Hwa Chong Institution
EL Strand One 2012
Prepared by Mrs Jenny Wong
“ What is in a name? That which we call a rose
By another name would smell as sweet.”
-William Shakespeare.
Would it have made a difference to the story had Romeo fallen
in love with “Harriet” or “Edith,” not “Juliet”?
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When you hear names like “Ah Keong,” “Hussein,” or
“Balakrishnan”, do particular associations come to mind?
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Where do these connotations come from?
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Are these assumptions true in the same way that saying
triangles have three sides is true?
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What would your view be of someone you just met who
presents you with a business card with a name accompanied
by MD? CEO? Miss/Mr? Ph.D?
How might others’ preconceptions of your name (or
nationality, religion, skin color, etc.) affect how they perceive
you?
“ With a knowledge of the name comes a distincter recognition
and knowledge of the thing.”
-Henry David Thoreau.
American author, poet, philosopher
By the end of this lecture, students should be able to understand:
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Language is a rich and complex thing;
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Language can be non-verbal;
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Language can be an objective and transparent tool for
communication AS WELL AS a value-laden system of persuasion with
varying implications;
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Language may not correlate perfectly to the `real world’;
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The subtleties and difficulties associated with the concept
`meaning’ in language;
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The arguments for and against the position that language can affect
thought;
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The possible links between language, experience and identity.
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First, decide what language is.
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Second, consider the functions of language.
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Third, consider how important language is in the
transmission of knowledge.
Fourth, consider how well/accurately can language transmit
knowledge.
Fifth, consider where does thinking fit in.
Which of the following may be classified as Language?
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Snoring
Talking in your sleep
Reading poetry aloud, alone on a mountain
Unintentional screaming in pain
Screaming for help
A dog barking
A three week old baby crying
A traffic light working
Jargon, slang, dialects
Basic Description of Language
A method of communication using a system of symbolic
representations, either spoken, written or in gestures, where
signs stand for things or ideas which might have no direct
connections. They refer to things or ideas, stir associations of
ideas and create stimulus and response of language
behaviour. They have culturally agreed meanings.
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Must language communicate? What can it communicate?
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Are there means of communication other than language?
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Is there anything that cannot be communicated by language?
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Must language be an activity using the vocal chords?
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Can language be compared with other human forms of
symbolic representation, such as conventionalized gestures,
sign language for the deaf, dance, painting, music or
mathematics?
What do `the Chinese or English language’, `body language’
and `the language of bees’ have in common?
Exercises
(to show the strength and limitation of using written language):
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“It’s a hot day and I would like a cold drink of water.”
Express this sentence in picture language or sign language.
Write a list of instructions for tying a shoelace.
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A `black man’ and `nigger’ might refer to the same person,
but one is clearly considered offensive and unacceptable
(although it is interesting to note that black people use the
word `nigger’ themselves but in this context it is not
considered racist).
Denotation:
 The most literal and limited meaning of a word, regardless of
what one may feel about it or the suggestions and ideas it
implies.
Connotation:
 The suggestion or implication evoked by a word or phrase
over and above what they actually mean or denote. A
connotation may be personal and individual, or general and
universal.
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The denotation of the word `nigger’ is a black person, but
the word has racist connotations.
Word Choice
 Does it seem to be appropriate to the purpose of the description?
 Is it denotative, factual language, or is it connotative and
suggestive?
 What emotions are expressed?
 What values, positive or negative, are expressed or suggested? Is
there evidence of bias?
The choice of words in the description may tell you more about
the writer or speaker’s values than about the person, thing or
idea being described.
Context
 In what context has the description been placed, and how might this
framing affect the overall meaning of the description? What does its
purpose seem to be?
Match up the different words which mean the same thing:
Us
Them
Settlement
Invasion
Maximise marketing potential
Manipulate vulnerable consumers
Legitimate force
Acts of terrorism
Cuddly
Fat
An unfortunate incident
A callous massacre
Provide enhanced employment
opportunities
Exploit workers
Committed
Fanatical
Free-thinking
Immoral
Thrifty
Miserly
Security assistance
Arms Sales
Clever
Cunning
Language could be:
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Informative-affirms or denies propositions, describe or
reason about the world.
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Expressive- depends on attitude, mood, a way of expressing
feelings, direct expression of thought.
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Directive- causing or preventing certain action.
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Ceremonial- rituals, no meaning away from the ceremony.
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Performative- An action performed with words, such as the
act of thanking when someone says, “Thank you.” A speech
act, also called an illocutionary act. Such active expression
could be linked to one’s identity or position.
Rhetorical-a question asked for a purpose other than to
obtain the information the question asks. No response
intended.
In other words, Language could be a Way to:
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transmit information
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express emotion
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give commands
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make requests
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show honour and respect, or disdain and disapproval
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register an opinion or to make a statement
“ One of the most powerful aspects of language is the way it is
used to make simple classifications: `animals’; `courage’;
`blue’.
