Indigenous language and perceptionIndigenous language and perception
All In The Mind
Our perception of the world is significantly affected by the language we speak. Indigenous languages from around Australia pose a vastly different perspective of the world than that of English. We explore how these languages influence perceptions of self, kinship and the natural world.
29:07•1 Sept 2019
Language and Perception: The Indigenous Australian Perspective
“Language is the key to complexity and to our ways of thinking about the world. Language is training your mind, because it's training you to form these concepts about the world, which is the first way we reason about the world.”
Ever thought about how the language you speak shapes your view of the world? In this episode of 'All In The Mind', Nick Evans from The Australian National University and Professor Pat Dudgeon from The University of Western Australia take you on a fascinating journey through Indigenous Australian languages. These languages offer a unique lens through which to understand concepts of self, kinship, and the natural world.
For instance, did you know that some Aboriginal languages don't have a word for 'safety'? Or that they use kinship terms to describe animals and plants? It's a whole different way of seeing the world. Pat Dudgeon also shares her research on Aboriginal cognition and memory, and discusses her efforts to create mental health services that are culturally relevant for Indigenous Australians. If you're curious about how language can shape thought and perception, this episode is a must-listen.
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