Dupes of Non-Physical

Does your language affect your bank account?
February 7, 2012
12 Comments
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New research argues that the answer is yes. Depending on what language you speak,
you are more – or less – likely to save for retirement. Your primary tongue may even
affect how much you weigh.

In January, M. Keith Chen, an associate professor of economics at the School of
Management at Yale University, published a working paper on his research about the
effect of language on economic behavior. Chen zoomed in on one aspect of language:
how we deal with time.

Each language organizes and describes the future differently. Linguists call this distinction
future-time-reference (FTR, for short). Some languages, like German, have a weak-FTR,
which means that the distinction between today and tomorrow isn’t very concrete.

In his paper, Chen gives the example that in German, you can say, “It rains tomorrow”
whereas in English you have to say, “It will rain tomorrow.” English is a strong-FTR language
because there are clear, constant grammatical distinctions between today and tomorrow.

Analyzing retirement savings’ patterns, along with health habits, Chen found that people
who speak weak-FTR languages prepare more thoroughly for the future than people who
speak strong-FTR languages. In fact, weak-FTR countries save, on average, 6% more of their
GDP every year. They also smoke less, exercise more, and are less likely to be overweight.

Chen also analyzed the data accounting for variables like gender, age, and religion, to isolate
language as the primary factor. Even in these analyses, people who spoke weak-FTR languages
outperformed their strong-FTR peers.

Read Chen’s very academic and fascinating paper here.

This particular phenomenon is an example of linguistic relativity, or how languages affect how
we think. We’ve discussed before how language affects how you see colors and perceive the
world around you.

Further research along these lines hasn’t produced conclusive results, and linguists certainly have
qualms with these socio-cultural extrapolations. From your experience, do particular languages
seem to influence behavior, for better or worse? What are some examples? Share your thoughts
with us, below.

12 Comments

RAH on February 7, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Though effects of language on human behavior is an interesting topic, I did not find the paper
to be thorough enough to make this case. According to the paper most languages of the world
are “strong” FTR languages with the exception of some European and Malay etc. However the
data discussed is between European states only and Malaysia is not contrasted with India / Indonesia
and other countries of similar background/issues. I have long held the idea that language and its
script along with art and architecture affects the culture and values of a certain group of people,
however in this case more data needs to be presented to make the case.

Me on February 7, 2012 at 2:08 pm
I certainly “have qualms with these socio-economic extrapolations.” Past experiences, wealth,
circumstances (the context of one’s life and the resources are available to that person in his or
her life), personality, how people think, &c all may have an influence on how one saves money.

What about people who speak more than one (like me)? For example, I will be thinking in my native
language, and sometimes I just start to think in another (usually when I was thinking about the
non-native language and then stopped).

I also believe that culture has a big impact on the topic of this article. Many countries (that have
cultures that differ greatly) speak English for example.

Theo on February 7, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Although I think it is tricky to connect these trends to language alone, since they often accompany
other variables (culture, etc.), I find this to be very interesting.

Commenter on February 7, 2012 at 4:49 pm
That makes no sense.

James on February 7, 2012 at 4:55 pm
I find the correlation of language FTR and savings rates to be interesting but inconclusive. There
are spendthrifts and misers who speak every language. My intuition leads me to think that one’s financial
habits have more to do with upbringing and acquired skill at setting goals.

J-Wu33 on February 7, 2012 at 4:59 pm
I speak English. So does that mean I’ll really be worse off after I retire?
why do you want to know on February 7, 2012 at 5:34 pm

wait, so… what?

ashley on February 7, 2012 at 6:06 pm
Do you have to a specific foreign language so that can affect your bank account? Like for example
you have to speak German to get a certain job then you get chosen in this company and you get $250,000?

yoen on February 7, 2012 at 6:21 pm

Weak-FTR Japanese rules? Having only present and past tenses builds character? Awww, come on.
flalalala on February 7, 2012 at 6:26 pm

Yay! i take german as my high school language

sherrisse on February 7, 2012 at 6:28 pm
no sense

Kevin Martin on February 7, 2012 at 7:35 pm
Wow, I absolutely love this post. I didn’t know that one’s language could impact how he or she prepares
for the future. Great information!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o12q1I0KccY

I just can't let go of the fact that the Prince of Darkness isn't going to
manifest before the likes of me...

It was a great article Brad...