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The Economic Times
The Economic Times
National
Rana Sarkar

Quote of the Day by Takeo Doi, the Japanese psychoanalyst behind ‘Amae’: ‘Every language is a vast pattern-system, different from…’ - how The Anatomy of Dependence author explained the hidden link between language and consciousness

Remember the 2016 science fiction film Arrival, where a linguist discovers that understanding an alien language does more than help humans communicate; it actually changes the way people perceive time and reality. The movie is built around a fascinating idea: the language we speak may shape not only our conversations but also our thoughts, memories, and the way we make sense of the world.

It is a concept that extends far beyond fiction. Have you ever wondered why two people can witness the same event yet walk away with completely different interpretations? The answer is not always intelligence, education, or life experience. Sometimes it lies in the words, expressions, and cultural ideas we absorb from childhood. The language we grow up speaking quietly teaches us what to notice, what to value, and even how to understand relationships and emotions.

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