Language: Difference between revisions
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[[wikipedia:Language|Language]] is the form of [[wikipedia:Communication|communication]] preferred by humans. [[wikipedia:Animal_communication|Animals]] use a variety of sounds, gestures, and pheromones. [[wikipedia:Plant_communication|Plants]] use [[wikipedia:Mycorrhizal_network|mycorrhizal networks]]. [[wikipedia:Robot|Robots]] prefer binary. | |||
Language encodes [[information]] into symbols that can be transmitted between [[brains]]. | |||
== Fractal Geometry of Language == | == Fractal Geometry of Language == | ||
Language, like most other things in the [[universe]], is [[Allegory|like]] a [[fractal]]. | |||
=== Fractal Construction of Language === | |||
Language is a [[wikipedia:Holon_(philosophy)|holonic]], [[fractal]] construction, where each additional level of [[complexity]] is [[Emergent property|emergent]] from combining many elements of the one before. | Language is a [[wikipedia:Holon_(philosophy)|holonic]], [[fractal]] construction, where each additional level of [[complexity]] is [[Emergent property|emergent]] from combining many elements of the one before. | ||
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# [[metaculture]] | # [[metaculture]] | ||
== | === Fractal Personality of Language === | ||
[ | There has been many studies documenting the way that speaking different languages can alter your personality. [https://psyche.co/ideas/speaking-a-different-language-can-change-how-you-act-and-feel][https://olgakhazan.substack.com/p/how-speaking-different-languages][https://medium.com/illumination/my-personality-changes-in-different-languages-have-i-lost-it-586ee0a6ab44][https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/life-bilingual/201111/change-language-change-personality] | ||
This is due to the [[feedback loop]] caused by the interplay of language and [[cultural norms]], where each alters the other, [[evolving]] over time to have stronger expressions of some traits and diminished expressions of others. Some languages are fast and anxious. Some are slow and relaxed. Some are suave, others are sharp and precise. Some are boisterous, others subdued. Some are conformist, others individualistic. These traits are reflected in the cultures and personalities of the people that speak those languages. | |||
== Language | These expressions of [[cultural]] personality can be thought of as a unique [[fractal]] patterns, with language forming the [[generating equations]]. The pattern is encoded in the vocabulary, making certain [[concepts]] easy to express, and others impossible. It is also encoded in your personal vocabulary, with new infinite branching spiral arms unlocked by each new word you learn. | ||
== The Universal Language == | |||
English is the language of the Internet, and as a result is likely to become the de facto universal language of the future. Most education systems worldwide teach English as either a first or second language. In 1-2 generations you will rarely encounter someone who is unable to read and write in English, even if they rarely speak it. | |||
[[Science]] is a [[universal]] language because its [[evidence-based]] [[concepts]] are [[culturally independent]], allowing anyone to understand them regardless of their native language, [[culture]] or [[belief systems]]. [[Science]] doesn't depend on any particular set of [[cultural]] symbols or [[allegories]] to convey [[concepts]] accurately from one person to another. [[Mathematics]] is the common set of symbols, and 1+1=2 is true no matter what part of the world you come from. | |||
== Rebuilding the Tower of Babel == | == Rebuilding the Tower of Babel == | ||
The inability of our ancestors to maintain continuous communications with tribes that split off and settled faraway lands is the reason languages diverged and we stopped being able to understand each other. | The inability of our ancestors to maintain continuous [[communications]] with tribes that split off and settled faraway lands is the reason languages diverged and we stopped being able to understand each other. | ||
Modern communications networks are reversing this trend. Obscure local dialects are going extinct as more people have access to the common tongue and prefer its superior ability to be understood when traveling more than 100 kilometers from your birthplace. English is becoming a global second language, allowing anyone in the world to communicate with anyone else. | Modern communications networks are reversing this trend. Obscure local dialects are going extinct as more people have access to the common tongue and prefer its superior ability to be understood when traveling more than 100 kilometers from your birthplace. English is becoming a global second language, allowing anyone in the world to communicate with anyone else. | ||
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== Authoritarian Language == | == Authoritarian Language == | ||
[https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61439040-1984 Orwell's 1984] is the seminal work on the [[authoritarian]] use of language to subvert [[freedom]]. | [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61439040-1984 Orwell's 1984] is the seminal work on the [[authoritarian]] use of language to subvert [[freedom]]. Maintaining [[freedom]] means [[Education|educating]] each generation on the ways [[authoritarian]] leaders use language and the [[media]] to control the possibilities of thought, so they can reinforce [[social norms]] to reject [[authoritarianism]] every time it rears its ugly head. | ||
