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Watch the video --> How language shapes the way we think

In Pormpuraaw, a young girl effortlessly points north, while scholars worldwide struggle with the same task. This disparity hints at a profound connection between language and cognition.

Centuries ago, linguists like Sapir and Whorf proposed that languages shape thinking. Recent research confirms this, showing how languages profoundly influence perception and cognition.

Languages differ in their demands on speakers. For example, Kuuk Thaayorre speakers describe space using cardinal directions, fostering exceptional spatial awareness. This linguistic influence extends to concepts like time, where language dictates how events are perceived and remembered.

Moreover, language affects fundamental cognitive processes, from color perception to social attitudes. Bilingual individuals even exhibit shifts in biases based on the language they speak.

Language's influence reaches deep into thought itself, affecting tasks like distinguishing colors or counting objects. This suggests that language permeates nearly every aspect of human cognition.

In essence, the diversity of languages reflects unique cognitive toolkits shaped by cultural evolution. Understanding how language shapes thought unveils the essence of human cognition and the richness of linguistic diversity.

source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-language-shapes-thought/

Sashiko, a 300-year-old Japanese technique, is making a comeback for its simplicity and beauty. Originating from a need to repurpose textiles in rural Japan, it involves reinforcing fabrics with neat running stitches, creating quilted patterns known as boro. Today, sashiko's appeal extends globally, with workshops and social media showcasing its charm. With basic tools like sashiko thread and needles, anyone can try their hand at this craft. What makes sashiko special is its adaptability to various fabrics and stitching patterns, allowing for endless creativity. Modern practitioners like Atsushi Futatsuya add their own twist while honoring tradition. As sustainability gains importance, sashiko stands out for its eco-friendly ethos and timeless elegance, embodying the beauty of upcycling and preserving Japanese heritage.

source: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20231013-the-300-year-old-japanese-method-of-upcyling

ゴールデンウイーク中はどこかへお出かけをしたり、お友達と遊んだり、楽しい事が沢山ありそうですね。その日にあった事を、少しでもいいので英語で書いてみてはどうでしょうか。まだ文章が書けない年齢の生徒さんは、絵と一緒に英単語を書いてみる。文章が少しでも書ける生徒さんは一般動詞を使って簡単な文章を書いてみる、など、方法は様々です。英語に触れながら楽しい思いでを形に残しましょう！

During Golden Week in Japan, which typically occurs from the end of April to the beginning of May, there's a notable cultural difference compared to the Philippines in terms of how the holiday is observed and its significance in each society.

In Japan, Golden Week is one of the most important holiday periods of the year. It's characterized by a series of national holidays, including Showa Day (April 29), Constitution Memorial Day (May 3), Greenery Day (May 4), and Children's Day (May 5). Many Japanese people take advantage of this extended break to travel domestically or abroad, visit family, participate in cultural activities, or simply relax. It's a time when cities become quieter as people leave urban areas for vacation spots or return to their hometowns.

On the other hand, in the Philippines, there isn't a cultural equivalent to Japan's Golden Week. While the Philippines celebrates various holidays and festivals throughout the year, there isn't a concentrated period like Golden Week that sees a series of consecutive holidays with significant cultural and societal impact. Instead, holidays in the Philippines are dispersed across the calendar and often revolve around religious or historical events.

This cultural difference highlights the contrasting approaches to holidays and leisure time between Japan and the Philippines. In Japan, Golden Week is deeply ingrained in the national consciousness as a time for rest, recreation, and reflection, whereas in the Philippines, holidays are spread throughout the year and may not carry the same level of collective significance as Golden Week does in Japan.