Final answer:
The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, also known as linguistic relativity, suggests language shapes our cognition and perception of reality. It has implications for bilingual individuals, potentially influencing their worldview based on the languages they speak.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, at its core, suggests that the language we speak fundamentally shapes our experience of reality. This concept is also referred to as linguistic relativity. It posits that our worldview and cognition are heavily influenced by the structure and vocabulary of our language. For instance, studies have indicated that without a word like "ambivalent" in their vocabulary, individuals may not recognize or conceptualize the experience of having mixed feelings toward a subject.
Such findings lend support to the hypothesis, proposing that language does not merely reflect our experience of the world but actively constructs it. According to Sapir and Whorf, this cultural determination of reality involves unique words and expressions found in each language that reflect different cultural precepts and experiences. Diverse languages not only act as vehicles for communication but also as frameworks through which people perceive and interpret their world.
In the specific case of bilingual Japanese-American women, their ability to think and express themselves in both Japanese and English could lead to different ways of perceiving and interacting with the world, further endorsing the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. Cognitive processes, therefore, may differ in response to linguistic nuances inherent to the languages they speak.