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
2011-05-29
43
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. Whorf 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. Whorf 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. Whorl questioned whether or not the Hopi view the world differently than western peoples. 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 sup port 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
本题的依据句是第四段第一句的“It is commonly believed that... all situations is questioned.”从中可知,人们普遍认为Sapir-Whorf假设具有,定的真实性,但对该学说能否适用于所有情况提出了质疑,后半句实际上暗指有人对该假设的用途过分夸大提出了批评。因此正确答案为C。
转载请注明原文地址:https://kaotiyun.com/show/qh6O777K
0
考博英语
相关试题推荐
Readthenewspaperarticlebelowaboutapartnershipbetweenindustryandschools.Aresentences16-22belowthearticle"Ri
Computersmayonedayturnnightintoday—withgoodold,naturalsunlight.Giantcomputer-controlledmirrors,thousandsoff
Ahundredyearsagoitwasassumedandscientifically"proved"byeconomiststhatthelawsofsocietymakeitnecessarytohave
TheviewAwhichelementsofaculturearetobeunderstoodandjudgedBintermsoftheirrelationshiptoCthecultureasawhole
Thecampsarenotusuallytent-tupecamps.Theyaremostlylong-established______structures,oftenwithstrangeIndiannames.
Accordingtotheinstructor,studentswhoareabsentfrom,lecturesmorethanthreetimeswillbe______intheendofthesemes
He’llhaveto______themusicwhenhisparentsfindouthe’sbeenmissingschool.
SinceJapan______importancetoeducationandtechnologicalinnovation,itseconomyhasdevelopedatahighspeed.
Themostexcitingkindofeducationisalsothemost.Nothingcan【C1】______thejoyofdiscoveringforyourselfsomethingthatis
Themostexcitingkindofeducationisalsothemost.Nothingcan【C1】______thejoyofdiscoveringforyourselfsomethingthatis
随机试题
A.肺炎链球菌肺炎B.葡萄球菌肺炎C.肺炎克雷伯杆菌肺炎D.肺炎支原体肺炎女性,16岁。咳嗽1周,痰少,不发热,但有头痛,全身酸痛和关节痛。白细胞6.3×109/L,肺部无异常体征,X线胸片示右下肺斑片影。可能诊断
经医师资格考试或助理医师考试.取得医师或助理医师资格,颁发执业或助理资格证书的机构是
伤寒患者最具有特征性的病理改变部位是在
某市政工程网络计划图如下(单位为月),该工程的总工期是()。
金融市场常被称为资金的“蓄水池”和国民经济的“晴雨表”。这两种说法分别指出了金融市场的()。
某市出租车运营方案调整如下:起步价由过去的5元2千米调整为8元3千米,运价由每千米1.2元上调至每千米1.6元.调整前后行程超过10千米则超出部分均需加收半价返程费。现在王先生打车由甲地去乙地,两地相距12千米,王先生所付出租车费比调整前多付多少元?(
20世纪30年代,一批行为主义心理学家试图对行为主义进行改造,于是产生了新行为主义。它的主要代表人物中,对现代欧美教育思潮影响最大的是
ReadthefollowingtextandanswerthequestionsbychoosingthemostsuitablesubheadingfromthelistA-Gforeachofthenumb
信用卡业务只有50年的历史。有些信用卡的确为人们提供了方便。那些接受信用卡的业务包括医院的心脏手术费,政府的个人所得税。有些人就不用为买洗衣机或电脑而去存钱了,他们只要记账就行。他们没有意识到记账比用现金购买贵很多。因为用信用卡/赊账/赊购很方便,所以许多
A、Foods.B、Clothes.C、Books.D、Householdgoods.D事实细节题。对话中男士问女士这对新婚夫妇的笔记本里都有什么。女士回答说大部分都是家用器具,有真空吸尘器、炊具等。由此可知D)“家用器具”为正确答案。
最新回复
(
0
)