Steven Pinker: What our language habits reveal

Understanding Language and Its Evolution

The Role of the French Academy

• Maurice Druon, the Honorary Perpetual Secretary of L'Academie francaise, represents the French Academy's role in legislating correct usage of the French language.

• The Academy is currently compiling its ninth edition of an official dictionary, which began in 1930 and has only reached the letter P.

• They also legislate terms for modern concepts; for example, "email" should be referred to as "courriel," but these recommendations are often ignored by the public.

Language as a Human Construct

• Language emerges from human interaction rather than being strictly legislated by academies; it constantly evolves with slang, jargon, and dialect divergence.

• The speaker aims to explore how language reflects aspects of human nature, including cognition and social relationships.

Technical Challenges in Language Use

• A significant issue in language learning is determining which verbs fit into specific constructions; verbs serve as the framework for sentences.

• Intransitive verbs (e.g., "dine") cannot take direct objects while transitive verbs (e.g., "devour") require them. This distinction shapes sentence structure.

Verb Constructions and Their Implications

• English allows certain verbs to appear in multiple constructions (e.g., “Give a muffin to a mouse” vs. “Give a mouse a muffin”), leading to potential generalizations about verb usage.

• However, there are exceptions that reveal subtle differences in meaning between constructions that must be understood for proper language use.

Cognitive Insights on Verb Usage

• Understanding verb constructions involves recognizing whether they imply motion or possession changes; this affects how we conceptualize actions linguistically.

Understanding Human Thought and Language

Fundamental Concepts in Language

• The discussion begins with the idea that fundamental concepts such as space, time, causation, and human intention are universal across languages. These concepts echo Immanuel Kant's categories that form the framework for human thought.

• The unconscious use of language reflects these Kantian categories, focusing less on perceptual qualities like color or texture and more on abstract constructs.

Metaphorical Language Use

• English constructions serve not only literal purposes but also metaphorical ones. For instance, the dative construction is used to convey both physical transfer and metaphorical transfer of ideas.

• Communication is conceptualized through metaphors where ideas are seen as objects contained within sentences. Phrases like "gather our ideas" illustrate this container metaphor.

Abstract Language and Concrete Metaphors

• Abstract language often relies on concrete metaphors; for example, using "go" to describe changes in health or time illustrates how we conceptualize non-spatial events spatially.

• The verb "force" exemplifies dual meanings—physical force versus interpersonal influence—highlighting how language can represent complex interactions.

Dual Conceptualization in Human Thought

• The ability to view events from multiple perspectives (e.g., "causing someone to have something") is a key feature of human cognition that underpins much argumentation.

• Examples such as differing interpretations of abortion or military actions show how language shapes our understanding of facts based on perspective rather than objective reality.

Evolutionary Perspective on Intelligence

• Human intelligence may be viewed as a repertoire of concepts useful for social interaction, evolving from practical experiences with tangible objects to abstract domains like mathematics and law.

• This evolution allows humans to apply foundational concepts (space, time, force) to new contexts through metaphorical abstraction.

The Nature of Human Relationships Through Language

Indirect Speech Acts

• The speaker introduces indirect speech acts by referencing a scene from "Fargo," illustrating how veiled communication often conveys clear intentions understood by both parties involved.

Types of Relationships in Communication

• Alan Fiske's taxonomy categorizes relationships into four types: communality ("what's mine is thine"), dominance ("don't mess with me"), reciprocity ("you scratch my back"), and sexuality ("let's do it").

Negotiating Relationship Types

Understanding Social Relationships and Language

The Concept of Communality in Relationships

• Communality is most evident within family or friends but can be extended to groups not typically inclined to share, such as fraternal organizations.

• Attempts to foster a "family of man" mentality can lead to mismatches in relationship expectations, causing awkwardness when individuals assume different relational contexts.

Awkward Situations Arising from Relationship Mismatches

• Examples of awkwardness include taking food from a boss's plate or a guest offering payment for a meal after dining.

• Workplace dynamics often create tension regarding socializing with superiors or using first names, highlighting the complexities of professional relationships.

Navigating Transitions in Relationships

• Transitioning from friendship to romantic involvement can lead to awkwardness, as can sexual relationships in the workplace, which may result in accusations of harassment.

Language as a Tool for Relationship Management

• Language serves dual purposes: conveying content and negotiating relational dynamics. This involves both literal communication and implied meanings that shape interactions.

• Polite requests often use conditional phrasing (e.g., "if you could...") to avoid asserting dominance while still expressing desires.

Indirect Communication and Its Implications

• Indirect language allows for plausible deniability in various situations, including bribes and solicitations, enabling more nuanced social interactions.

• A game-theoretic approach illustrates how indirect communication can mitigate risks associated with direct statements, particularly in high-stakes scenarios like bribery.

The Value of Vagueness in Language

• Vagueness is not merely an imperfection but rather a strategic feature that facilitates complex social interactions by allowing flexibility in interpretation.

• Diplomats have long recognized the advantages of ambiguous language; it enables them to navigate sensitive discussions without committing explicitly.

Conclusion on Language and Human Interaction