How Language Shapes the Way We Think | Lera Boroditsky | TED (Level 1)

Humans speak about 7,000 different languages. A big question is: Does our language change how we think? Scientists now say the answer is yes. For example, some people in Australia do not use words like "left" or "right." They only use "north," "south," "east," and "west." Because of this, they always know their direction perfectly. This shows that their language helps them understand space. Language also changes how we see color. Russian has separate words for light blue and dark blue. Tests show that Russian speakers can see the difference between these colors faster than English speakers. Grammar matters too. In English, we say, "He broke the vase." In Spanish, people often say, "The vase broke." This changes how we blame people for accidents. Language is powerful because it shapes our minds and our reality.