The relationship between language and thought
cognitive science perspectives
The relationship between language and thought has long been a topic in cognitive science, philosophy, and linguistics. The question is: Do we think in language, or does language merely serve as a tool to express pre-existing thoughts?
The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, named after pioneering linguists Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf, explores the connection between language and thought. It is commonly divided into two components: linguistic relativity and linguistic determinism.
Linguistic relativity says that the structure of a language shapes how its speakers perceive and interpret the world. In contrast, linguistic determinism is much more rigid and claims that language entirely governs thought, confining cognition within the limits of linguistic expression. Linguistic determinism has been largely dismissed due to insufficient empirical evidence.
The milder form, linguistic relativity, is widely accepted. Research indicates that language structure influences cognitive functions, including how we perceive colors, navigate spatial relationships, and conceptualize time.
Language and perception
Research has shown that speakers of different languages may perceive the same external sensory information differently, due to how their language categorizes those stimuli.
A classic example is the way languages divide the color spectrum. English, for instance, uses basic color terms like "red," "blue," and "green," where other languages, such as Russian, distinguish between lighter and darker shades of blue with separate terms. Studies have shown that Russian speakers are faster at distinguishing between these two types of blue compared to English speakers.
Similarly, languages with different ways of conceptualizing spatial relationships can lead to differences in how speakers think about space. For example, some indigenous languages, such as Guugu Yimithirr of Australia, use cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) instead of relative terms (left, right, in front, behind) to describe spatial relationships. Research has found that speakers of such languages are better at keeping track of direction and orientation due to the linguistic emphasis on geographical awareness.
Language and memory
Research suggests that our language influences how we encode, store, and retrieve memories.
One of the most famous studies in this area is the work of University of California Irvine psychology and law professor Elizabeth Loftus. She demonstrated how the language used in eyewitness testimony shape people’s recollections of events.
In her study, participants who were asked to describe a car accident using different verbs—such as "smashed" or "contacted"—reported different estimates of the speed of the vehicles and even recalled seeing broken glass when there was none. This finding underscores how language shapes the way we reconstruct our memories, making them susceptible to suggestion and other manipulation.
Language also aids in the organization of memory. For instance, we use language to label and categorize experiences, helping us to recall them more easily. Without language, our ability to structure and make sense of the world around us would be significantly impaired.
Language and problem solving
Cognitive science also shows that language plays a role in problem-solving. When confronted with a challenge, people often verbalize the problem or "talk through" possible solutions, either out loud or internally. This process helps to structure thoughts, clarify the problem, and organize potential strategies. For example, research has shown that people tend to think more clearly and effectively when they use language to break down complex tasks into manageable steps.
In some cases, however, language slows problem-solving. For example, the well-known verbal overshadowing effect refers to when verbalizing a solution interferes with nonverbal tasks, such as remembering the details of an image or solving a spatial puzzle. This shows that, while language is an important tool for organizing thought, it is not always the most efficient medium for certain kinds of cognitive tasks.
Bilingualism and cognitive flexibility
Another fascinating aspect of the relationship between language and thought is bilingualism.
Research has shown that bilingual people often exhibit greater cognitive flexibility and enhanced executive functions compared to monolingual people. The constant switching between languages provides mental exercise, improving the brain’s ability to control attention, inhibit distractions, and solve problems. Bilingual people also tend to have an increased ability to take on different perspectives, as they are accustomed to navigating multiple linguistic and cultural frameworks.
Interestingly, the influence of language on cognition may vary depending on the context. Bilingual people often switch languages based on the social context, and this ability to move back and forth between linguistic systems has broader cognitive benefits, leading to enhanced problem-solving abilities and greater adaptability in novel situations.
References
How Does Language Change Perception (National Library of Medicine)
Does language change the way our brains see the world? (Genetic Literacy Project)