Final answer:
Berlin and Kay's study found a universal sequence in the development of color terminology across cultures and suggested that language can influence color perception, supporting both linguistic universals and linguistic relativity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Berlin and Kay's 1969 cross-cultural study of color terms demonstrated that there is a universal progression in the way cultures across the world develop language for colors. Starting with the distinction between black and white, cultures add terms in a specific order: first red, then green and yellow, followed by blue, brown, and finally other colors such as purple, pink, orange, and gray. Their research also found that while some cultures have many color terms, others may have as few as two or three, yet this does not necessarily limit the ability of individuals within these cultures to perceive and distinguish colors.
The interplay between language and perception is further evidenced by a study where English speakers and Dani people from Papua New Guinea showed similar abilities to distinguish colors, despite the Dani having only two color words. This paradox supports the ideas of both linguistic universals and linguistic relativity, suggesting that while there might be a common progression in color term development, the specific language we speak can influence our perception of the environment.