Approaches to defining the interaction of language and culture: an analysis of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis

Бровко, Катерина Андріївна and Дячок, Надія Валентинівна and Курнилович, Марина Олегівна (2025) Approaches to defining the interaction of language and culture: an analysis of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis Folium (7). pp. 75-79. ISSN 2786-8001

Text K_Brovko_N_Diachok_M_Kurnylovych_F_7_FRGP.pdf Download (1MB)

Abstract

The article addresses the problem of analyzing major approaches to studying the interaction between language and culture within the framework of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. It presents theoretical principles and conclusions put forward by several international researchers in this context. The fundamental postulates of linguistic relativity are outlined, namely: language influences thought, while cognitive processes are shaped not only by linguistic categories but also by traditions and certain forms of non-verbal behavior; language determines thought, and thus linguistic categories constrain and define cognitive categories. Examples are provided that illustrate the interaction between language and culture through Ukrainian, English, and German. The analysis demonstrates that these examples reveal how each culture conveys its values, beliefs, and unique worldview through language. The findings confirm that cognitive abilities of speakers differ significantly due to the use of distinct learning strategies; speakers of different languages conceptualize space and time in diverse ways (spatial and temporal orientation) and also categorize phenomena differently (color segmentation, perception of form, and recognition of causal relationships).Particular attention is given to key dimensions of how language shapes culture, including the transmission of traditions and knowledge; the formation of worldviews; the construction of identity and social cohesion; moral and ethical orientation; the expression of emotions and feelings; as well as cultural codes and symbols. The analysis reveals that language, through its lexical inventory, grammatical structures, and morphological and syntactic features, encodes our worldview. Accordingly, individuals act toward the world in line with how they perceive it through their language.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Sapir-Whorf hypothesis; language; culture; lexeme
Subjects:	Статті у базах даних > Index Copernicus Статті у періодичних виданнях > Фахові (входять до переліку фахових, затверджений МОН)
Divisions:	Факультет романо-германської філології > Кафедра англійської мови та комунікації
Depositing User:	Катерина Андріївна Бровко
Date Deposited:	04 Nov 2025 22:32
Last Modified:	04 Nov 2025 22:32
URI:	https://elibrary.kubg.edu.ua/id/eprint/53663

Actions (login required)

View Item