Sebastian Fedden|Lera Boroditsky
Spatialization of Time in Mian
University of Surrey|Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics|Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics|Palo Alto University|Stanford University
examine representations time among mianmin papua new guineawe begin describing patterns spatial temporal reference mianmian uses system spatial terms derive orientation direction hak sek rivers surrounding landscapewe report results temporal arrangement task administered group mian speakersthe results reveal evidence variety temporal representationssome participants arranged time respect bodies left right toward bodyothers arranged time laid landscape roughly along eastwest axis either east west west eastthis absolute pattern consistent axis motion sun orientation two rivers provides basis spatial reference mian languagethe results also suggest increase left right temporal representations increasing years formal education reverse pattern absolute spatial representations timethese results extend previous work spatial representations time new geographical region physical environment linguistic cultural system