I have heard the theory that languages dictate the way we think a number of times throughout my life, and I have always been extremely skeptical. Language is a way of communicating our thoughts; it is nonsensical to say that our thoughts are a way to inform language. After all, it is nonsensical to say that without language, we would have no thoughts.
Thankfully, I have also heard this theory discredited a few times before, and I am glad that Deutscher discredits it too. Of course, it is not hard to believe that language does have some influence on the way we view the world, and Deutscher shows that this is indeed the case. But I do think it is too simplistic to say that some of these characteristics, such as gendering objects, or viewing the world through absolute cardinal directions versus relative directions, are influenced solely by language itself. I think it is equally valid to say that these habits are simply ingrained in the culture to begin with, and the language simply reflects those traits.
Personally, I think the truth is somewhere in between, that both language and culture are intertwined, and not separate. These traits are as much part of the culture of its speakers as much as it is part of their language, and these traits both reinforce each other and evolve with each other. For example, a speaker of Guugu Yimithirr uses cardinal directions not just because it is enforced by their language, but because it is a part of their culture to do so, and it is reflected in their language. Of course, learning that language is how that way of thinking gets engrained in the speaker's mind.
Perhaps that's a pedantic nuance, but it seems to me significant enough to mention.
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