
Publisher: Harvard University Press

We often assume that all languages categorize ideas and objects similarly, reflecting our common human experience. However, this is not the case. When we take a closer look, we discover that many fundamental concepts are not universal, and that speakers of different languages literally see and think about the world differently. Caleb Everett, in his book "A Myriad of Tongues," takes readers on a global journey, exploring what linguistic diversity tells us about human culture. He challenges conventional wisdom and overturns assumptions along the way. For instance, while it may seem that everyone refers to time in spatial terms, such as "time passing us by," speakers of the Amazonian language Tupi Kawahib never do. In fact, Tupi Kawahib has no word for "time" at all. It has long been understood that languages categorize colors based on those that speakers regularly encounter. However, evidence suggests that the color words we have at our disposal affect how we discriminate colors themselves. A rose may not appear as rosy by any other name. Moreover, the terms available to us even determine the range of smells we can identify. European languages tend to have just a few abstract odor words, such as "floral" or "stinky," whereas Indigenous languages often have well over a dozen.

Why do some cultures talk anthropocentrically about things being to one's "left" or "right," while others use geocentric words like "east" and "west"? What is the connection between what we eat and the sounds we make? "A Myriad of Tongues" answers these and other questions, yielding profound insights into the fundamentals of human communication and experience. Everett's book sheds light on the diverse ways in which languages shape our perception of the world, challenging us to think beyond our cultural biases and embrace the richness and complexity of linguistic diversity. It is a must-read for anyone interested in language, culture, and the human experience.

Weight: 460g
Dimension: 216 x 147 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674976580