A movie about the beauty of language
I chose to talk about a film because I think that cinema can invite people to think about the world. Today I decided to talk about the movie “Arrival”. This movie tells the story of a renowned professor in linguistics who is called by the army when a strange ship arrives on earth. Thus, this woman fights in a world of men to be allowed to enter in contact with the living beings that seem to be in this ship. For her, it is essential to communicate with them but she is running out of time since the nations are already preparing an attack. In this apocalyptic atmosphere, this researcher is going to make an incredible meeting which will radically change her life.
The theme of this movie found its origin in the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis which assumes that language can modify our mental representations. Therefore, some researchers speak of a linguistic relativity and believe that our culture and the languages we speak can impact our way of thinking. In 1954, Brown & Lenneberg have tried to demonstrate this idea. Thus, their experience has shown that the languages we speak can modify the way we perceive colours.
However, this movie stills science fiction and obviously learning another language will not radically change your view of the world or even the way you perceive things overnight.
For me, this film shows above all that more than sea difference has a threat, we should take it as an opportunity to learn. Indeed, I believe that every new encounter allows us to learn about ourselves, about the other but also about the world. Moreover, in an increasingly individualistic society, I think this movie wants to remind us that getting in touch with others can lead to some very good surprises and incredible encounters.
Also, this movie shows the importance of communication. As future psychologists I think we know more than anyone the importance of trying to understand what the other feels and wants the best we can. In this way, what the linguist does in this movie recalls the psychologist’s job. In fact, it is our duty to foster communication between people and to try to ease conflict by somehow translating what every person means.
In the end, this film can convey many messages, again depending on how you look at it. So I invite you to watch it and make your own interpretation.