He believes the language causes the behavior. We must at least consider the possibility that the behavior has influenced the development of the language or that his finding is coincidence. Especially since he puts German on one side of the behavioral divide and English on the other, when linguists tend to identify English as a Germanic language.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Cause and Effect
A Yale scientist has found behavioral correlates of one's language having or not having a clear distinction between future and present. M. Keith Chen concludes that when the language has no clear distinction between the present and future, its speakers are more likely to save, exercise, avoid smoking, etc. That is, to engage in behaviors that are healthy and future-oriented.
