Does Your Language Shape How You Think?

Ever wonder how English ended up as this planet’s “International Language”?
If you’re Greek, then you’ve probably heard about the vote that happened some time during the last century to decide which language would be used for international affairs, business, signage and so on. According to the story, Greek lost to English by just one vote. In fact, the especially dramatic version says that, while everyone was voting, one last grecophile was in the toilet.
So close!
Of course, the whole story is bullshit.

It looks like this is New York Times Week, because I’m linking to another great article I read over there. Does Your Language Shape How You Think talks about, well, how language shapes the way we think. It’s a fascinating piece.

Among other things, it compares languages that assign genders to inanimate objects (French, German or Greek for example: le pont, die brücke, η γέφυρα) and languages that don’t (the bridge).
I like English. It’s concise, easy to learn and constantly evolving. It’s also often ambiguous, very context-sensitive and has tons of homophones. Which is great for comedy.
I don’t mind it being the “International Language”. In fact, I would argue that it might be better suited for a modern, civilized world than many others. A language that doesn’t discriminate between, say, a male or female teacher is much better suited to a society where people of both genders (and everything in between) are considered equal.
Of course, language is, possibly, the least of our problems, but it’s an interesting thought.

Anyway, read for yourselves, and let me know what you think.

(photo by Horacio Salinas for The New York Times)

What Is It About 20-Somethings?

Are you 20-something?
Do you ever wonder why you don’t feel like an “adult” yet?
Does it seem like “real” adults expect you to be one?
Are you clueless as to what you want to do with your life?
Of course you are.
The reason I know this, is that I know all the people who read this blog personally…

According to this NYT article, we’re going through “emerging adulthood”. Some psychologists are trying to establish it as a new stage in human development. Its main characteristics include “pervasive ambivalence towards self and society,” “the feeling of absolute freedom, of living in a world of pure possibilities” and “the enormous value placed upon change, transformation and movement“.
So it’s basically a second adolescence for spoiled, rich kids.
Here’s another great quote from the article: “The 20s are like the stem cell of human development“.
Go ahead and read it (it’s pretty long) then come back. I’m not going anywhere (after all… I’m in the army).

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m displaying all the signs of “emerging adulthood”. I’m also the last person to say no to any excuse for postponing maturity.
But I often wonder: how much is too much. How long can I afford to keep searching? Is there a cut-off age? A time when you decide that your dreams (whatever they may be) are no longer a possibility? Is it thirty? And, anyway, what are you going to do about it?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.