"In Japanese, I can't say this."
At Simon's words, Haru was surprised. "Huh?"
"The concept doesn't exist. So neither does the word."
Ren showed interest. "For example?"
"German 'Schadenfreude.' The feeling of joy at others' misfortune."
Haru thought. "That exists in Japanese too, right? As a feeling?"
"It exists, but can't be said in one word," Simon explained.
Ren supplemented. "The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis that language constrains thought."
"Constrains thought?"
"Without words, you can't think concepts clearly."
Haru objected. "But you can feel it."
"Feeling and thinking are different," Simon said.
Ren explained in detail. "You can have vague sensations. But precise thought requires language."
Haru asked. "So language is a tool for thought?"
"A tool and," Simon said, "also a cage."
"Cage?"
"It's difficult to think beyond language's framework."
Ren gave an example. "Color perception. Language differs in color divisions."
"Huh?"
"In some languages, blue and green are the same word. In others, there are two blues."
Haru was surprised. "Language changes how we see?"
"Not completely proven, but," Ren said, "there's influence."
Simon gave another example. "Tense. Japanese is vague about tense."
"Vague?"
"'Taberu' could be present or future, depending on context."
Ren supplemented. "English clearly distinguishes 'eat' and 'will eat.'"
Haru asked. "What does that change?"
"Perception of time," Simon answered. "Language may affect time recognition."
Haru pondered. "So language binds us?"
"In a sense," Ren acknowledged. "But it also frees."
"Frees?"
"Language enables abstract thought."
Simon gave an example. "The concept of 'justice.' Without language, it's vague."
"With language, we can debate," Ren added.
Haru understood. "Language clarifies thought."
"Yes. So it's both binding and freeing."
Simon showed another perspective. "Wittgenstein said 'the limits of language are the limits of the world.'"
"Limits of the world?"
Ren explained. "What can't be verbalized can't be recognized."
Haru objected. "But there are emotions beyond words."
"There are," Simon acknowledged. "But thinking about them is difficult."
"Thought and sensation are separate?"
"Separate," Ren answered. "Sensation is direct. Thought is linguistic."
Haru asked. "So there's no thought without language?"
"Not completely," Ren answered carefully. "But there's also non-linguistic thought."
"Non-linguistic?"
"Images, music, bodily sensations. These don't go through language."
Simon added. "But to share them with others, language is needed."
Haru understood. "Language is a tool for communication."
"Yes. So language is social."
Ren raised another issue. "Language is also power."
"Power?"
"Those who control language control thought."
Simon gave an example. "'Terrorist' and 'freedom fighter.' Same person, but words change impression."
Haru was surprised. "Word choice manipulates perception?"
"Yes. So language is political."
Ren added. "The problem of 'discriminatory language' is also about language and power."
Haru pondered. "So questioning language is important?"
"Important," Simon answered. "Language isn't transparent."
"Not transparent?"
"Language itself has bias."
Ren explained. "No neutral language exists. All languages have cultural backgrounds."
Haru asked. "So what should we do?"
"Learn multiple languages," Simon answered.
"Why?"
"Different languages give different perspectives. Not bound by one language."
Ren supplemented. "Knowing multiple languages reveals language's relativity."
Haru was convinced. "Language is like windows."
"Good metaphor," Simon acknowledged. "One window, one view. Multiple windows, multiple views."
Ren added. "But beyond the windows, there's reality beyond language."
"Beyond language?"
"Something inexpressible. But to approach it, language is needed."
Haru was confused. "Isn't that contradictory?"
"It's contradictory," Simon acknowledged. "But that's language's essence."
Ren said quietly. "Language is an imperfect tool."
"But also the best tool."
Haru asked. "So how should we engage with language?"
Simon answered. "Master it. But don't rely on it too much."
"Don't rely too much?"
"Know language's limits. Admit there are things language can't express."
Ren added. "And know the value of silence."
"Silence?"
"What can't be put into words, express with silence. That's also a form of expression."
Haru smiled. "Language is both binding and freeing."
"Exactly," Simon nodded. "Depends on use."
The three fell silent. Knowing language's limits and believing in its possibilities. That balance was a healthy relationship with language.