Does Language Shape Our Thought?

The idea that different languages may bestow different cog­nitive abilities has existed for hundreds of years, but only recently have cognitive researchers gradually uncovered evidence that the language we speak may have an impact on the way we think and process events that take place in the world around us. According to scientists, our understanding of events, causality, spatial relationships and time are shaped by cultural constructs and language.

Linguists discovered some time ago that language conventions influence our spatial representations of time. For example, in languages that are written left to right, such as English, people tend to think of the passage of time as a phenomenon that flows from left to right. The converse is true for speakers of Arabic, for whom time moves from right to left, just like their written language.

Researchers have noted that Mandarin Chinese speakers construct vertical timelines as opposed to the horizontal timelines favored by English and Arabic speakers. Speakers of Mandarin occasionally use horizontal terms to discuss time, but they frequently make mention of earlier events as “up” and later events as “down”. May, for example is “above” July.

A 2010 study of the Pormpuraawan aboriginal people of Australia by researchers Alice Gaby and Lera Boroditsky found that speakers of the community’s indigenous languages oriented themselves in space and time in terms of cardinal directions (north, south, east and west). When they face north, they lay out the progression of time from right to left; however, when they face east, they perceive time as moving towards them. Ultimately, it comes down to the fact that Pormpuraawans normally think of time as moving from east to west, mimicking the sun’s journey in the sky.

Those who speak languages that depend on absolute di­rections also demonstrate a remarkable ability to orient themselves, even in unfamiliar surroundings. The demands of their lan­guages oblige them to hone this particular cognitive skill.

Language also influences how people describe events and, consequently, how well they are able to recall who did what. Eng­lish speakers have a tendency to frame events in terms of people doing things, showing a preference for transitive constructions like “Tom broke the glass,” even in the case of accidents. In con­trast, there’s a lower probability that Japanese or Spanish speakers will mention the agent when talking about an ac­cidental event. A Spanish speaker might say, “Se rompió el vaso,” which translates to “the glass broke” or “the glass broke itself,” a construction that removes blame from the agent. In a study performed at Stanford, after viewing clips of people spilling drinks or breaking items, the Japanese and Spanish speakers demonstrated a decreased ability to remember who caused accidental events, as compared to the English speakers. Thus, lin­guistic differences have an impact on how people interpret events, and they have important consequences for eyewitness memory.

This research highlights just how complex the interaction between culture, language and cognition truly is—yet one more reason why competent professional translators are indispensable when it comes to communicating across cultures and languages.

Spanglish Spoken Here

Spanglish, the love child born of the relationship between Spanish and English, features a rather inventive mix of the two languages. English words frequently get a “makeover” before being adopted by Spanglish users, with spelling often changed to loosely fit the rules of Spanish. Check out these examples of Spanglish at its finest.

  • Breakfast might get top billing as the most important meal of the day, but lonche [English: lunch; Spanish: almuerzo] doesn’t trail far behind. Just make sure you’ve picked up some grocerías [English: groceries/food; Spanish: alimentos/comida] at the marketa [English: market; Spanish: mercado], or you may go hungry.
  • Hey, do you want to go for a ride in my new troca [English: truck; Spanish: camioneta]?
  • I can’t find a spot that’s closer, so I’m just going to parkear [English: to park; Spanish: estacionar] here. We’ll have to walk a few bloques [English: blocks; Spanish: cuadras], but it’s good to get some fresh aigre [English: air; Spanish: aire].
  • I really need a haircut. I think I’ll head over to the barberchop [English: barbershop; Spanish: peluquería] later this afternoon.
  • I can’t stand my boss. I’m going to quitear [English: to quit; Spanish: renunciar] my job!
  • Someone was tochando [English: touching; Spanish: tocando] the escrin [English: screen; Spanish: pantalla]. It’s covered in fingerprints and smudges.

English Words that Take on Alter Egos in Spanish

As a non-native speaker of Spanish, it’s a given that certain words will occasionally throw me for a loop during the course of a conversation. What I don’t generally expect is that those words will be from my own language! A number of words such as chequear (to check) and frizar (to freeze) have passed seamlessly from English to the domain of Spanglish; however, the meanings of other words and phrases have morphed substantially, creating confusion among native English speakers.

Here’s a brief list of English words with alter egos in Spanish that I’ve encountered here in Argentina. Try to imagine the words being spoken with a Spanish accent to get the full effect.

un shopping…..a mall

zapping…..channel surfing

el living…..the living room

un lunch…..a buffet of hors d’oeuvres and finger foods/sandwiches

un tupper…..a Tupperware container or any plastic food storage container

un after office…..a happy hour

un ticket…..a receipt

un country..…a gated community

un jogging…..a pair of sweatpants, sweats or a tracksuit

tuning…..customization (usually in reference to cars)

un brushing…..a blow-out (hair)

un slip…..men’s bikini briefs

Have you ever been stumped by an English word or phrase that’s been adopted by the Spanish language?

