The document discusses four inadequate notions about the relationship between thought, language, and speech: 1) Speech production is fundamental to thought. This is rejected because thought precedes speech in children and some think without speaking. 2) Language is necessary for thought. This is rejected because deaf people and animals think without language. 3) One's language determines one's views of nature. This is rejected because the same language can have changing meanings and multilinguals have different views. 4) One's language determines one's culture. This is rejected because the same language can describe different cultures and different languages can share cultural views. The document argues that language influences thought by providing new ideas, changing beliefs

1. LANGUAGE AND THOUGHT
PSYCHOLINGUISTICS: LANGUAGE, MIND, AND
WORLD.
(DANNY D. STEINBERG, 1982: 101-120)
Reviewed by:
Vivi Vellanita W. D.

2. We Will Discuss About:
Four inadequate notions concerning thought,
language, and speech
Where the use of language influences aspects of
thought
Language, the instrument of thought
Some faulty assumption underlying the inadequate
notions

3. Four Inadequate Notions Concerning
Thought, Language, and Speech
The principal formulations concerning
the relationship of language and thought, as
follows:
(1) Speech production or other behavioral
is fundamental for thought;
(2) Language is a fundamental basis of
thought;
(3) The language system per se provide
specifics of one’s nature; and
(4) The language system per se provides
specifics of one’s culture.

4. Speech production or other behavioral
is fundamental for thought
Notion 1:
Objections:
Thought is a kind of behavior, mainly
speech. This view rejected any notion that
affirms the existence of mental process
and its relevance to the causation of
behavior.
1. Speech understanding precedes speech
production in normal children
2. Speech understanding without speech
production in handicapped children
3. Simoltaneous speaking and thinking

5. Language is a fundamental basis of
thought
Notion 2:
Objections :
The language system forms thought or it
is necessary for thought. It is impossible
to develop a thing or knowledge without
language.
1. Deaf persons without language think
2. Multilinguals as unitary persons
3. Intelligent animal behavior and
perception

6. The language system per se provide
specifics of one’s nature
Notion 3:
Objections :
One’s knowledge of vocabulary or syntax
influences one’s perception and
understanding of nature.
1. Vocabulary and perception
2. Same language forms, changing
meanings
3. Multilinguals’ view of nature

7. The language system per se provide
specifics of one’s culture
Notion 4:
Objections :
If language is somewhat distinct from
thought, nevertheless, knowing a
language will itself condition one’s
cultural or social beliefs or views of the
world.
1. Same language, different world views
2. Same language over time and world view
change
3. Different language, similiar world views
4. One language can describe many
different world views
5. Multilinguals and world view

8. Some Faulty Assumption Underlying
the Inadequate Notions
• Surface structure doesn’t directly
represent semantic structure
• Meaning is not linguistic in origin
• The myths of primitive language and
intellect

9. Where the Use of Language
Influences Aspects of Thought
• Language may be used to
provide new ideas;
• Language may be used to bring
about a change in beliefs and
values; and
• Language may be used to assist
memory.

10. Language, the Instrument of Thought
What is the relation and development
of thought and language?
Language depends on thought,
and the function of language is
to provide a meaning for the
expression or communication
of thought.

11. Language, the Instrument of Thought
What are the function and nature
of the language system?
• To provide physical speech
sound as output, given a
particular thought as input.
• To provide a particular
thought as output (in the
mind) based on speech sound
as the input.

12. Language, the Instrument of Thought
Supposed thinking in a language
by this conception
The sound form is not
thought itself but simply
a secondary reflection of
it.

13. QUESTIONS???