== Change Definition, Change the World == | |||
Words and definitions are encoded separately by our [[brains]], similar to the way [[wikipedia:Pointer_(computer_programming)|pointers and data are stored in computer memory]]. It provides a similar advantage, in that the pointer (word/[[concept]]) can be referenced in place of the data, so none of those references need to be updated when the data (definition/knowledge) changes. Changing the definition of a word changes how we see every [[concept]] that is associated with it. | |||
This means that it is much easier to redefine existing terms in order to promote a new understanding of the related concepts than it is to introduce a new term, especially if it is something deeply embedded in the [[culture]] like [[god]]. | |||
== Language is the TCP/IP of Brain Networking == | |||
[[wikipedia:Internet_protocol_suite|TCP/IP]] is the networking protocol behind the Internet. It facilitates structured communications between the different computers that make up the [[network]]. | |||
Language does the same thing for [[brains]], facilitating the creation of organic communication [[networks]]. | |||
Revision as of 16:36, 29 December 2024
Language is the form of communication preferred by humans. Animals use a variety of sounds, gestures, and pheromones. Plants use mycorrhizal networks. Robots prefer binary.
Language encodes information into symbols that can be transmitted between brains.
Fractal Geometry of Language
Language, like most other things in the universe, is like a fractal.
Fractal Construction of Language
Language is a holonic, fractal construction, where each additional level of complexity is emergent from combining many elements of the one before.
The progression goes:
Fractal Personality of Language
There has been many studies documenting the way that speaking different languages can alter your personality. [1][2][3][4]
This is due to the feedback loop caused by the interplay of language and cultural norms, where each alters the other, evolving over time to have stronger expressions of some traits and diminished expressions of others. Some languages are fast and anxious. Some are slow and relaxed. Some are suave, others are sharp and precise. Some are boisterous, others subdued. Some are conformist, others individualistic. These traits are reflected in the cultures and personalities of the people that speak those languages.
These expressions of cultural personality can be thought of as a unique fractal patterns, with language forming the generating equations. The pattern is encoded in the vocabulary, making certain concepts easy to express, and others impossible. It is also encoded in your personal vocabulary, with new infinite branching spiral arms unlocked by each new word you learn.
The Universal Language
English is the language of the Internet, and as a result is likely to become the de facto universal language of the future. Most education systems worldwide teach English as either a first or second language. In 1-2 generations you will rarely encounter someone who is unable to read and write in English, even if they rarely speak it.
Science is a universal language because its evidence-based concepts are culturally independent, allowing anyone to understand them regardless of their native language, culture or belief systems. Science doesn't depend on any particular set of cultural symbols or allegories to convey concepts accurately from one person to another. Mathematics is the common set of symbols, and 1+1=2 is true no matter what part of the world you come from.
Rebuilding the Tower of Babel
The inability of our ancestors to maintain continuous communications with tribes that split off and settled faraway lands is the reason languages diverged and we stopped being able to understand each other.
Modern communications networks are reversing this trend. Obscure local dialects are going extinct as more people have access to the common tongue and prefer its superior ability to be understood when traveling more than 100 kilometers from your birthplace. English is becoming a global second language, allowing anyone in the world to communicate with anyone else.
The Tower of Babel is being rebuilt.
Authoritarian Language
Orwell's 1984 is the seminal work on the authoritarian use of language to subvert freedom. Maintaining freedom means educating each generation on the ways authoritarian leaders use language and the media to control the possibilities of thought, so they can reinforce social norms to reject authoritarianism every time it rears its ugly head.
Change Definition, Change the World
Words and definitions are encoded separately by our brains, similar to the way pointers and data are stored in computer memory. It provides a similar advantage, in that the pointer (word/concept) can be referenced in place of the data, so none of those references need to be updated when the data (definition/knowledge) changes. Changing the definition of a word changes how we see every concept that is associated with it.
This means that it is much easier to redefine existing terms in order to promote a new understanding of the related concepts than it is to introduce a new term, especially if it is something deeply embedded in the culture like god.
Language is the TCP/IP of Brain Networking
TCP/IP is the networking protocol behind the Internet. It facilitates structured communications between the different computers that make up the network.
Language does the same thing for brains, facilitating the creation of organic communication networks.