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to what extent does language determine thought
language and cognitive development
to what extent does language determine thought
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“Language forces us to perceive the world as man presents it to us.” (Julia Penelope). Language is a mold Many will say that no matter what language one speaks everyone has the same brain anatomy thus language does not shape the way that we think and they way we perceive the world. While others believe there is no correlation with language and how it shapes human thoughts, there is evidence that proves otherwise; language does shape the way that we think. It is odd to think that no matter the language one speaks that everyone’s way of thinking is all identical. Lera Boroditsky article, “Lost in Translation” goes over her theory about language and how it shapes the way that we think. She shuts down a lot of critics who do not agree with her …show more content…
The opposing side may think that language does not shape the way we think for various reasons one for example, “ Gleitman says, In other words, however precise and specific the conventions of one language may be, the lack of those conventions in another language does not mean a speaker’s thinking or perception is similarly sparse.” (Hamilton 464). Leila Gleitman may be right however, she is just starting her own opinion without actually backing it up with evidence to prove her …show more content…
I believe that the world being filled with many languages serves as a tool that adds diversity to the human brain and mind. It would be completely absurd to believe that no matter what language one speaks that all of our minds and thoughts are shaped the same way. Along with it being a crazy thought that language does not shape the way we think, it would also be boring to have everyone have the same thoughts and perceptions of the world. Without language shaping thoughts there would not be people from all over the world coming up with the innovations and inventions that we have
Language is our power and expression is our freedom. Through a puff of air, we are able to communicate and influence the environments that surround us. Over the course of time humans have evolved, but by the means of language, humans have matured into humanity. The possibility of thought and emotions such as empathy show the ability to think with complexity. A crucial element that helps Suzanne K. Langer’s illustrate the essence of humanity throughout her essay “Language and Thought.” Langer thoroughly depicts what sets humans apart from the rest of the animal kingdom by explicitly stating “The line between man and beast […] is the language line” (120). Consequently, this implies that if a person is declined the freedom of language they are hardly considered human. Many people around the globe have had their voices silenced due to corrupt governments and the oppression of their culture. These individuals are subjected to the devastating effects of the loss of language, which in turn, translates to the loss of power. Language is our foundation for hopes and opportunity, for with out it a person is shell of possibility that is subjected to a passive existence.
How much does language truly affect the way that we think? In “Nothing is Missing,” Tom Munnecke discusses the limitations that arise when being confined to unique “linguistic shells.” However, after an eye-opening trip to Japan language paradoxes that once hindered the fluidity of his thoughts were depleted. Through his own experiences with thinking and speaking in different languages, Munnecke was able to open his mind and view the world in a more progressive way. The “linguistic shell” that frustrated Munnecke in his early age becomes a lead to many theories that he has about our modern lives. Subsequently, Munnecke is able to relate language, thought, and distance; all of which he concludes have no boundaries within each other. In his memoir
Language has the power to influence and reshape our thoughts and actions. In Anthem, by Ayn Rand, there is a society which controls the language of everyone in it. Under the World Council, everyone is to follow the many rules put in place and no one even tries to break them. There is no “I” in their language, there is only “we”. With the power to influence and reshape people, language has a big impact on our thoughts and actions.
...nced our language is, the better the state of society is and it effects how we think of certain issues.
Language is a powerful tool and manner on how we, as people, live and socialize. It is a gateway to communication and how to interpret things. As humans, we often distinguish ourselves as individuals through language, creating a sort of identity through linguistics among our fellow peers. In present times, it is just as significant how we say things as to what we say. It has become the norm to categorize others based off how they speak. This act of divergence is powerful, the judging prematurely of and setting standards to certain social groups leads to stereotyping and cultural bias. Linguistic determinism
Deutscher, Guy. Through the Language Glass: Why the World Looks Different in Other Languages. Excerpt ‘Does Your Language Shape How You Think?’