One of the most dangerous aspects of language is the way it is
used to make simplistic classifications: `Third World ’;
`fascist’; `terrorist’; `communist’.”
-Anonymous
“If thought corrupts language, language can corrupt thought.”
-George Orwell
An English Author and Journalist
“Language is not only the vehicle of thought, it is a great and
efficient instrument in thinking.”
-Sir Humphrey Davy
A British Chemist and Inventor
"Socrates held that if a man knew anything, he could give an
account of it to others ..."
Xenophon, Memorabilia iv, 6, 1, tr. Guthrie.
"And that which we know we must surely be able to tell?"
Plato, Laches 190c, tr. Jowett.
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Michael Polanyi, a philosopher of sciences, argues that
informed guesses, hunches and imaginings are part of
exploratory acts that are motivated by what he describes
as 'passions'. They might well be aimed at discovering
'truth', but they are not necessarily in a form that can be
stated in propositional or formal terms. As Michael Polanyi
wrote in The Tacit Dimension (1967), we should start from
the fact that 'we can know more than we can tell '. He
termed this pre-logical phase of knowing as 'tacit
knowledge'.
Tacit knowledge comprises a range of conceptual and
sensory information and images that can be brought to
bear in an attempt to make sense of something.
According to Michael Polanyi, many bits of tacit knowledge
can be brought together to help form a new model or
theory.
Source: http://www.infed.org/thinkers/polanyi.htm
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If we speak a different language, do we see a different world?
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Is a translation from one language to another really possible?
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Three Problems of Translation:
Context
Untranslatable
Idioms
Context:
The meaning of a word in a language is partly determined by
its relation to other words.
For example, to understand what the word `chat’ means in
English, we also need to be aware of related words such as
`talk’, and `gossip’, and `discuss’; each of which has a
different shade of meaning.
Untranslatable Words
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Every language contains words that have no equivalent in
other languages, and can only be translated by lengthy and
inelegant paraphrase.
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For example, the English word `quaint’ has no very precise
equivalent in other languages.
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`Schlimmbesserung’ (German) means an improvement that
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`Rojong’ (Indonesian) means the relationship among a group
actually makes things worse.
of people committed to accomplishing a task of mutual
benefit.
Idioms
A colloquial expression whose meaning cannot be worked
out from the meanings of the words it contains. For
example,
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“Don’t beat about the bush” or “He was born with a silver
spoon in his mouth”.
How could we translate the following idioms into another
language?
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“David is barking up the wrong tree.”
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“Samuel was only pulling your leg.”
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“Danielle is resting on her laurels.”
It was claimed that when Pepsi Cola ran an advertising campaign in
Taiwan, they translated the slogan: “Come Alive with Pepsi” into
Chinese. The campaign was deemed a flop because when the slogan
was translated back into English, it read, “Pepsi brings your ancestors
back from the dead.”
( Source: http://www.snopes.com/business/misxlate/ancestor.asp )
More problems with translation:
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The manager has personally passed all the water served here.
(Mexican hotel)
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The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret
that you will be unbearable. (Romanian hotel)
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Ladies may have a fit upstairs .(Hong Kong tailor shop)
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Fine food expertly served by waitresses in appetizing forms.
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For sale: an antique desk suitable for lady with thick legs and
large drawers.
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Wanted. Man to take care of cow that does not smoke or
drink.
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Have several very old dresses from grandmother in beautiful
condition.
Mixing bowl set designed to please a cook with round bottom
for efficient beating.
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and
community.
To what extent can grammar and sentence structure help to
reduce the ambiguity of the following sentences?
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Dinner Special ─Turkey $2.35; Chicken or Beef $2.25;
Children $2.00.
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Now is your chance to have your ears pierced and get an
extra pair to take home, too.
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For those of you who have children and don't know it, we
have a nursery downstairs.
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Don't let worry kill you ─ let the church help.
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The hotel has bowling alleys, tennis courts, comfortable beds,
and other athletic facilities.
Irony
Saying one thing in order to mean the opposite. It adds another
layer of ambiguity to language.
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Nice weather, heh?
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Any more bright ideas, Einstein?
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Mother will be so happy to hear what you have done now.
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Language has implied meanings. For example, figurative
language.
Metaphors and similes
Explain the difference between the two following sentences:
“My brother is a butcher.”
“My dentist is a butcher.”
Which of the following are qualities of the mind, and in which
cases are they properties of the objects?
The drink is sweet.
She is sweet.
The knife is sharp.
He is as sharp as a knife.
It is a hot day.
This curry is hot.
We are in love.
This drink is fizzy.
This is an excellent film.
Here is a hard chair.
This is a hard exam.
He is intelligent.
Weasel words
Empty words designed to deceive or mask, rather than
communicate.
Explain how weasel words are used in each of the following:
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“Our product can restore up to 25% of lost hair.”
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“Probably the best beer in the world.”
