How Word Order Shapes Our Thoughts and Memory

Language connects people across cultures through its intricate patterns. Word arrangement, or syntax, differs among the world's 7,000 languages, creating unique structures that shape both communication and thinking. Research shows these syntactic differences influence cognitive processes beyond just language itself.  Notably, these structures affect how we recall and interpret sequential information. This intriguing relationship between language structure and memory mechanisms provides a fascinating lens through which to explore the ongoing debate about the connection between language and thought, a topic that has captivated linguists, psychologists, and philosophers for generations.

Languages can generally be classified according to the typical order of three key sentence components: Subject (S), Verb (V), and Object (O). This classification reveals interesting patterns across different languages. Much like musical compositions, each language group follows its own unique rhythm and structural harmony.

Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) Languages: The World’s Majority

SOV languages, which follow the sentence structure of "Maria drinks water" or "John has a house," make up the largest group of languages in the world, accounting for approximately 45% of all languages spoken. In these languages, the verb, often considered the engine of the sentence, appears at the end, resulting in what linguists call a "left-branching" structure. 

This syntactic order is found across various continents and cultures, and it is present in languages spoken by over a billion people:

• Europe: Basque (a language isolate in Northern Spain)

• Asia: Japanese, Korean, Turkish, Hindi-Urdu, Bengali, Persian, Tamil, Tibetan

• Americas: Navajo, Hopi, Quechua, Aymara

• Africa: Amharic, Tigrinya

Throughout history, languages such as Sanskrit and Classical Latin have frequently employed a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) structure. This arrangement contributed to their poetic traditions and allowed for complex sentence constructions, giving these languages a formal, rhythmic quality. These linguistic frameworks reflected sophisticated thought processes and likely enhanced cognitive clarity in communication.

In Japanese, for example, a simple sentence would be structured as:

Watashi-wa ringo-o tabemasu (“I apple eat”)

Listeners need to retain the subject and object in working memory until the verb, which is the critical action component, is finally presented. This requirement makes comprehension more demanding but potentially more cognitively enriching, especially in the context of sequential memory formation.

Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) Languages

SVO languages, exemplified by sentences like "Maria drinks water" and "John owns a house," represent about 42% of the world's languages. This word order feels intuitive and efficient for English speakers and the majority of speakers of European languages.

This right-branching structure is widespread across:

• Europe: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, Russian

• Asia: Mandarin Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Malay

• Africa: Swahili, Hausa

• Middle East: Modern spoken Arabic varieties, Hebrew

In Mandarin Chinese:

Wǒ chī píngguǒ (“I eat apple”)

The Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) word order is notable because it appears in many unrelated languages. This suggests that SVO might facilitate communication by placing the subject and verb at the beginning of a sentence, followed by the object. This structure reflects the importance that many cultures place on clear and straightforward communication. By emphasising these key components, the SVO order may enhance understanding and promote smoother conversations. Ultimately, this underscores our innate desire for effective communication.

Verb-Subject-Object (VSO) and Other "Rarities"

The remaining 13% of languages utilise alternative structures, which, while less common, add remarkable variety to the world's syntactic toolkit.

Verb-Subject-Object (VSO):

Examples like “Drinks Maria water” are common in:

• Classical Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic

• Celtic languages (Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh)

• Biblical Hebrew

• Tagalog (Filipino)

• Many Polynesian languages

In Welsh:

Gwelodd y dyn y cathod (“Saw the man the cats”)

Languages that use a Verb-Subject-Object (VSO) structure often develop in cultures with rich oral traditions. In these contexts, placing the verb at the beginning of a sentence highlights the importance of the action or event being described. This structure effectively centres the sentence on the dynamic nature of what is happening, reflecting the cultural value placed on storytelling and immediate experiences. By prioritising the verb, these languages emphasise the action itself, creating a strong connection between language and the cultural focus on narrative and action.

Other Rare Orders

• Verb-Object-Subject (VOS) – ~3% (e.g., Fijian, Malagasy, some Mayan languages)

• Object-Verb-Subject (OVS) – ~1% (e.g., Hixkaryana, spoken in Brazil)

• Object-Subject-Verb (OSV) – ~1% (e.g., Warao, spoken in Venezuela)

These structures challenge traditional cognitive sequencing norms, and their existence showcases the remarkable adaptability of the human brain to various communication styles.

The Hidden Architecture of Language

In addition to word order, languages vary in branching direction—specifically, how dependent phrases are arranged to the main word or clause.

Left-Branching Languages

In languages like Japanese, Korean, and Turkish:

• Modifiers precede the main word: “The who-was-sitting man”

• Possessives come before nouns: “John’s mother”

• Subordinate clauses precede the main clause

This structure encourages speakers to maintain contextual information throughout a sentence, which keeps listeners engaged until the end. Although it can be mentally challenging, it may improve memory for earlier parts of the sentence as listeners anticipate the conclusion. This dynamic interaction enhances attentiveness and deepens the understanding of the information being communicated.

