Vote totals:
Yes:
0%
No:
100%
Neutral:
0%
DEBATE: DOES LANGUAGE CONTROL THOUGHT?
DOES LANGUAGE CONTROL THOUGHT?
Can we understand concepts we don’t have words for?
The Hopi Indians and the Inuit people present interesting cases. We can’t understand the distinctions that the Inuit’s have for snow, as we don’t have words for it.
Not only is this research discredited, but it is argued that thought is conditioned by the society you are in, not by native language.
DOES LANGUAGE CONTROL THOUGHT?
Do we think in words? Are our thoughts in our native language?
It is also suggested that all our thoughts are in our native language, hence, we can’t understand things we don’t have words for, as we physically can’t think of concepts we don’t have words for.
Language processing is restricted to a few small areas in the brain; can this really control all our thoughts? Or are they completely separate?
DOES LANGUAGE CONTROL THOUGHT?
Can our brain/thoughts function without language?
After a stroke, language is often affected. as are thoughts and memories; is this due to thoughts being controlled by language?
After damage to Broca’s or Wernicke’s area, the subjects can still understand language and everyday processes.
DOES LANGUAGE CONTROL THOUGHT?
Surely thought comes before language
Babies and children have thoughts before they can speak or use language.
DOES LANGUAGE CONTROL THOUGHT?
Thoughts for which you have no words
What about the thoughts for which we don’t have words? I can’t be the only one who wants to express a concept and finds there is aparently no word for it, or none that I know.
DOES LANGUAGE CONTROL THOUGHT?
Visual thoughts
Not all thoughts come in the form of words at all. What about the visual images that arise in the mind? To translate them into words is often difficult or imposible, suggesting these do not arise from a language-based source.
DOES LANGUAGE CONTROL THOUGHT?
Surely thought comes before language.
Babies and children have thoughts before they can speak or use language.
I believe that it is more than just language, society and other process may well play an important part.