Introducing Sociolinguistics: Language and Society

Key Questions Addressed

• What is the relationship between language and thought?
• Does language determine the way people think and view the world?
• Does language shape the way people think and see the world?

Central Issues in Psycholinguistics

• Relationship between language, thought, and culture.
• Is language necessary for thought?

Main Views on Thought and Language

• Speech is necessary for thought.
• Language is necessary for thought.
• Language determines the way we think and see the world.
• Language relatively affects the way we think and see the world.

Thought as Behavior

• Thought viewed as behavior derived from speech production.
• Thought defined as subvocal speech or behavior.
• Thinking equated to speaking internally.
• Reference: Steinberg & Sciarini, 2006.

Speech Comprehension vs Production

• Children can comprehend speech and think without producing speech.
• Speech comprehension develops before speech production in children.
• Speech production not necessary for thought.
• Reference: Steinberg & Sciarini, 2006.

Language as Necessary for Thought

• Language system, including vocabulary, necessary for thought.
• Broader view, encompassing both speech production and comprehension.
• Argument against thought without language.
• Reference: Sapir, 1921; Steinberg & Sciarini, 2006.

Multilingualism and Thought Systems

• Multilingual individuals might form multiple thought systems.
• Different languages forming different systems of thought.

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Linguistic Determinism

• Language structure determines thought, behavior, and worldview.
• Language acts as a filter to reality.

Linguistic Relativity

• Culture, via language, affects thought and worldview.

Examples of Language Differences

• Grammatical and lexical differences among languages illustrate different worldviews.
• Example: English vs. Spanish terminology for 'legs' and 'eating'.
• Example: Honorifics in Japanese, logical relations in Kiriwina.

Whorf's Contrast

• Hopi vs. Standard Average European (SAE) languages.
• Different orientations towards time and space.
• Implications on worldview and perception.

Testing the Hypotheses

• Tests show variability among languages supports linguistic relativity.
• Universal and unique aspects among languages.

Discussion

• Encouragement to compare grammatical and lexical elements of native vs. other languages as per linguistic theories.

References

• Steinberg, D. & Sciarini, V. (2006). An Introduction to Psycholinguistics.
• Hill, J.H. (1988). Language, Culture, and World View.
• Wardhaugh, R. (2010). An introduction to sociolinguistics.

Additional Resources

• Language and Thought Video
• Language and Thought TED Talk