首页
外语
计算机
考研
公务员
职业资格
财经
工程
司法
医学
专升本
自考
实用职业技能
登录
外语
Linguists have understood for decades that language and thought are closely related. Humans construct reality using thought and
Linguists have understood for decades that language and thought are closely related. Humans construct reality using thought and
admin
2013-11-29
59
问题
Linguists have understood for decades that language and thought are closely related. Humans construct reality using thought and express these thoughts through the use of language. Edward Sapir and his student Benjamin Whorl are credited with developing the most relevant explanation outlining the relationship between thought and language, the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis. The hypothesis consists of two parts, linguistic relativity and linguistic determinism. Supporters of linguistic relativity assume that culture is shaped by language. Terwilliger defines linguistic determinism as the process by which "the functions of one’s mind are determined by the nature of the language which one speaks." In simpler terms, the thoughts that we construct are based upon the language that we speak and the words that we use. In its strongest sense, linguistic determinism can be interpreted as meaning that language determines thought. In its weakest sense, language partially influences thought. Whorl was careful to avoid authoritative statements which would permanently commit him to particular position.
Because of the broad nature of his statements, it is difficult to distinguish exactly to what extent Whorf believes that language determines thought. Heated debate among modern linguists demonstrates that disagreement exists about the accuracy and correctness of Whorf’s studies and of the actual level of influence of language on thought processes.
The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis essentially consists of two distinct statements connecting the relation of thought and language. Whorl believes that humans may be able to think only about objects, processes, and conditions that have language associated with them. The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis also explains the relationship between different languages (French, English, German, Chinese, and so on) and thought. Whorl demonstrated that culture is largely determined by language. Different cultures perceive the world in different ways. Culturally essential objects, conditions and processes usually are defined by a plethora of words, while things that cultures perceive as unimportant are usually assigned one or two words. Whorl developed this theory while studying the Hopi Indian tribe. Whorl was amazed that the Hopi language has no words for past, present, and future. The Hopi have only one word for flying objects. A dragonfly, an airplane, and a pilot are defined using the same word. Whorf questioned whether or not the Hopi view the world differently than western people. After further interpretation and analysis he concluded that the Hopi have a sense for the continuum of time despite having no words, to specifically describe past, present, and future.
It is commonly believed that the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis possesses some truth, but the extent to which it is applicable to all situations is questioned. Linguists generally support a "strong" or a "weak" interpretation. Linguists who study the hypothesis tend to cite examples that support their beliefs but are unable or unwilling to refute the opposing arguments. Examples exist that strengthen the arguments of everyone who studies the hypothesis. Nobody has gained significant ground in proving or refuting the hypothesis because the definitions of Sapir and Whorl are very vague and incomplete, leaving room for a significant amount of interpretation.
Which of the following criticisms is often made of the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis?
选项
A、It has no empirical evidence in its favor.
B、It is formulated on the basis of only one case study.
C、Its applicability has been greatly exaggerated.
D、No convincing examples can be found to support its claim.
答案
C
解析
转载请注明原文地址:https://kaotiyun.com/show/nChO777K
0
考博英语
相关试题推荐
Attitudesofrespect,modestyandfairplaycangrowonlyoutofslowlyacquiredskillsthatparentsteachtheirchildrenoverm
Thetextureofthesoildependsontherelativeamountsofdifferent-sizedparticlesthatcombinetomakeupthesoil.Thesepar
ThepoliticalcrisisinUkraine,whereoppositionprotestersareburningcampfiresandsettinguptentsinthecenterofKiev,i
Whentelevisionisgood,nothing—notthetheatre,notthemagazines,ornewspapers—nothingisbetter.Butwhentelevisionisbad
ThefearofAmericanizationoftheplanetismoreideologicalparanoia(多疑)thanreality.Thereisnodoubtthat,withglobaliza
Everysociety,beginningwithsomeslightinclinationinonedirectionoranother,carriesitspreferencefartherandfarther,i
In1885OwenWister(1850~1938)recordedthat"itwon’tbeacenturybeforetheWestissimplythetrueAmerica,withthought,t
Newtechnologylinkstheworldasneverbefore.Ourplanethasshrunk.It’snowa"globalvillage"wherecountriesareonlyseco
Beans,peasandlentilsareinthelegumefamilyandareexcellentfoodchoices.Legumesarehealthycomplexcarbohydrates,full
Thenewspapermustprovideforthereaderthefacts,unalloyed,unsalted,objectivelyselectedfacts.Butinthesedaysofcomp
随机试题
男,31岁。双侧臀区交替性疼痛9年余,间断腰痛6年,疼痛主要发生在夜间,伴有晨僵。近3周症状加重,有夜间痛醒现象。查体:腰部活动受限,右侧“4”字试验阳性。实验室检查:ESR24mm/h,HLA-B27(+)。最可能的诊断是
为企业的决策者当好参谋和助手,是会计人员应尽的()。
在有效资本市场上,管理者可以通过()。
力求本学期考得好,力求得到本学期的奖学金,属于()。
凡群众发现公安机关、公安民警有违法违纪或失职行为的,可以直接拨打“110”进行监督投诉。()
如果K排在第四天表演,则下列哪一项一定是真的?()如果H不能排在第五天表演,则下列哪一项必定是真的?()
丝路精神
Whichofthefollowingistrueaccordingtothefirsttwoparagraphs?AccordingtoParagraph4,thestresswomenconfronttends
一个带头节点的链式队列的头指针f指向头节点,队尾指针为r,则判断队空的条件为______。
Man:Howdidyoulikethenewexhibitattheartgallery?Woman:Istillhaven’tbeenabletotakeanytimeofffromstudying.Q
最新回复
(
0
)