Language and the mind: How language shapes our thinking

Authors

Xiaodi Zhou, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-28-2023

Abstract

This paper analyzes languages and their connections to thinking and culture using an autoethnographic lens. This autoethnography utilized personal examples and those from the author’s students’ compositions as evidence of the link between languages and cultures. Both named languages and dialects of those languages are contemplated for the basis of how their traits influence perceptions. A neuroscientific rationale is also made between human languages and human cultures. The link between culture and language, including dialects, is made, positioning the act of translanguaging as real time dialogue between cultures. Finally, classroom implications are presented with actual student writing and multimodal performances to showcase how students’ cultures are manifested via classroom engagements, particularly through translanguaging.

Comments

© 2023 the author(s).

Recommended Citation

Zhou, Xiaodi. "Language and the mind: how language shapes our thinking." Journal of World Languages 9.3 (2023): 505-529.https://doi.org/10.1515/jwl-2023-0018

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Publication Title

Journal of World Languages

DOI

10.1515/jwl-2023-0018