Mentalese

Questions discussed:

What does Pinker think about the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?
Do you believe his argument instead? Would it have made a difference if
I had you read Pinker first and the other packet second?

Do people really think in a language?

What is the difference between linguistic determinism and relativity?

What was the goal of Pinker including his spiel on colors in the chapter?
Why does that observation strengthen his argument?


In one class we discussed the possibility of language affecting one's
thoughts. In particular a psychology experiemnt was discussed which
involved testing stereotypes promoted by the use of third person singular
pronouns. We discussed the possibility that the random quirk in the
human language of using he as a default third person singular pronoun,
even when the sex of the person in question is unknown could possibly
affect one's thoughts. Or whether the thought are really being affected
by the cultural atmosphere, but not necessarily the language itself.

In another class we talked about the uses of language. The first item 
mentioned was communication, of course. We ended up discussion other
less obvious and necessary uses of language. Much to my disappointment,
none of the guys in the two classes we discussed this were able to recall
Mr. Keating's answer to this question from Dead Poets Society. (One girl
remembered however :)) He said it was, "to woo women." A more interesting
observation was made in both classes - perhaps once humans had the ability
to have abstract thoughts, some formalized system of language became
necessary to convey those thoughts. Tangible thoughts that only involved
objects that can be seen and actions that can be acted out can be conveyed
without a true formalized system of language. It is interesting to also 
look at all the current uses of language with respect to language's
origins.