Watch The Grammar of Happiness

The Grammar of Happiness is a documentary film released in 2012, directed by Randall Wood and starring renowned linguist Daniel Everett. The film takes its audience to the heart of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, where Everett spent over 30 years studying the culture, language, and way of life of the Pirahã people. The film showcases Everett's journey and how he became involved with the Pirahã people. He and his family were part of a group of missionaries sent to bring Christianity to the remote tribe in the mid-1970s. However, Everett got much more than he bargained for when he began to immerse himself in their culture and language.

As he became more and more involved with the Pirahã people, Everett discovered that their language differed significantly from any other known language. He found that the Pirahã language had no grammar, no numerals, and no abstract concepts. The language is also notable for its lack of any written form or system of counting. These characteristics make the Pirahã language unique and challenging for outsiders to learn.

The film showcases Everett's struggle to learn and understand the Pirahã language, which is essential in gaining an understanding of the Pirahã people's culture and way of life. Everett's journey takes him on a fascinating voyage of discovery, as he tries to decipher the linguistic and cultural codes of the Pirahã people.

The Grammar of Happiness is not just a film about language but also about the human experience. It explores the relationship between language and thought, how language shapes our perceptions of the world, and how it influences our cultural identity. Everett believes that the Pirahã People's way of life and language offer valuable insights into what happiness truly means and how we can achieve it.

The central theme of the documentary is the cognitive differences between the Pirahã people and western culture. The Pirahã people live in the present moment and have no concept of the past or future. Their language lacks tenses, which means that they do not describe events in relation to time. This lack of tense is significant in that it signifies a profound difference in the Pirahã people's cognitive processes. Everett believes that this difference ultimately influences their cultural values and political structures.

The Grammar of Happiness is a visually stunning film, shot on location in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest. The film showcases the beauty of the landscape while also showcasing the daily lives of the Pirahã people. Through interviews with the Pirahã people and Everett himself, the film provides a unique insight into a rare and little-understood culture.

The film concludes that happiness is not something that can be defined, but rather, it is something that must be experienced. Everett states that happiness can be found in the everyday moments of life, in the moment-to-moment experience of being alive. He believes that to truly experience happiness, we need to let go of our cultural preconceptions and embrace the present moment.

Overall, The Grammar of Happiness is a thought-provoking and visually stunning documentary that delves into the linguistic and cultural differences between the Pirahã people and the western world. It brings light to how language shapes our perception of the world and our culture. The film shines a light on the importance of cultural diversity and the value of pluralism. It is a must-watch for those interested in language, culture, and human cognition.