Historical Mindsets

Abstract

In the same way as perception of the environment differs around the world today in very diverse cultures, some linguists have suggested that this differentiation can also be felt across time. Take the case of spatial orientation. Let us consider an example discussed by Lakoff (1987: 310). If we focus on the notion of ‘front’ from the point of view of the observer (as opposed to the inherent front of objects that have one, such as a car) and ignoring certain complications concerning who is the observer, ‘front’ is normally construed in English to be the side facing the observer. In the case of the African language, Hausa, however, ‘front’ is the side facing in the same direction as the observer. Either choice is compatible with human experience but the difference illustrates the fact that these two languages have quite a different perception of spatial orientation.