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temp | 3 years ago

>will make you view/perceive problems in a different way, so does learning a new natural language, given that it is different.

This as well as the initial statement you've made is controversial and generally frowned up by linguists.

We do not have any evidence that people perceive the world differently nor that it bears any relevance to how they view it. There were attempts at it, but the results are either not very convincing or are based upon farfetched conclusions.

>I can't explain how

Well yes, because it's a broad and unquantifiable claim as well as one that's not really supported by evidence.

As such I don't think it's fair and justifiable to say that learning Japanese changes the way you think. You're just adding additional unnecessary mystique to it.

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valenterry|3 years ago

I mean, this is my personal opinion and experience. Also, if you claim this is "frowned up by linguists" then a source would be appreciated.

> Well yes, because it's a broad and unquantifiable claim as well as one that's not really supported by evidence.

No. Imagine you never tasted ananas (pineapple) before in your life and now you taste it for the first time. Can you describe the flavour to someone who never tasted it, so that he can imagine the taste? Mind that I'm not taking about sweetness and acidity, just the distinct aroma.

I don't think you can. Does that mean it's just an "unquantifiable claim" that ananas has a distinct aroma? If so, even an "unquantifiable claim" can be helpful for others to understand.

Oh, and don't come with something like chemical analysis or so, since we can't really do that with the brain quite yet.