The Meaning of ‘Piola’

Argentine Spanish is strewn with words and colorful phrases from Lunfardo, a rich vocabulary born on the streets ofBuenos Aires in the second half of the 19th century. Now considered a fixture of the Spanish language inArgentina (especially in and aroundBuenos Aires) andUruguay, linguists cite the use of Lunfardo as a defining characteristic of the Rioplatense dialect. Add a dash of Argentine flavor to your Spanish vocabulary with the Transpanish blog’s ongoing feature highlighting some of the most frequently used terms in Lunfardo.

In Lunfardo, the word “piola” takes on a number of meanings, but it generally refers to someone who is clever, crafty or astute. Piola can also be used to describe someone who’s nice or friendly, calm or relaxed in nature, or something that’s cool or great.

When piola is paired with the verb quedarse, the phrase takes the meaning “to be/stay/keep cool.” The phrase hacerse el piola is also used, an expression that means to pretend to be/make like one is clever.

Related words in Lunfardo:

noun piolada: 1 cleverness 2 a case where one personally benefits from a situation without considering how others will be affected

Usage example: Mi amigo es muy piola. Seguro que te va a dar buenos consejos. // My friend is quite clever. Surely he’ll give you good advice.

The 1975 song Patente de piola by Eladia Blázquez features the word “piola” in the title and lyrics.

PATENTE DE PIOLA

La gente hace rato, no quiere más lola,
Con los avivados llamados los piolas
Y ni por asomo entres en su ley,
Porque de los plomos el piola es el rey.

Cuidado muchachos con tanta ranada,
Porque no nos hace ninguna gauchada
Y eso que parece risueño y pueril,
Puede ser a veces patente de gil.

El que nada en la piolada,
Vos sabés, se puede ahogar
En la clásica bobada de faltar
O de sobrar,

Pero para el porteño flor,
Es un loco berretín,
Un glorioso antecedente
De ocurrente y de pillín.

En la maratón del piola nadie cola quiere ser,
En el ranking del canchero, él primero y vos después.
Yo no se quién lo embarcó en la estupidez genial
La que él piensa que es señor, cuando es un chanta nacional.

Que aunque nadie le dé bola, él es piola y nada más.

Que loca manía que tiene el porteño,
Cuanta fantasía, que inútil empeño,
Muestra complacido, en cada ocasión
Que está recibido de vivo y piolón.

Un candor ingenuo lo caracteriza,
Y aquel que lo juna, se mata de risa.
Vive pregonando que raja de más
Y lo ven jadeando llegar siempre atrás.

El que nada en la piolada, vos sabés, se puede ahogar,
En la clásica bobada de faltar o de sobrar,

Pero para el porteño flor,
Es un loco berretín,
Un glorioso antecedente
De ocurrente y de pillín.

En la maratón del piola nadie cola quiere ser,
En el ranking del canchero, él primero y vos después.
Yo no se quién lo embarcó en la estupidez genial
La que él piensa que es señor, cuando es un chanta nacional.

Que aunque nadie le dé bola, él es piola y nada más.

The Ethics of Translation

Just as professionals such as doctors and lawyers occasionally grapple with ethics, translators and interpreters will likely face a range of ethical dilemmas in the practice of their profession. Certain countries have established codes of conduct that set out guidelines for issues such as quality standards, impartiality, and confidentiality; however, the truly difficult decisions arise when linguists are asked to translate a text that clashes with their personal ethical standards.

Consider these situations:

  • A translator is asked to translate the election platform of a political party whose views the translator vehemently opposes.
  • A translator with pro-life values is assigned a translation project involving educational materials about abortion.
  • A translator firmly against animal cruelty is presented with advertising copy for a company operating in the fur industry.
  • A translator opposed to the business practices of XYZ Corporation is asked to translate information about one of the company’s product lines.

The role of a translator is to objectively render the message provided in the source language into the target language. Ideally, linguists detach themselves from the topic in order to achieve the highest degree of objectivity when reproducing the message. A translator should be able to produce a sound translation even when his or her views come in conflict with those expressed in the text; however, if the source text tackles an issue that the translator feels so strongly about that it precludes his or her ability to remain detached and professional, then the translator should turn down the project.

In addition, it’s important to remember that many subjects are distasteful or unpleasant (e.g. reports of human rights violations), yet information concerning these topics is often needed to help combat horrific practices, investigate crimes, etc. Translators must evaluate not only the topic of the translation but also its end use.

Virtually all professional translators draw the line at translating texts that describe illegal activity, but when the topic of the translation falls into an ethical gray area, the decision to accept or reject the project on moral grounds ultimately rests with the translator. With that said, individuals who rely on translation to put food on the table may be slightly more open-minded than those who can afford to turn down unsavory projects thanks to other sources of income.

All freelancers have the right to choose which projects they take on. If they do turn down a translation, they don’t necessarily owe the client an explanation; nonetheless, it can be helpful to let the client know the reason for the rejection. In many cases, the client/agency will be understanding and supportive; however, translators should be aware that by turning down a project, they run the risk of losing the client.

If objectionable themes are likely to arise with a particular client, translators should consider adding a clause to their contract with that client, outlining the subjects the translator refuses to handle for ethical reasons. Another idea is to draw up a statement of principles, which summarizes the types of texts the translator will not accept on moral grounds. This statement may be sent to translation agencies or direct clients looking to engage the translator’s services so that his or her limits are clear from the very beginning.