Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id MAA14524 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Wed, 20 Feb 2002 12:50:16 GMT Message-ID: <2D1C159B783DD211808A006008062D3102A6D27D@inchna.stir.ac.uk> From: Vincent Campbell <v.p.campbell@stir.ac.uk> To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Subject: RE: Debate opens anew on language and its effect on cognition Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2002 12:41:27 -0000 X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" X-Filter-Info: UoS MailScan 0.1 [D 1] Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Very interesting, although I note that the article sidesteps the problem of
English in this gendered-language influencing thought idea. German has
three genders doesn't it- der, die, das; whereas its close associate English
has none ('the'). I didn't think, perhaps our Far Eastern experts can
confirm this, that languages like Japanese had terms equivalent to 'the'?
I think seeing differences in bridge design based on the gender of the term
is a bit specious to be honest. It's essentially a form of nominative
determinism (there's a more correct term for this, I forget what it is
though- recently in the New Scientist column 'Feedback' people have been
sending in people with names appropriate to their job- a carpenter on a TV
show last night was called Robin Wood, for example).
Does the wobbling millenium bridge in London reflect its confusion at having
no gender?
Still, interesting piece.
Vincent
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