but you have to have a distinction for the word to apply to before it is useful
All colors are distinct. It’s a lot easier to just put them into several groups. This has been shown to be how people work. The idea that they do this with colors before they compare ones that they’re currently looking at is surprising, but it’s not impossible. A large portion of your brain is used for understanding what you see, so there’s a lot of room for those shortcuts to take place, and a lot of benefit to having them.
Why did the scientists in this program seem to think it was the other way around, I wonder?
I suspect it’s because of the other studies that they haven’t mentioned. Perhaps they looked at tribes genetically identical to the Himba, and noticed that they notice colors based on their language. Perhaps this is just the most noticeable one, and other studies were with genetically identical groups. Perhaps they just know a lot more about how the brain works in general. I suggest reading Conjunction Controversy (Or, How They Nail It Down).
All colors are distinct. It’s a lot easier to just put them into several groups. This has been shown to be how people work. The idea that they do this with colors before they compare ones that they’re currently looking at is surprising, but it’s not impossible. A large portion of your brain is used for understanding what you see, so there’s a lot of room for those shortcuts to take place, and a lot of benefit to having them.
I suspect it’s because of the other studies that they haven’t mentioned. Perhaps they looked at tribes genetically identical to the Himba, and noticed that they notice colors based on their language. Perhaps this is just the most noticeable one, and other studies were with genetically identical groups. Perhaps they just know a lot more about how the brain works in general. I suggest reading Conjunction Controversy (Or, How They Nail It Down).