Linguistic Priors for Perception.

In this commentary, we approach the topic of linguistic relativity from a predictive coding perspective. Discussing the role of "priors" in shaping perception, we argue that language creates an important set of priors for humans, which can affect how sensory information is processed and interpreted. Namely, languages create conventionalized conceptual systems for their speakers, mirroring and reinforcing what is behaviorally important in a society. As such, they create collective conceptual convergence on how to categorize the world and thus "streamline" what people rely on to guide their perception. Languages can create conventionalised conceptual systems for their speakers, streamlining what they rely on to guide their perception. Recognising that language is one of many types of priors opens up an opportunity for a more nuanced approach to language‐perception interaction, with the focus on different ways in which different languages can affect how we perceive the world around us. With that shift, we can start acknowledging diversity, not only across languages, but also the diversity of cognitive and neural signatures subserving such top‐down effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]