Question

Does thinking take place without language? Discuss.

Answer 1

According to Benjamin Lee Whorf’s linguistic relativity hypothesis, the contents of thought are determined by language. Linguistic determinism suggests that the limits and possibilities of thoughts are also determined by language and linguistic categories.

However, according to Jean Piaget, thought precedes and determines language. An example is the imitation of adults by young children that is a manifestation of thought without language. He opines that language is one of the vehicles of thinking and thought is necessary to understand language.

The third view by Vygotsky argues that thought is used without language in non-verbal thinking and language is used without thought when expressing pleasantries. The overlapping of thought and language leads to verbal thought and rational speech.

Therefore, different views have been presented by different scholars, whereby some believe that thinking can take place without language and some believe that it cannot take place without language. However, it is important to note that thinking and language are interrelated processes.