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( 1884-1939 )

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Language
determines
thought

Thought
determines
language

On language and thought

Classical theorists like Plato and Aristotle argued that language
is only the outward form or expression of thought. Also,
language and thought are identical.
For J.B Watson, an American psychologist and the founder of
Behaviorism believes that thought is a sub-vocal speech. That
if we think aloud that is speech and we if we speak
covertly that is thinking.
For Edward Sapir, through language we categorize
the world we live in.

Who is EDWARD SAPIR?

He was born on January 26, 1884 in Pomerania,
Germany and died at the age of 55.
An American anthropologist-linguist, who is widely considered to
be one of the most important figures in the early development of the
discipline of linguistics.

Widely known for his contributions to the

study of north American Indian languages.

A founder of ethnolinguistics, which considers the

relationship of culture to language, he was also a
principal developer of the American (descriptive) school
of structural linguistics.
Sapir studied the ways in which language and culture
influence each other, and he was interested in the relation
between linguistic differences, and differences in cultural
world views.
*This lead to the principle of linguistic relativityor the
"Sapir-Whorf" hypothesis.

What is Linguistic Relativity?

Brief History
First discussed by Sapir in 1929 and became popular
in the 1950s following the Posthumous publication of
the writings of his student, Benjamin Lee Whorf on the
subject.
After vigorous attack of Chomskys followers the
hypothesis is now believed by most linguists only in the
weak sense that language can have some small effect
on thought.

SAPIR-WHORF HYPOTHESIS states that

that there are certain thoughts of an individual in one language

that cannot be understood by those who live in another language.

the way people think is strongly affected by their native

languages.

PRINCIPLES OF SAPIR-WHORF HYPOTHESIS

A. LINGUISTIC DETERMINISM
* The language we use determines the way in which we
categorize, view and think about the world
* considered as the strong version of the Sapir-Whorf
Hypothesis

ARGUMENTS SUPPORTING LINGUISTIC

DETERMINISM:
1. The Inuits have four different words for snow, while English has
just one.

Aput for snow on the ground

Qana for falling snow
Piqsirpoq for drifting snow
Qimuqsuq for snowdrift

The language of the Piraha Tribe

contains only 3 counting words-12and Many.
- (Peter Gordon, 2004)

3. A boy wants to use the toilet but he

then notice the sign out of use on the
door.
As a result: the sign, out of use
(language) determines the boys
decision (his thought) not to use the
toilet

B. LINGUISTIC RELATIVISM
* People who speak different languages perceive and think
about the world differently from each other
* Language differences affect our daily, automatic thinking
* Language influences thinking
* Considered as the weak version of the Sapir-Whorf
Hypothesis

ARGUMENTS SUPPORTING LINGUISTIC

RELATIVISM
1. Lenbergs & Roberts, 1953

In Zuni: one word is use to refer to yellow-orange spectrum

In English: They use 2 words to refer to each color
independently

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Another is Trahalura speakers do not have separate terms to

differentiate

CRITICISMS ON SAPIR-WORTH HYPOTHESIS

The hypothesis is far too strong a claim and thus false.

Peoples thoughts and perceptions are not determined by the

words and structures of their language. (Fromkin et al. 2007)

Speakers of a language may not have the exact word but are
able to express their ideas and thoughts using other words or
word combinations

Other studies have shown

that babies use pointing
to get the things they want
before they speak.

Thought exist before

language.