Language Shapes the Mind

Does language shape the mind?

Critically evaluate theoretical and empirical evidence.

Essay

In order to address the empirical thoughts of the question, this essay would highlight the fact that whether is there any relationship to be explored for language shape the mind by theoretical evidences. It is also a fact that this topic has been in debate since a while when theorist like Whorf, stated the debate and provided empirical evidences on the fact that language does shapes the mind.

Definition and functions of language

What is Language? As per the Chambers Dictionary; it is ‘speech by a particular group or nation’ or ‘any mode of communication’. Language is a process through which communication can be done and the listener with the help of interfaces, interpret the wordings. As the human language provide a lot of flexibility and also share the elements for creativity.

The language theory of Whorf came in the forefront with an attractive idea that language powers the power and restricts the way we think. For centuries Whorf theory rules the academics and the thinking of the general public. He uses the example of ‘Eskimos’ who have different ways to describe snow. He theoretically analysed the language and the meaning through Eskimos as they live in this climate and then checked it from a different concept of people not living in the same geographical location.

Eventually, the Whorf theory crashed and new theory was relegated that when we are able to learn our mother tongue; it is then our minds are preventing us to change our thoughts.

Chomsky on the other hand proposed that humans are born to gain knowledge and proposed the theory of LAD (Language Acquisition Device) that allows children learn the concept of grammar which is important for every language. He believes that children under the age of 3 (three) are able to speak with a little help and this monologue is verbalised after the age of three and the child is independent to speak and construct knowledge to deliver. This therefore makes it pivotal that language shape the mind and develop mental performances and functions for the learning experience to be transformed (Daniels, 2005).

So, does language shape the mind?

The Whorfian theory clearly influences that culture and language are mostly responsible for the perception of knowledge as it controls your mind. It can be measured that speakers from different languages have different mental concepts.