Communicating through language, November 3, 2003

Wilhelm von Humboldt was probably the first philosopher to talk about the linguistic determinism. About a hundred years later, in the 1920’s, Edward Sapir took this idea and expanded on it. Along with his student Benjamin Lee Whorf, they were questioning on the connection between language and thoughts. Later on, their hypothesis will affect the whole world including philosophers, teachers and scientific researchers. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis summarizes that language plays a crucial role in the perception of a human being. It influences the behaviour and the thoughts of someone whom learnt certain language. He also states that human don’t really have a choice in choosing the language they get to learn. The path has already been established by their culture, the nation where they were raised.

I personally agree with their statements. Language does in fact play a major role in our lives, including the way we communicate with others, express our feelings and understand the meanings of reality. However, I find that they have exaggerated the importance of language. They claim that without language, there will be no knowledge as nothing can be declared and expressed; thus, no communication and no understanding, which are two major parts of knowledge. Though, who invented language during the time where language does not exist? During the time of orthodoxy (not needing to think), it exists no knowledge because there weren’t any existent languages at that time. Therefore, it is not possible for humans to invent the first word, for there is no knowledge to cause such creation. Also, some classmates stated that scientific researches showed that babies will die if they do not communicate. It also shows that without language, we would die. However, the famous Helen Keller who was blind, speechless and deaf, survived many miseries and miraculously lived through her life and understood human relations. If this girl whom had no way of communicating but touching succeeded in her life, why can’t other babies (who at least have their senses) succeed in communicating also?