a) Thought is a kind of behaviour, speech, which originates from

speech production (verbal or non-verbal).

Proponents of the theory

b) Tought is defined as subvocal speech or

behaviour.

Children having no speech production can comprehend and

think.

Theory 1: Speech is essensial for Speech comprehension, which implies thought, develops from
thought speech production in normal children

Inadequacies of the Simultaneously speaking aloud while thinking about

something different commonly occurs in everyday life
theory

Telling a lie

Meaning and thought occur

withoutbehaviour

a) The language system, with its rule or vocabulary, is

necessary for thought

b) Thought was derived from speech

Proponents of the theory production

Interpreting between languages can be

done

Theory 2: Language is essensial for c) Thought is supposed to be language-specific and not

thought universal

Deaf persons without language can

think

Inadequacies of the Multilinguals are whole

theory persons
Four theories regarding dependence of
thought and culture on language Intelligent animal behaviour occurs without
language

Proponents of the theory One’s knowledge of vocabulary or syntax influences one’s

perception and understanding of nature.

Perception, interest, and need determine

Language, Thought, and vocabulary
Culture Colour and snow
vocabulary
Theory 3: Language determines or shapes our perception of Hopi ‘time’ and Chinese
nature ‘counterfactuals’
Inadequacies of the
theory Lack of vocabulary does not indicate lack of
concept

Knowledge overrides literal word

meanings

Multilinguals’ view of
nature

a) Even if language is somewhat distinct from thought,

nevertheless, knowing a language will itself condition and
Proponents of the theory influence one’s cultural, social beliefs or views of the world.

b) Language does provide a view of culture and society and an

outlook on the world.

Theory 4: Language determines or shapes our world Same language yet different world
view views

Different languages yet similar world

Inadequacies of the views
theory Same language but world view changes over
time

Multilinguals have a unitary world

view

Erroneous belief 1: Their analysis of language is

adequate

Erroneous belief 2: The meaning of words is linguistics in

Erroneous beliefs underlying the four origin
theories
Erroneous belief 3: There are primitive languages and primitive
human intelligence

Thought is independent of
language

The best theory: Thought is independent of The development of thought precedes the development of
language language

The notion of ‘thinking in language’ is a

fallacy