2 ms·
In English the term "before" literally means "in front of". So if you say "the time before today" you are (according to the same logic) actually referring to th
by goto11 7y ago
In English the term "before" literally means "in front of". So if you say "the time before today" you are (according to the same logic) actually referring to the past being in front of the present.
I'm also a bit skeptical of the conclusions drawn from these turns of phases. It seems a single language can have multiple inconsistent spatial metaphors in play at the same time. So I think it is a bit overblown to say a language "wires the brain" to think of time in a particular way.
- pbhjpbhj 7y agoYes, "the time before you" in en-gb is slightly poetic but could mean either the time in history up to the point where you existed, or it could be the time in the future that is yet to come.
- hrktb 7y agoConclusions are overblown(I guess it wouldn’t get wide appeal otherwise ?), but there is a kernel of truth in that the language at least introduces you to some visions of time you might not have. From there, not every speaker uses every aspect of any language, people pick and choose the metaphors that makes sense for them, or create and share new ones wholepiece. It reminds me of how tv broadcast handles late night time, and exposed me as a kid to lenient dates. It actualy had a long lasting impact I think.
- goto11 7y agoOh I absolutely agree that words and metaphors can shape the way we think about things. I'm just skeptical towards theories that couple this to languages as a whole.