Which theory suggests that language influences the way we perceive the world?

The theory that suggests language influences the way we perceive the world is known as linguistic relativity. This concept posits that the structure and vocabulary of a language can shape and limit the ways in which its speakers understand and conceptualize their experiences. For example, speakers of different languages may categorize time, colors, or spatial relationships differently based on the linguistic frameworks available to them. This means that the language one speaks can profoundly affect thought processes and perceptions, leading to variations in worldview between different linguistic groups.

By exploring the relationship between language, thought, and culture, linguistic relativity provides insight into not just communication but also cognitive frameworks, emphasizing how language can mold our understanding of reality.