3.
5 Newspeak
Self-guided lesson support
Slide Question or activity
1 Title page
3 Starter
★ Can you know something without having a
word for it?
4 Nineteen Eighty-Four
★ Why do you think language is being used (and
changed) in this way?
★ What does this suggest about the relationship
between the extent of language and thought?
5 Untranslatable words?
★ Why is it hard (impossible?) to translate these
words into English? Can you think of more
Guidance and pointers
Create a Google Doc, with the title 3.5 Newspeak. Copy the learning objective
of the lesson.
If you think the answer is ‘yes’, you need to be able to provide examples. But
can you do without having the words for it…?!
Newspeak is all about control: control the way in which people communicate,
and the words available to express ideas and emotions (freedom, love, etc.), you
will control their behaviour. If you reduce the extent of language, and reduce the
extent of thought. Clearly this suggests that there is a very close relationship
between language and knowledge.
The article suggests that some words - and the knowledge they convey - are
culturally-specific. In other words, they exist in some societies, but not in
others. This means that the way we think depends on the type of language
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 examples?
★ What does this suggest about the relationship
between the type of language and thought?
6 Linguistic determinism & relativism
★ How valid do they seem?
★ Do they match up to your personal
experiences of language?
7 Further exploration
8 Exit
★ Submit your conclusion from Slide 7.
★ Are you a linguistic determinist, relativist,
both, or neither?
9 Linking the lesson to the course
available to us.
Return to the starter questions: can a thing exist without the words to label it?
Can we actually answer this question (how can we use words to refer to
something that it isn’t possible to put into words?) Do you feel and think
differently in different languages? Etc.
Link linguistic relativism to moral relativism - from our last Big Question.
Similarities? Differences?
Strater individually for this, and then work online with another student from
your class. Follow the instructions carefully. Spend around 20-30 minutes to
research and develop a position on this question. Record your ideas on the
handout - you’ll be receiving feedback on your conclusion to this task.
Please submit your answer to Google Classroom. I’ll provide feedback.
This slide helps you to link the lesson to relevant aspects of the TOK course (ie
the core and optional themes, the areas of knowledge, and the two assessment
tasks).
©theoryofknowledge.net 2020
10 Exploring deeper ● Use this slide to access the ‘Exploration Points’ notes for BQ3, which
will help you to develop a deeper knowledge of any TOK theme or
area of knowledge.

● This will not only help you to take ownership of the TOK course, but
also craft a great exhibition or essay.

● Your teacher will be able to provide more guidance on how to use this
resource.

©theoryofknowledge.net 2020