Why You Should Treat People Like Dogs & Interesting Ways Language Changes

Word Evolution

David Shariatmadari explores how words evolve over time, often in surprising ways. He provides examples like "silly," which originally meant happy or blissful in the 12th century and evolved to mean innocent by the 16th century, before taking on its current meaning. Another example is "nice," which transitioned from meaning foolish to precise, and finally to its modern sense of pleasant 1. These shifts illustrate the dynamic nature of language and how mistakes can become standard usage, as seen with words like "apron," which used to be "napron" 2.

It's just so interesting to trace the journey of words across time and how they zigzag this way and that and develop in unexpected ways.

--- David Shariatmadari

   

Language and Thought

The language we speak can shape our thought processes and perceptions of the world. David discusses the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, which suggests that language influences thought and behavior. For instance, languages with gendered nouns, like German and Spanish, can affect how speakers perceive objects, associating them with masculine or feminine traits 3. This phenomenon highlights the subtle ways in which language can guide our thinking and cultural associations 4.

The language you speak determines the way you think, determines your way of being in the world.

--- David Shariatmadari