Happiness has a Language

This week we will start with some questions for you, What makes languages peculiar? How about a language without numbers, colors, and verb tenses? Do you think such a language is possible? At first, it may be hard to imagine, and the answer may be a resounding "NO" or maybe some of you know the answer. For those who, like me, doubted it, the answer is that yes, there is a language with several peculiarities. For us, speakers with an established and well-defined structure would be a "rare" language and it will definitely be a language without such a specific structure as ours. Let's get to know "Pirahã" a little better. Let's get to know "Pirahã" a little better.

Pirahã is the name given to the tribe and the language, however, among themselves the name they call themselves is HÍATIIHI / XAPAITÍISO. In this language, we have several particularities. They emit words and also sounds, such as moans to tell secrets or whistles when they hunt and do not want to be detected. In their alphabet, they have only eleven letters, which consist of eight consonants and three vowels. This is an isolated language since it has no connection to any current language. Many very similar words can have completely different meanings, depending on the intonation. It is not considered an endangered language since it is their only language.

In their language, they do not have numbers. For colors, they only say them with references such as the unripe fruit, which for us would mean a "green" color. Nor verb tenses. They do not have cardinal points, since this aspect is also handled with references. Something that I consider curious is their family circle. Which does not have uncles, cousins, or grandparents, they do not exist as terms in the language nor as family, making the possibility of marrying any of the tribe more extensive. Since their close circles such as siblings, children, father, and mother are the only members identified as family members.

Having mentioned those particularities, this is the part where the title makes sense. They are known as the happiest people in the world, and it was found that most of the time they walk around with smiles on their faces. As they have no worries whatsoever. They are not thinking about what the future holds and are not tormented by the past. That means they live entirely in the present, and that's why they don't count words that identify those times. They are also not interested in money and the amount of it, the only two words they need are few and many. Luxuries, and technologies, do not occupy space in their minds. They have a lot of knowledge about the wildlife that surrounds them, so it is the only thing they need and serves them.

Is it a language that can be considered peculiar? What did you think of their philosophy of life? Would we be happy if we forgot everything?