Are Uncontacted Tribes Influenced by External Cultures?

[Mk]

Trapped in a jungle, would you rather have an illiterate tribesman that knows the thousand important ways to survive or a PHD in English Literature?

That's kind of what I was getting at—if some remote tribe in their history have ever needed to count to more than 20, and only have a word for "more than twenty," why does this mean it's their language's fault? The language evolved to their needs, not the other way around. Even if they are born equal, when their young brains are plastic and ready to learn, they are never introduced to concepts that don't exist there. Mathematics started because of the need to keep track of large numbers of things, like in economics and trade.

 

[Mk]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080529141344.htm
Here's another uncontacted tribes article: Logarithmic thinking

 

[Evo]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080529141344.htm
Here's another uncontacted tribes article: Logarithmic thinking

Very interesting MK I hope to get back to this soon (I've been swamped), I will move this to SS and perhaps Marcus and/or Arildno would like to join the discussion.

 

[ray b]

but if 75% die as a result of contact?
as that is the record with these uncontacted tribes
they simply don't have immunity to far too many common diseases
''contaminating other cultures" is not just ideas or morals

too bad we can't just let them be

 

[Alfi]

Sorry, the serious discussion is fine and asks some good questions but


all I keep thinking about is N!xau and his coke bottle. too funny.

 

[Evo]

Ok, back to the original topic of cultural influence on linguistics and vice versa.