Final answer:
The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, also known as linguistic relativity, is the idea that language shapes the thoughts and experiences of its speakers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The notion that language shapes the thought and experience of its speakers is known as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, or linguistic relativity. This concept suggests that the particular language we speak influences how we think about reality. It is based on the idea that people experience their world through their language, and that this experience is deeply rooted in the cultural meanings embedded in their language.
For example, different languages have various words for concepts like 'love' or 'time', implying that speakers of these languages may perceive or experience these concepts differently. In English, the number thirteen may be associated with bad luck, affecting behavior such as omitting the 13th floor in buildings. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is significant for understanding how learning a new language can also involve immersing oneself in the culture associated with that language.