What Language Do You Think In? Break That Habit

Not long ago, someone accused me of "thinking in English" and I thought that was interesting, mostly because it isn't true. Still, if one were to think in a specific language, and some psychologists suggest this really is generally the case, then I personally cannot think of a better language than English because it is a "composite language" made up of so many others. Thus, if one is to think in English then they probably have a much wider array and range of thoughts than those who think in other languages. Okay so, let's talk.

Personally, I don't really think in a language, I think in pictures, and the mental video of my mind's eye without too many filters of social or cultural conditioning. Perhaps, like you I don't store my mind in a box, as I never saw the need for that. As a prolific writer, it does appear that my mind has been slowly producing an add-on methodology of thinking, thinking in words that is, yes words in English.

In some languages such as the Native American Cherokee they have over 50 words describing love. There is the love of a father for a son, or for the son of his mother. There is a love of nature, and when two people love one another. It goes on and on like that and there are 50 different words to learn. What I'm saying is perhaps all the other cultures of the world have a lot to learn from the Cherokees. You can see that if you thought in their language, you would have a different view of the world. You would have come to a different understanding throughout your life experience.

How you put the symbols together in your language to form words, phrases, or thought does have something to do with the formatting of your brain. Some people think in lyrics, and associations of repetition, alliteration, and rhyming words. Yes, they think differently, but they have advantages that the rest of us don't when it comes to various human endeavors. If someone thinks in a certain language they also think in a certain cultural perspective, and it is said that those folks that speaking multiple languages have an advantage also.

It's hard to disagree with this, as the psychologist obviously have something here, and it makes sense. Nevertheless, I would submit to you that since English is a composite language and thus, you get the best of all worlds by learning one language because it has components of so many others. Do you see that point? Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.worldthinktank.net/ - Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.

View the original article here