As children we are taught the gift of language through mimicking and training. We are introduced to a bevy of words and sounds and their meanings. We learn tone and pitch and which words to use to emphasize a particular point(s) that we are trying to make. What we aren’t taught however is that the language that we may learn and speak at home may not necessarily be the language that is widely accepted in the outside world (i.e. school, work, interviews, public functions). Unfortunately our linguistics skill or lack thereof do define us as people and give unwilling clues to our level of intelligence and whether or not we are reliable sources of information (depending...
Lakoff and Johnson propose that the language we use affects the way we think and the way we think affects the language we use. I am reminded of the old saying: "As a man thinkith, so is he.S To illustrate, the metaphor of argument as war is used. If I think of argument as war then my instincts will be directed towards winning that war. Kill or be killed. I defend my claims against others and attack the opponent's weak points trying to shoot down any counter-arguments hurled at me. The adrenaline is pumping. The objective is no longer expression, but survival. Signs consistent with the metaphor will be recognized and others will be ignored.
Throughout history, language has been a significant part of how humans are able to communicate with each other. Communication is a vital part to the way humans live and even survive with each other. Languages are all unique, and they can possibly be a factor in the way humans solve problems or think in general. In the essay “How Does Our Language Shape the Way We Think?,” Lera Boroditsky delves into this complex topic. She specifically focuses on the topic of language and how people’s thinking can actually change depending on the language that they speak. To effectively prove her argument, she has conducted many experiments with her students and colleges that test the way that groups of people complete tasks differently based on their language.
In order for us to communicate, we must speak a language. In order for us to identify to a culture, we must speak the language of the culture. Language is an essential tool in culture. Humans express themselves through writing and speaking, but we must understand what each other is saying to communicate properly. In American society, we must be aware of all the different cultures and their languages. The Spahr-Whorf Synopsis demonstrates how our particular language affects our perception. “Language not only expresses ideas but also shapes ideas about and perceptions of the world (Martin & Nakayama, 141.)” The Spahr-Whorf Synopsis describes a good relationship between culture and language
Suzanne K. Langer states that (16) “The birth of language is the dawn of humanity” in her writing of Langer, S. K. (2015). Language and Thought. In Exploring Language (14th ed., pp. 118-122). Northeastern University, U.S.A.: Gary Goshgarian. I agree with her statement whole heartedly for many reasons in which I will explain throughout this writing. Without language and thought we cannot separate ourselves from the most anthropoid of beast, or perhaps even the most primitive of beast. Language allows us to think and not just act and fulfill needs, it allows us to pursue more meaningful things beyond hunting and gathering. Language gives us more power than we can imagine. If you have ever been to a foreign country and been unable to speak the
Understanding more than one language has positive effects on the brain’s ability to think. In comparison to multilingual individuals, monolingual English speakers are at a considerable disadvantage when it comes to learning, cultural awareness, and effectiveness in global affairs.
To What Degree Might Different Languages Shape In Their Speakers Different Concepts Of Themselves And The World? What Are The Implications Of Such Differences For Knowledge?
In her article, How Does Our Language Shape the Way We Think, Lera Boroditsky (2009) explains how the results of her experiments support the idea that the structure of language shapes the way we think. In one of her experiments, she found that English speakers would place cards showing temporal progression in temporal order from left to right, Hebrew speakers would place them right to left, and that the Kuuk Thaayorre would place them from east to west. This shows that the written language affects how time is represented to them. In another one of her experiments, she asked German and Spanish speakers to describe some items and found that the masculinity or femininity of the noun in their respective languages affects how it is ultimately described. This can also be seen in how artists represent the human form of abstract entities like death. Boroditsky concludes that “Language is central to our experience of being human, and the languages we speak profoundly shape the way we think, the way we see the world, the way we live our lives.” (Core reader p. 49) I would like to add that language is also the foundation of a person’s culture, pride, and self by exploring articles written by Eric Liu, Amy Tan, and Gloria Anzaldua.
Language has a significant impact on cognitive development as according to Vygotsky language precedes thinking. (Powell, Katherine C, Kalina, Cody J p241) A common language is necessary for people to interact socially. Language is...