I’ve been thinking about language a lot these days as I study Italian, which will be my fourth language. English is my native tongue, but I have spoken Dutch fluently for most of my life. My third language is Hebrew, though I’m anything but fluent. While English and Dutch are fairly similar, Hebrew feels like it’s from a different planet. Italian shares many common words with English but has some radical differences in syntax. This makes me reflect on how language affects thought.
I also wonder how being deaf affects the thought process. I know there’s a lot of research on this, and clearly, there are effects. Language is deeply internal to the way we think. I believe humans and language evolved together — each shaping the other.
The world is full of different languages. Most people on Earth cannot communicate with each other through language. The largest common language is English, with about 1.5 billion total speakers, but less than 5% speak it natively. In contrast, almost twice as many people speak Mandarin Chinese as their first language.
What would happen if we all spoke the same language? Would the world be a better place because we could understand each other better? Or would we lose some of the richness that comes from the diverse ways different languages shape thought?
It’s rumored that Apple will soon release a translation capability using AirPods and iPhones. The AirPods would translate what they hear, and when you speak, your phone would play back a translation so the other person can understand you.
I already use my iPhone for translating so many things. Apple has made this much easier. I can easily read an email in Italian using its built-in translation tools, and then write a reply in English and convert it back to Italian.
But I believe that actually learning to speak Italian will give me a deeper insight into how Italians think.
Two Thirds Done 
Hi, Avram! I’ve been reading Showman by Simon Schuster (how can that be a real name?) about Zelenskyy and the early days of the Russian war. Zelenskyy speaks Russian, as do most of the people of eastern Ukraine. I don’t think the one language thing has helped that part of the world. There is a certain type of person who seems to be able to seize and hold power, at least for a while. My husband is Dutch and I would describe the language as involving a lot of spitting, but then again I don’t really ‘speak Dutch’. He does and has spent time by phone/video with relatives still in the Netherlands. (He tells me my accent is dreadful.) Not sure about Italian, but Spanish and Portuguese are quite close. I speak a smidgeon of French and Spanish, but am not fluent by any means. Since language likely frames our thinking, you raise a good question about how do deaf people think. Never considered that before. Clearly they do. I’d love to read something by about the experience. I see there’s a book by Nyle DiMarco titled Deaf Utopia: A Memoir―and a Love Letter to a Way of Life. I’ll have to take a look at that. Aren’t you glad to be out of the US at this point?! I’m considering Canada and the Netherlands if things continue to worsen. We shall see. Meanwhile there are protests to attend. Take care
LikeLike
Yes, it is how deaf people think is very interesting. I have been doing a bit of research on it. I would love to understand directly from someone that is deaf (from birth). I do have some direct experience in thinking without words. I generally read without sub vocalizing which make my reading much faster. I can compose music without hearing the sounds. The brain is so interesting.
LikeLike
Avram, I studied Italian
LikeLike
Can you still speak it?
LikeLike
Interesting topic. I agree, although a sing
LikeLike
I think the world will be quite a boring place if everyone speaks the same native language, especially music! I am all for diversity.
LikeLike
I think the world will be quite a boring place if everyone speaks the same native language, especially music! I am all for diversity.
LikeLike
Dear Avram,
I speak four languages, three of them fluently. Without any doubt, I have a better experience when I visit countries where I know the language. However, this doesn’t mean I understand the mentality, social approach, and culture. For that, language is of little help. Time is what helps. Spending several months to several years in a country where you speak the language can help you understand its people better.
As for the question, “What would happen if we all spoke the same language? Would the world be a better place because we could understand each other better?”
Do you think American people understand each other well?
Even within the same families, people often don’t talk to each other if some are Democrats and others are pro-Trump.
My experience is that empathy, openness, tolerance, and curiosity help people accept and understand others better. In my experience, this applies to less than 5% of the population.
But I think you know all this too well, and your question was rhetorical.
How’s your relocation in Italy?
LikeLike
As usual, you make excellent points. Of course, speaking a langauge does not mean that you understand the culture but it certainly helps. My understanding of Dutch culture is much great because I speak that language then if I did not.
I don’t know if the world would be a better place if we spoke the same language but I suspect in many ways it might be. I think we can look at countries that share the same language (more or less), like, the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zeeland, or all the Spanish speaking countries to get some insight. I will try to think about that.
Our move to Italy is going well. We are enjoying the experience. The people and the food are wonderful. But I constantly miss living in Tel Aviv.
LikeLike
“I constantly miss living in Tel Aviv.”
I lived in a few places (I am not much of a traveler): Paris, Formentera, Tel Aviv, Los Angeles and USSR Moscow (kidding), and there is nothing like Tel Aviv.
Yes, nowhere in the world are the museums, architecture and the food as amazing as in Paris, nowhere is the the mix of easy living, nature, pitoresque, deserted beaches and post-Sixties luxury as formidable as Formentera. Nowhere else can you find the wide open spaces of huge avenues, the mountains in the middle of the city and the nouveau riche bling bling than in Los Angeles.
But when in Tel Aviv…
LikeLike
I know, Tel Aviv is so amazing.
LikeLike