Linguistic Relativity and Economic Outcomes
How Language Influences Thought and Behaviour of Individuals
von Florian Rottner
Datum der mündl. Prüfung:2022-05-06
Erschienen:2022-06-03
Betreuer:Prof. Dr. Robert Schwager
Gutachter:Prof. Dr. Robert Schwager
Gutachter:Prof. Dr. Thushyanthan Baskaran
Gutachter:Prof. Dr. Michael Wolff
Dateien
Name:Rottner_Thesis_Innenteil.pdf
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Format:PDF
Zusammenfassung
Englisch
Research by linguists, psychologists and cognitive scientists has shown that the grammatical and lexical structures of languages affect human cognition. This hypothesis of linguistic relativity has been taken up by economists who began to study the impact of language structures on economic outcomes and people’s beliefs. In this thesis, I empirically investigate how differences in language structure influence economic outcomes and people’s beliefs, thereby contributing to the growing body of economic literature about linguistic relativity and its effects. In the three main chapters of this thesis, I study the effects of three different language structures; i) how the differences in the grammatical marking of future events in languages influence the future-orientation of companies (Chapter 2), ii) the difference in the distinction of politeness groups in second person pronouns of languages and their effect on the attitude of individuals towards foreigners (Chapter 3) and iii) how the gender system of a language influences norms about the role of women in family and work life in a society and labour market outcomes for women (Chapter 4). Overall, this thesis provides further evidence that differences in the structure of languages not only affect human perception, but also have an impact on people’s beliefs and economic outcomes. The grammatical marking of future events in the language of board members influences how future-oriented a company acts (Chapter 2). The distinction of at least two politeness groups in second person pronouns reduces the trust individuals put into foreigners (Chapter 3). A gender system based on biological sex reinforces the belief in the traditional role of women in family and working life and also has a negative impact on women’s labour market outcomes (Chapter 4).
Keywords: Language Structure; Future Tense; Research and Development Activities; Immigration; Language; Linguistic Relativity; Attitudes; Labour Force Participation; Gender System; Politeness Distinction; Gender Roles