This reminds me of another recent story, about a language that doesn't use left or right, but uses compass directions. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/magazi

This reminds me of another recent story, about a language that doesn't use left or right, but uses compass directions. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/magazine/29language-t.html http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/magazine/29language-t.html Imagine yourself saying the fork is east of the plate, for example. It requires a different kind of mental map, and knowing what direction you're facing. And everyone does this, it's part of the culture. Part of the language. Makes me wonder if they have the same jokes about how men don't ask for directions and women can't read a map in that language.