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  • The Language Hoax

  • Why the World Looks the Same in Any Language
  • By: John H. McWhorter
  • Narrated by: John McWhorter
  • Length: 5 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (16 ratings)

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The Language Hoax

By: John H. McWhorter
Narrated by: John McWhorter
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Publisher's Summary

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 audiobook 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.

©2014 Oxford University Press (P)2015 Audible Inc.

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Not bad, not bad!

John weaves an exacting picture of the "language hoax" as he sees it. He speaks with pedantic detail and balance, coloured with a light humoured respectful tone regarding the studies that lead him to write the book.

There is room for debate regarding many points he makes and his counter analysis of popular belief regarding language but much of that is perhaps a result of his focus and resistance to being sidetracked by points that aren't germaine to the overall point he is trying to make. In this way I'd say it's imperfectly imperfect.

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his other stuff is better.

This isn't bad, but his other stuff is much better. The entire book is spent debunking a particular linguistic theory, it probably doesn't need to be an entire book. This is one of those cases where a good essay is kind of over-padded into a "not bad" book.

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