Linguistic Relativism

Yulinda Eka Susilawati (14320081)

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Definition

 The Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis,

popularly known as the Sapir-Whorf
hypothesis, or as Whorfianism, holds
that the structure of human
language effects the way in which an
individual conceptualizes their world.
 Philosophers
Benjamin Lee Whorf (1897-1941)

 Benjamin Lee Whorf was an American linguist.

 Originally educated as a chemical engineer,
he took up an interest in linguistics late in his
life, studying with Sapir at Yale University.
 He managed to become one of the most
influential linguists of his time, even while still
working as a fire inspector for the Hartford
Fire Insurance Company.
 Edward Sapir

 Born in Germany, Sapir was brought to

the United States in 1889 at the age of
five.
 As a student at Columbia, where he work
ed with Franz Boas, he received a Masters
in Germanics and a PhD (1909) on the
Takelma language, spoken in Oregon.
Concept of Linguistic Relativism

 Language structures have a determining

influence on the thought processes of
their users.
 The structures of different languages
can differ in important ways.
 The structures of languages are stable w
ith regard to their users and can not b
e changed by individual speakers.
 Thank you 

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