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The Future Tense That Never Was: How Languages Without a Future Tense Shape Planning and Perception
Did you know that many languages, like Mandarin Chinese and Finnish, get by perfectly well without a grammatical future tense? This seemingly minor linguistic detail may have a profound impact on how its speakers perceive the future, potentially influencing everything from national savings rates to personal health choices. This article delves into the fascinating and controversial theory that the way we talk about tomorrow fundamentally shapes the way we live today.