Language

Question 1

What ideas about language and perception did Whorf propose?

Answer 1

• Language influences perception

- The words you use influence your thoughts

Question 2

What is the weakest form of Whorf’s hypothesis?

Answer 2

That language primes thought

• Languages with emphasis on gender encourage thinking about gender
• Languages with many tenses encourage thought about time

Question 3

What is the stronger form of Whorf’s hypothesis?

Answer 3

That language constrains thought

- If you don’t have a word for it it’s harder to think about it

Question 4

What is the strongest form of Whorf’s hypothesis?

Answer 4

That language alters perception

• Words can alter what you hear, see or remember
• If you don’t have a word for a colour you can’t see it

Question 5

What evidence is there of gender affecting perception?

Answer 5

• People more likely to describe words with terms associated with gender
• People with gendered language more likely to remember word when given name consistent with gender

Question 6

What genders to english speaking children tend to assign?

Answer 6

Artificial objects - male

Natural things - female

Question 7

How is spatial perception influenced by language?

Answer 7

Language spoken in Northen Australia communicate in absolute direction and so do not use relative terms

Question 8

How does language affect colour discrimination?

Answer 8

• Discrimination across perceptual categories is better than within categories
• Different languages often have a different number of colour categories and boundaries