A Humorous Look at the Question “Does Language Define Us?”
You may or may not find this +-3 minute language sketch amusing. What I find alternately funny and scary is the fact that the guy on the right really reminds me of one of my linguistics professors, both in his speech and gestures. It’s entertaining to see some Chomskyan (is that spelled right?) ideas used in this context.
Now, do you agree with him or disagree?
I think that one’s “Language” does limit or promote certain behaviors, personality traits and or cultural tendencies. However, I think that determining is a strong word because it implies that one has no choice in the matter.
I think that the natural strengths and weaknesses do give certain tendencies to a a person because their language either does not express certain things well or lends it self very well to another.
So in my opinion, yes, we are affected by our language but I don’t believe that it defines us.