Question

explain the sapir-whorf hypotheses for the Amondawa Tribe of Brazil.

explain the sapir-whorf hypotheses for both backpfeifengesicht and schadenfreude

Answer 1

1. Sapir-Whorf hypothesis for the Amondawa Tribe of Brazil

According to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis or the principle of linguistic relativity, language determines how people think, perceive, and behave. In other words, language influences a person’s cognition.

Research by Chris Sinha of the University of Portsmouth has shown that the Amondawa people in Brazil do not have the concept of time. There are no words such as week, month, year, and even time in their language. These people do have divisions for seasons and days/nights, but they have no age. They change their names according to the different stages of their lives.

Based on the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, we can say that the nonexistence of such words in their language does impact how the Amondawa people perceive time and events. Although they talk about events occurring, they do not associate the events to a particular time, like “last week” or “next month.” However, their lack of the idea of time does not mean the concept is beyond their cognitive capacities. It has been found that these people have no problem understanding the concept of time when they learn other languages, especially Portuguese which most people of this tribe have been learning recently.

2. Sapir-Whorf hypothesis for backpfeifengesicht and schadenfreude

According to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, people who speak different languages perceive things differently. The word “schadenfreude” is a German word that means “deriving pleasure from another person’s misfortune.” The word “backpfeifengesicht” is also a German word that means “a face that needs a slap.” These words may not be translated exactly into other languages, but the concept can be translated. When such words are explained to a person who does not know German, he or she mostly gets the feeling of the word. So, although people may perceive the words differently, understanding such words is not beyond their cognitive abilities.