Language and Thought

A2 English Language
Language and Thought

Objectives:
o Understanding linguistic issues, concepts, methods and approaches relating to
language and thought.
o Read and show understanding of a wide variety of texts which discuss the relationship
between language and thought.
Things to consider:
1. How do we think?
2. Do we think in sentences?
3. Do we need a language to think?
4. Do babies have thoughts before they can speak? https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=O4a2RAyx1B8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6n_xSP1fxA
Key terms:
Linguistic determination: the idea that the structure of a language determines the thought
processes of its speakers.
Linguistic reflectionism: the idea that language reflects the thoughts and ideas of culture,
the opposite of linguistic determination.
Linguistic relativity: the idea that the structure of language affects a person’s view of the
world, either very directly, as in linguistic determination, or as a much more indirect and
weaker influence.
Stereotype: very generalised opinion or idea about a type of person or group of people. It is
simplified and biased image and often produces negative feelings about those concerned.
Language and thought in developing self-identity

Our everyday lives involve using languages. We are most aware when we are speaking,
listening, reading and writing. Cognitive skills process and store information that helps us to
create and maintain a sense of who we are. Stored ideas and memories become a part of our
thoughts and we use the selected information to interpret language, actions and attitudes of
other people.
There are theories of language and thought which might take on different perspectives such
as:
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A2 English Language
o Rational thinking involves an element of language by which to organise the

information as we presented with in our daily lives.
o Language and thought are two separate entities- thought comes first then language as
a vehicle for expressing it.
o Language and thought are essential to interact with the individuals and groups that we
come into contact with.
These relationships between language and thought have implications in the way we relate to
social groups. This could be in a positive or negative sense.
Consider some of the following ways in which language might influence a person’s thinking
in some of the following situations… [Activity 1- page 386].
Theories of language and thought

Linguistic theorists have various theories in relating to the link between
language and thought.
The Sapir- Whorf hypothesis
 1929- Edward Lee Sapir and Benjamin Whorf developed a hypothesis
about language and thought which became more widely discussed in the
1950s. Words and grammar of a language directly shape the thoughts of
its speakers.
 Language shapes the way in which a person forms a view of the world.
An example is how the English language has one word for snow.
However, the Inuit language has three words for the different properties
as they have more detailed distinguishing forms of a particular aspect.
 Boas- Jakobson Principle: developed in the late 1950s- a possible
replacement for the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. If the SW hypothesis
thought that language acted like a prison the B-J P states that in theory
every thought can be expressed in every language but that languages
differ in the types of information they require speakers to mention when
they use language. Eg, French is a gendered language- very specific while
Vietnamese is not. English does have some gender but not much.
Consider the novel ‘1984’ by George Orwell written in 1948. An example of the
power of languages- the totalitarian system removing the word bad and
replacing it with the word ungood. The society did not have a word to express
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A2 English Language
their dissatisfaction. An example of how language can control thoughts of

speakers.
 Linguistic determination: the idea that the structure of a language determines the
thought processes of its speakers.
One common example of linguistic determinism is the idea that the Inuit have a much more
sophisticated understanding of snow than people from other cultures do because Inuktitut has
many different words for snow.
 Linguistic reflectionism: the idea that language reflects the thoughts and ideas of
culture, the opposite of linguistic determination.
According to this view, language simply reflects our thoughts. For example, racist terms exist
because people have racist attitudes. The notion that language reflects thought is known as
reflectionism.
 Linguistic relativity: the idea that the structure of language affects a person’s view of
the world, either very directly, as in linguistic determination, or as a much more
indirect and weaker influence.
Since ancient times, some thinkers have argued that people who speak different languages
see the world in a different way. Today, this idea is known as the linguistic relativity
hypothesis. According to linguistic relativists, a person's language guides and shapes their
worldview.
Universalism
Language is a reflection of human thoughts and all languages are similar with
shared concepts and patterns. Anthropologist Rix Pinxten developed the idea
and published in 2011. All humans share the same cognitive process such as
memory and perception which are reflected in every language so that ideas can
be translated easily between different languages.
Language and social equity

The influence of language on people’s thoughts are relevant to behaviour. If a group of people
are believed to be inferior often inappropriate or negative language may be used. In recent
years language has changed to reinforce greater social equity for various groups. Many of
these terms reinforce stereotypes.
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A2 English Language
Gender- traditional words of employment have been neutralized. For example: policeman is
police officer, chairman is chairperson…
Comedy- not all of comedy is socially acceptable anymore. You cannot comment on a
person’s physical appearance, shape etc
Ethnicity- preventing racial slurs and it is illegal to use racist language and gestures.
Workplace changes- No assumptions that men are the boss or that a private assistant is a
woman. The pronouns ‘they’ might be used more often.
Age It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of age. Language has changed. Instead of old
people, geriatric it is seniors, senior citizens.
Disability Handicapped became disabled then persons living with disability. This is so that it
is not a case of the entire person being disabled, but simply an aspect of no longer referred to
as disabled, now called persons living with disability.
Religious beliefs
Political correctness (PC): avoiding offence to any group of people who may be seen to be at
a disadvantage because of their race, gender, age, disability and any social disadvantages.
Activity
Imagine if fairy tales were politically correct. Rewrite the opening of a fairy tale in a
politically correct manner- language that breaks the traditional gender, age, ethnic and
disability stereotypes. How does being PC change the meaning of the story? Fairy tales to
consider…could be one of them but not limited.
Your presentation should highlight the original story- you can also provide a video link. Write
the new opening then analyse how the PC version of your story differs. Does the meaning of
the story change? How does it affect the reader?
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Little Red Riding Hood
The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Hansel and Gretel
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A2 English Language

Language and Thought

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A2 English Language

Language and Thought

Language and thought in developing self-identity

o Rational thinking involves an element of language by which to organise the

Theories of language and thought

their dissatisfaction. An example of how language can control thoughts of

Language and social equity

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