Right-Branching Languages

Languages such as English, Italian, and Thai:

• Modifiers follow the main word: “The man who was sitting”

• The possessed noun precedes the possessor: “The mother of John”

Right-branching structures allow for more incremental processing, enabling comprehension to begin earlier in the sentence and potentially favouring memory for final items.

Language and Memory: The Cognitive Connection

In a groundbreaking study published in 2018 in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers explored the fascinating relationship between language branching direction and its effects on working memory. The study involved participants who were native speakers of left-branching languages, such as Japanese and Sidaama, and right-branching languages like Thai and Italian. The findings revealed a significant distinction in memory recall: individuals who spoke left-branching languages exhibited a superior ability to remember the initial items in sequential memory tasks, while those who spoke right-branching languages performed notably better in recalling final items. Intriguingly, this pattern was not limited to linguistic tasks but also to non-linguistic activities, including spatial reasoning and numerical sequencing tasks. This suggests a profound influence of language on cognitive processes, indicating that the structure of the language we use may "train" our cognitive skills and subtly shape how we process, prioritise, and retain information, extending beyond the words we express.

A note on Pangeanic’s NLP Work

At Pangeanic, our approach to translation goes beyond the simple act of swapping words from one language to another. We delve into the complexities of language through Natural Language Processing, striving to interpret the underlying structures, syntax, and subtle nuances that give each language its distinctive character. Our advanced systems are meticulously designed to manage the natural variability in word order across different languages, whether they follow a Subject-Object-Verb arrangement, a Subject-Verb-Object structure, or one of the more unusual patterns found in various linguistic traditions. We take pride in developing sophisticated models that ensure semantic accuracy while maintaining context integrity. We recognise that syntax is more than mere style; it mirrors cognitive patterns and different ways of thinking. In many respects, our translation process reflects the intricate workings of the human brain, as we aim to bridge the interactions between grammar, memory, and meaning. This comprehensive approach empowers us to deliver translations that convey the intended message and capture the emotional essence while honouring the unique intricacies of each language we engage with.

The Language-Thought Debate

This research aligns closely with the weak form of the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, often referred to as linguistic relativity. This concept suggests that while language does not strictly determine our thoughts, it significantly influences our cognitive habits and patterns. Language acts as a subtle guide, directing our attention and shaping the habitual ways in which we interact with the world around us. Rather than supporting the strong version of this hypothesis, modern research suggests a more nuanced relationship. This influence extends across various cognitive domains, including visual perception, spatial orientation, and memory, affecting how we interpret and engage with our environment. A striking example of this phenomenon can be seen in the Guugu Yimithirr language, spoken by an Indigenous Australian community. Unlike many languages that use relative terms such as "left" and "right," Guugu Yimithirr employs absolute directions like north, south, east, and west. As a result, speakers of this language often develop remarkable navigational skills. This illustrates a compelling dynamic interplay between language and cognition, where each continually shapes and enhances the other over time.

Practical Implications

Exploring the relationship between syntax and memory is not only a theoretical pursuit; it also has important implications for everyday life and professional practice. For example, understanding how different language structures impact memory can help educators develop more effective teaching strategies. For students who speak right-branching languages, such as Thai or Italian, presenting critical information towards the end of lessons may be beneficial, as these learners tend to recall the final items more effectively. In contrast, educators working with speakers of left-branching languages such as Japanese or Korean might achieve better results by presenting essential content earlier in their instruction. Insights into syntax and memory also have significant implications for translation and localization. Translators should go beyond literal translations and consider how sentence structure can affect comprehension and emphasis. A clear and impactful phrase in English may lose its effectiveness when translated into a language with a different syntactic structure, especially if the cognitive patterns inherent to that language are not recognized. In memory training and therapeutic interventions, particularly cognitive rehabilitation and support for multilingual individuals, tailoring exercises to fit a person’s native syntactic structures can significantly improve memory outcomes. For instance, strategies that enhance recall of initial items may be more effective for speakers of left-branching languages. In contrast, those that reinforce final items might work better for speakers of right-branching languages.

In global business, diplomacy, and multicultural collaboration, recognising how language structures can subtly influence cognitive processes can lead to more transparent communication and foster greater empathy. Acknowledging these linguistic and cognitive differences can improve cross-cultural interactions, reduce misunderstandings, and enhance cooperation among diverse groups.

The Living Legacy of Language

Studying word order and its impact on thinking helps us understand how language and thought connect. Language is not just a tool for communication; it shapes how we feel. Each language has its way of expressing ideas, reflecting different cultural and thinking styles. Examining these languages allows us to discover various ways of thinking influenced by syntax, sentence structure, and grammar. When we work to preserve and study linguistic diversity, we protect more than just words; we protect unique ways of understanding the mind. Knowing how language affects memory, perception, and thought is essential for improving communication and understanding among different cultures.