Language Preceding Thought

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews and discusses human language. According to the paper, human language as an ability is a very intricate competence that cannot be defined within a confined dynamic because it can modify into numerous structures and can be both recorded,signed and articulated. The paper reports that one of the most efficient and simplest ways to cover the dynamics of a language is by recognizing and defining its indispensable elements.

Outline:
Introduction
The Cognitive Approach
LRH: Summary
Thought Determines Language
Studies of Development
The Interdependence of Language and Thought
Summary

From the Paper:

"Numerous subsequent studies, over the years, have backed this notion. The group of studies now being mentioned mainly studies the relation of the recognitions of concepts with the application of language. Tomasello and Farrar (1986) in their study focused on the understanding of the relational terms such as 'gone', 'down' and 'up' while analyzing the growth of the idea of an entity's solidity. They concluded that the changes that occurred while the object was visible were more quickly observed as opposed to when the object was not visible. Sinclair-de-Zwart (1969) in her study mainly concentrated on the child's ability to save or store info that if and when an object modifies its shape, it does not, in affect, modify its volume or mass. She observed that if the children understood the terminologies related to the change then they were able to store the info and not otherwise. She also observed that the children if did not understand the meaning of the words, teaching them the use of the words was inconsequent. Hence, all these studies support the understanding of thoughts and concepts for the effective use of language."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bellugi, U., Bihrle, A., Jernigan, T., Trauner, D. and Doherty, S. (1991). Neuropsychological, neurological, and neuroanatomical profile of Williams syndrome. American Journal of Medical Genetics Supplement, 6, 115-125.
• Boroditsky, L. (2001). Does language shape thought?: Mandarin and English speakers' conceptions of time. Cognitive Psychology, 43, 1-22.
• Eysenck, M.W. and Keane, M.T. (2000). Cognitive Psychology (4th edn). Hove: Psychology Press.
• Furth, H. (1971). Linguistic deficiency and thinking: research with deaf subjects 1964-69.Psychological Bulletin, 75, 58-72.
• Harley, T.A. (2001). The Psychology of Language: From Data to Theory (2nd edn). Hove: Psychology Press.

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