Claude Lévi-Strauss’s unique experiences, particularly growing up in a multilingual environment in Paris, influenced his linguistic and anthropological work. His encounters with various cultures and the tumult of World War II spurred his interest in understanding human behavior and society. His field studies among indigenous peoples in Brazil led to his foundational ideas on structuralism. Lévi-Strauss advocated the importance of mythology and cultural practices in understanding human kinship and social structures. His work emphasized that cultural patterns are universal, enriching the study of anthropology and linguistics.