How does the Saphir-Whorf Hypothesis relate to intercultural communication?
The Saphir-Whorf Hypothesis is related to intercultural communication. According to the Saphir-Whorf Hypothesis, language can create an impact on people’s perception. Through our language, we can see things or the world differently. Through language, an individual can structure his thoughts and depict the different sense of the world. Interestingly, it is aligned with intercultural communication because it streamlines the language in a particular culture. In a particular culture, people speak different languages and perceive different things. However, these things or perceptions are certain in the culture. It can be said the Saphir-Whorf Hypothesis depicts the role of the language in the cultural formation (Jandt, 2012).
It has been observed that people encode messages differently. The language style and flow are not the same in every culture. If an individual understands the meaning in a particular culture, the meaning can be different in other cultures. Norms, traditions, customers and many other cultural traits can be demonstrated, communicated or practiced through the language, and it is one of the prominent factors that engage intercultural communication with the Saphir-Whorf Hypothesis.
Communication patterns in the culture are reflected by this hypothesis. Interestingly, with a different language, the execution of norms, customs, and traditions are tough or almost impossible. Intercultural communication needs strong language patterns, and it is also reflected in the hypothesis. In countries, people have to learn the language to live with nature. The relationship is to be built through effective communication. We have to perceive what native people perceive to create strong bonding. Saphir-Whorf Hypothesis focuses on the language, but it portrays the relations of the language with intercultural communication. Through navigating or understanding this hypothesis, it seems easy to understand intercultural communication (Jandt, 2012).
Reference
Jandt, F. E. (2012). An Introduction to Intercultural Communication: Identities in a Global Community. SAGE Publications.
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