The Essential Diversity Mindset by Soo Bong Peer

Author:Soo Bong Peer
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781632657466
Publisher: Red Wheel Weiser

The Universal Language

People frequently ask me, “What language do you dream in?” It's a question I cannot answer definitively. It may seem logical that my primary language is the one I'd most likely dream in. However, I switched my primary language from Korean, my native tongue and the first language I ever acquired, to English, which I have been speaking for more than fifty years. At this point, my English is better than my Korean.

Once we start learning new languages, the way we think and see the world starts to shift as well. The idea that thoughts and language are intertwined can be understood through the Sapir-Whorf Linguistic Relativity hypothesis. It proposes that the language one speaks reflects and shapes the way one thinks and behaves in a particular culture and that people from different languages and cultures may see the world differently due to linguistic differences.1 I experienced firsthand the intimately interwoven relationship between language, culture, and way of thinking, having gone through the process of learning other tongues.

So what language do I dream in? According to my husband, in my dreams, I speak in both English and Korean. Honestly, I don't know. Sometimes, I remember a few words, but it's blurred if they were in Korean or English. I have thought long and hard, trying to figure this out. Is this because I forget dreams the moment I wake up? No. I recall my dreams often and even quite vividly.

The truth is that I do not recall the language from my dreams, but rather thoughts, images, and feelings. In dreams, language rarely plays a factor; what does matter is the way I feel, for that is what I remember most: fear, excitement, anxiety, sadness, joy, or countless other emotions are what I take away, not words. The same can be said for memories and previous life experience. Think about it. Recall your favorite childhood memory or event, perhaps listening to a great speaker or learning from your favorite teacher. From that memory, do you recall the words that were spoken verbatim or do you recall the emotion and wisdom in which those words were expressed and the way that person made you feel? My guess is that it's the latter.

While the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis may help explain the differences between cultures and people that are influenced by the spoken language, the link between language and thought are complicated and nebulous.2 Despite this inherent complexity, I believe there is one universal language—a form of communication that transcends languages and cultures. By no means am I an expert or linguistic authority; nonetheless, I believe that our thoughts and feelings can be conveyed and shared universally, no matter what culture one is from or with whom they interact. While I certainly remember words and phrases, I don't define my personal encounters through words but rather through our shared feelings and connections. Think about the feelings you may get from the loving hugs of your parents, loved ones, or close friends; exchanged smiles with strangers; or the emotions provoked from beautiful music or a sad movie.

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