Introduction
Languages are structured in a manner in which they can influence the way in which people think, not only how they think. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis supports the notion that an individual’s native language plays a significant role in how they think. People who speak different languages perceive the world differently (Xu et al., 2016, para.1). With that said, it is important to note that when discussing the perception of time through languages, they can be described either as futured or futureless. Futured languages (English and French) can be described as languages that contain grammatical frameworks for referring to the future. In contrast, futureless (German) languages use the same grammatical tense for the present and the future (Ayres et al., 2023, p.1).
Role of futureless languages play a role in the perception of time
Weak Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis (Relativism)
The relativist version of the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis assumes that language has a weaker effect on the thought process of an individual and only influences but does not determine the thought process of an individual(Kasap et al., 2020, p.48). This weaker version of the hypothesis further asserts that an individual’s thought is a number of factors and language influences; process is one of these factors(Kasap et al., 2020, p.48). This, therefore, means that native speakers of futureless languages are more likely to have a fluid perception of time as a concept of time
Strong Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis (Determinism)
The deterministic view assumes that language has a strong role in determining thought processes (Rusiyanadi, n.d, p.8). This, therefore, means that when a language lacks a framework for referring to future tense, it has the following effect. Native speakers of the language often find themselves viewing the future to be much closer to the present tense. This is because there is a blurring of the distinction between the present and the future.
Studies
“Languages and future-oriented economic behavior—Experimental evidence for causal effects.”
In a study by Ayres et al., 2023 titled “Languages and future-oriented economic behavior—Experimental evidence for causal effects,” when language is viewed from a deterministic point of view, there are a number of implications on time perception that futureless languages could have on its speakers. The purpose of this study was to establish whether language affects the attitudes and behaviors of its speakers. The participants were tested on two main measures, which are delayed gratification and discounting future rewards. Results from the studies depicted that individuals who are speakers of futured languages tend to more likely engage in discounting on their future as well as delayed gratification. These results are significant because there is support for the deterministic nature of language.
“Language Shapes People’s Time Perspective and Support for Future-Oriented Policies”
In “Language Shapes People’s Time Perspective and Support for Future-Oriented Policies” by Perez and Tavits (2017), the purpose is to ascertain whether the language spoken by an individual plays a role in the endorsement of future-oriented political agendas. The study was conducted by surveys in strong and weak time reference language-speaking nations to assess their endorsement of future political policies. The results depicted that there was a strong relationship between certain featured languages and endorsement of future politics. However, the results were only consistent in some futured languages. This study is significant because it highlights the relativist view on language. This is because there is an attribution of other factors like environment and education to the thought process of an individual.
“Cross-cultural implications of linguistic future time reference and institutional uncertainty on social entrepreneurship”
In this study by Hechavarría et al.(2023), the purpose was to determine how language institutions influence social entrepreneurship. In this study, there is an assessment of the impact of Future Time Reference (FTR) in language and the role of institutional environments, particularly the interplay between FTR and institutional uncertainty. The key findings from this study were that language plays a key role as a cognitive infrastructure and has a small impact on the direction of social entrepreneurship. This study is significant because it underscores the intricate relationship between language, individual cognition, and external institutions. This study views language from a relativist approach.
Now is the time: The effects of linguistic time reference and national time orientation on innovative new ventures
In this study by Tang et al. (2021), the authors aim to establish whether institutions with strong future time references are able to embrace innovation. The study was conducted through scenario-based experiments to establish a relationship between future time reference and innovative venture creation. Results of the study revealed that future time reference has a positive correlation with the establishment of innovative entrepreneurial ventures. This study is significant because it depicts the deterministic role that language has on the behavior and thought processes of individuals.
Conclusion
These studies depict the relationship between language and future-oriented behavior, highlighting both deterministic and relativist viewpoints. Determinists view proponents have defended their stance by demonstrating that futured languages tend to discount future rewards, prefer immediate gratification and also engage in innovative new venture creation. Relativist views, on the other hand, received support from studies that acknowledge languages work in concert with other factors like environment and education to develop the thought process of an individual.
References
Ayres, I., Katz, T. K., & Regev, T. (2023). Languages and future-oriented economic behavior—Experimental evidence for causal effects. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120(7), e2208871120., I., Katz, T. K., & Regev, T. (2023). Languages and future-oriented economic behavior—Experimental evidence for causal effects. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120(7), e2208871120.
Tang, J., Yang, J., Ye, W., & Khan, S. A. (2021). Now is the time: The effects of linguistic time reference and national time orientation on innovative new ventures—Journal of Business Venturing, 36(5), 106142.
Hechavarría, D. M., Brieger, S. A., Levasseur, L., & Terjesen, S. A. (2023). Cross‐cultural implications of linguistic future time reference and institutional uncertainty on social entrepreneurship. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 17(1), 61-94.
Kasap, S., & Yuzuncu, V. (2020). Metalinguistics: Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis. In Academic Developments on Social Linguistics. https://www.insackongre.com/_files/ugd/e42d97_433cff6fc9334867a0314277fd9225bc.pdf#page=45
Pérez, E. O., & Tavits, M. (2017). Language shapes people’s time perspective and support for future‐oriented policies. American Journal of Political Science, 61(3), 715-727.
Rusiyanadi, N. T.(nd) What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?
Xu, Y., Austerely, J. L., Griffiths, T. L., Regier, T., & Cibelli, E. (2016). The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis and Probabilistic Inference: Evidence from the Domain of Color. PLOS ONE, 11(7), e0158725–e0158725. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0158725
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