How would you proceed to decode and learn an alien language?

We consider that one aspect that needs to be defined first, is which referents we share with that
language, since for us to be able to communicate with someone who does not speak our language
and also learn it, we need to look for referents that we both understand, that is, if that alien language
has an oral and written language like ours, we would already have something in common to
communicate with each other.
From this, we would consider four points, which can be key to decode and learn an alien language.
1. The first thing would be to collect auditory and written or graphic information about this
language, in order to identify which linguistic and grammatical patterns could be similar to
ours.
2. The second would be to examine those linguistic patterns and grammatical structures that
we identify, to observe how words are formed and how they combine with other words to
make sentences in this language. Something important could also be to listen to what
sounds are repetitive in this language, to identify to which words they could belong.
3. The third thing would be to know its social and cultural context, since these aspects
influence the development of the civilization's language, therefore it is necessary to know
its history, technology, social structure, among others.
4. Finally, if we could interact with those who speak this alien language, it would be much
better to learn it, since the practice and interaction with another language are key to
understand and learn it.

What does this theory mean? Explain using an example.

(Hints : Think of the word ‘’snow’’ and the Inuit reality. Is there an equivalent for ‘’shallow’’ in
French? How would you translate ‘’tantôt’’ or ‘’justement’’ in English? Do you know what the
Spanish word ‘’embarazada’’ means?)

The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis or principle of linguistic relativity is a theory that explains that
language has a significant influence on how we perceive the world and how we think, which in turn
impacts our actions and behaviors, that is, languages determine the structure of the real world and
how we conceptualize and understand that reality. Furthermore, this structure is different from one
language to another.

An example of this theory that can be observed in the film is when Dr. Louise Bank is
communicating with the heptapods and at a given moment, she interprets that the aliens want to
'deliver weapons' which generates a reaction of panic and international crisis in the different
military forces that prepare to attack, since in our language, the word 'weapon' has a connotation of
danger. However, Louise understands that the word 'weapon' can also be interpreted as 'tool' and
that perhaps the heptapods did not distinguish between these two words 'weapon and tool', because
in their language it was different.

This leads us to conclude that as explained in the Sapir-Whorf theory, through language we humans
give an interpretation and conceptualization to the world and the things around us, so although for
the heptapods the word 'weapon' did not have a dangerous meaning, but the opposite, in our
language this word is perceived in another way. Towards the end of the movie, Louis understands
that these creatures want to give a gift to humanity: their own language, that is the weapon they
want to give.
 7. If we accept the idea that aliens exist and that they visit us one day, is this scenario
plausible?
Explain whether the humans' reaction in Arrival is realistic.

Currently, we know that there is no scientific evidence that actually confirms the existence of
extraterrestrial life. However, we consider that our planet cannot be the only one with a civilization
inhabiting it, since there are many other galaxies and planets in which there are surely other
societies that we do not yet know about.

In this way, the scenario presented to us in Arrival is plausible, since in our reality it could happen.
Regarding the reaction of humans in the movie, we think it is realistic because it shows a scenario
where humans show fear, confusion, curiosity, and at the same time collaboration in trying to
understand the intentions and communication of the alien visitors.

Nevertheless, this representation shows how for humans the idea of the unknown and the different
can generate a reaction of both fear and hostility, since as observed in the film, in the end humans
respond to the unknown in the manner of war.