武汉理工大学：《英语言学》课程教学资源（PPT课件讲稿，英文版）What is Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

What is Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis English0301定亚丽

What is Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis English 0301 定亚丽

Edward Sapir(1884-1939) 垂 Phonograph maoe b Edward sapr cn a vst to :he Norem Les

Benjamin Lee Whorf (1897-1941)

Questions Do speakers of languages think differently e Do the differences in thought stem from the linguistic differences? or, are the differences in thought due to cultural (non-linguisic)infuences?

Questions:

Sapir whorf hypothesis The structure of one's language influences the manner in which one perceives and understand s the world Therefore, speakers of different languages will perceive the world differently

Sapir Whorf Hypothesis • The structure of one’s language influences the manner in which one perceives and understand s the world • Therefore, speakers of different languages will perceive the world differently

The relation of Habitual Thought behavior to language Are our own concepts of time, space, and matter given in substantially the same form by experience to all men or are they in part conditioned by the structure of particular languages 2) Are there traceable affinities between(a)cultural and behavioral norms and(b) large-scale linguistic patterns?

The Relation of Habitual Thought & Behavior to Language 1) Are our own concepts of time, space, and matter given in substantially the same form by experience to all men, or are they in part conditioned by the structure of particular languages? 2) Are there traceable affinities between (a) cultural and behavioral norms and (b) large-scale linguistic patterns?

A Thought about Our World We tacitly buy these claims -witness politically correct language hearing impaired"(not deaf) senior citizens'(not old) vertically challenged(not short

A Thought About Our World… • We tacitly buy these claims - witness politically correct language: -“hearing impaired” (not deaf) -”senior citizens” (not old) -”vertically challenged” (not short)

A, Possible Relation Between Language l-r thought Dont you see that the whole aim of newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make thought crime literal impossible because there will be no words in which to express it. >-George Orwell, 1984

A Possible Relation Between Language & Thought “Don’t you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end, we shall make thought crime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it…” - George Orwell, 1984 QuickTime?and a TIFF (LZW) decompressor are needed to see this picture

Degrees of whorfianism Linguistic Determinism(strong Whorfianism) Language determines our perception of the world Linguistic Relativism (weak Whorfianism)=La nguage biases our perception of the world

Degrees of Whorfianism • Linguistic Determinism (strong Whorfianism) = Language determines our perception of the world • Linguistic Relativism (weak Whorfianism) = La nguage biases our perception of the world

Which type of Whorfianism does sound perception support?

Which type of Whorfianism does sound perception support?