Alien Linguistics — The Science of Arrival

Can language change the way you think? This is the question at the heart of Arrival—the story of a linguist meeting alien life for the first time. As a linguist, I love this movie! It raises a ton of fascinating questions about language, culture, biology, and the mind. Let’s talk about the (cognitive) science of Arrival! Chapters 0:00 - First contact (skit) 0:25 - The science of Arrival 2:11 - Universal structure 5:45 - Decoding alien speech 7:14 - Visual language 9:13 - The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis 11:17 - Space and time 13:29 - The power of writing 15:21 - Mental timelines 17:46 - Language and the mind 19:43 - Parting thoughts Links: Alien Speak: Linguist Dr. Jessica Coon on Villeneuve’s ARRIVAL: Researcher Spotlight – Professor Jessica Coon: Jessica Coon (Mesoamerican freerelatives): The Code Behind Arrival (Wolfram): The art of Martine Bertrand: Sources: Andreas et al. (2022). Toward understanding the communication in sperm whales. Beguš et al. (2023). Vowels and diphthongs in sperm whales. Bode et al. (2016). Left–right position in moving images: An analysis of face orientation, face position, and movement direction in eight action films. Boroditsky (2001). Does language shape thought?: Mandarin and English speakers’ conceptions of time. Casasanto & Bottini (2014). Mirror reading can reverse the flow of time. Coon (2020). The linguistics of Arrival: Heptapods, field linguistics, and Universal Grammar. Guida et al. (2018). Spatialization in working memory is related to literacy and reading direction: Culture “literarily” directs our thoughts. Pérez González (2012). Lateral organisation in nineteenth-century studio photographs is influenced by the direction of writing: A comparison of Iranian and Spanish photographs. Pitt & Casasanto (2020). The correlations in experience principle: How culture shapes concepts of time and number. Pitt et al. (2021). Spatial concepts of number, size, and time in an indigenous culture. Rill (2017). The morphology and syntax of ergativity: A typological approach. (p. 32)