異星入境（Arrival）電影中的非線性記憶

Non-linear memory in Arrival: Where the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis goes

語言影響認知，甚或決定認知（Sapir-Whorf hypothesis）。本文依據這個薩丕爾－沃爾夫假說分析了電影《異星入境》，重點在於七肢體語（Heptapod language）對露易絲·班克斯（Louise Banks）的時間和記憶觀的重塑。我們採用張（2009，2018）的多模態話語分析框架，研究了以下問題：（1）從薩丕爾－沃爾夫假說的角度，如何解釋人類語言對人類理解七肢體（Heptapod）行為的影響？（2）露易絲·班克斯是如何擁有非線性記憶，並幫助人類與七肢體達成共識的呢？研究結果顯示，人類的語言限制了人類的視野及其對於自身在宇宙中所處位置的認識。露易絲·班克斯在習得七肢體語後，掌握了七肢體感知時間和使用記憶的方式。七肢體語以其蘊含的生態觀影響了人類：露易絲·班克斯用回文“漢娜”（Hannah）為她的女兒取名；多樣文明共存共容，選擇了對雙方都有益的非零和博弈（non-zero-sum game）。從薩丕爾－沃爾夫假說的角度研究《異星入境》，不僅是對語言影響思維以致認知和文化差異的再認識，而且是一種對“自我”與“他人”之間形而上學的闡釋。

"This study interprets the movie Arrival with the focus on how Heptapod language reshapes Louise Banks' time and memory perception from the perspective of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis which postulates that language influences and even determines cognition. We employ Zhang’s (2009, 2018) framework for multimodal discourse analysis seeking answers to the following questions: (1) How does the language of humans, as the linguistic determinism suggests, affect their interpretation of Heptapods' purpose on Earth? (2) How does Louise Banks possess non-linear memory through learning Heptapod language and help mankind make peace with the aliens? The outcome of the analysis shows that the language of humans imposes limits on their vision and how they position themselves vis-à-vis the external world. Louise Banks after acquiring Heptapod language masters the way the Heptapod race perceive time and use memory. There is an ecological view embodied in the alien language and its influence on the human race is manifested by the palindrome“Hannah”, by the harmonious coexistence of divergent cultures, and by the non-zero-sum game benefiting both sides. An exploration of Arrival is not only a re-understanding of how language impacts on thought leading to cognitive and cultural differences, but also a metaphysical interpretation of the interrelation between the“self”and“other”."