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“Dentifresh toothpaste helps fight tooth decay.”
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“If Timothy works hard, he should do himself justice in the
final exam.”
Euphemisms
Mild, indirect, or vague terms used to substitute what are
considered harsh, blunt, or offensive
List some euphemisms for `lazy’, `ugly’ and `stupid’. And then
try to explain why the substituted words are more `acceptable’
terms.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Efficient
Manipulative
Quick
Lies- fallacies
Precise
Limited-refer to translations
Flexible
Misunderstood
Creative
Ambiguous
Emotive
Jargon
“If you can’t say it, you don’t know it.” -Hans Reichenbach
(Philosopher of science, educator and proponent of
logical empiricism)
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Must we use language to think?
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Does/ Can language restrict our thinking? If so, how? If not, why
not?
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Argue for or against Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis.
In its simplest form, Sapir-Whorf hypothesis theorises that the
way we experience the world is shaped by our pattern of
language , that is, we organise the world in accordance with a
socially-agreed scheme that is encoded in our native language,
and that we have no choice but to organise our world in this way.
Sapir –Whorf’s Language Determinism Hypothesis:
(American linguists and anthropologists Edward Sapir and
Benjamin Lee Whorf)
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Language determines our experience of reality.
We can see and think ONLY what our language allows us to
see and think.
Questions:
 Is it the case that the more we know, the more we see?
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How does a deaf person learn language? How well can such a
person learn language?
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Linguistic determinism is the idea that our thoughts are
completely limited by our language.
This theory posits that we live in different worlds when we
speak different languages. And that this accounts for the
differences in answers, attitudes and thoughts. Thus, if your
native language is English, you think in English. And if
Chinese, you think in Chinese. Our language shapes our
entire world view.
(Refer to the examples from the interview of bilingual
Japanese women living in America and the Inuit who have
many different words for `snow’ ).
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There is some merit to the claim that aspects of language need to be
developed before certain skills.
Consider the role of language in our everyday lives. If we have words
for certain things then it makes effective communication and easier
action.
For example, a surgeon, would require a highly specialised and
technical sub language to effectively communicate with those in the
same field. The training of the professionals requires the learning of
this sub language or dialect to be skilful.
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Likewise, a complex mathematical equation cannot be discussed
without employing the symbolic language of algebra.
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In the same way, we cannot imagine a lawyer arguing a case without
being familiar with legal language.
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The previous examples suggest that we need to develop
relevant aspects of language before we are able to think or be
skilled in the various areas of knowledge.
It does seem unimaginable for one to be an expert in certain
skills without having the language developed for them. Does
it then mean that one’s skills and thoughts are dependent on
language?
If so, it would then suggest that different natural languages
will lead their users to thinking about nature in completely
different ways.
And if so, it would then suggest that native speakers of
different languages see the world in a completely different
way from each other.
This would support linguistic determinism.
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Critics of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis have argued that thought is
possible without language.
It’s been argued that the reason there are not many words for
`snow’ in English is that it doesn’t snow very often in England.
Should people require a more discriminating `snow’ vocabulary,
they do invent words or borrow them from other languages.
Critics also disagree that the Inuit have different experiences of
reality because they have lots of different words for `snow’. They
argue that such assumption is fallacious as it would be like saying
printers have different experiences of reality because they have
different kinds of words for different print fonts.
If language determines thought, it is unclear how new words ever
enter a language, or how language could have arisen in the first
place.
However, just because it seems that Sapir-Whorf’s argument is
invalid, it does not mean that its conclusion is totally wrong.
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Critics of Sapir-Whorf hypothesis would rather posit that
language influences rather than determines thought.
Studies have shown that babies can think without the benefit
of language. That babies have significant amount of 'core
knowledge' hardwired into their brains.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/sciencenews/3341166/Harvards-baby-brain-research-lab.html
Some creative people claim that language plays only a
secondary role in their thinking and that their ideas first come
to them in images. As Albert Einstein himself said, “ The
words of a language as they are written and spoken do not
seem to play any role in the mechanisms of my
thought….Conventional words or other signs have to be
sought for laboriously only in a secondary stage.”
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When we say, “No, that’s not quite what I want to say” and
then try to express with greater clarity, it suggests that our
thoughts are there prior to language and that we are simply
trying to find the right words to express them.
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So, while it is true that studies have shown that some kind of
pre-linguistic thought is possible, it does not determine
thoughts. A baby having a basic concept of number before
speech would still need the appropriate mathematical
vocabulary to do multiplication or equations.
Complex thinking is closely connected to language. It would
be hard to have abstract ideas if we did not have the
appropriate vocabulary to convey them.
Therefore, although language may not determine our
experience of reality, as claimed by Sapir- Whorf hypothesis, it
certainly influences it.
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Language is far from simple and straightforward.
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Language has no intrinsic value, but a socially-constructed
purpose.
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Humans are unique in their ability to use language. Animals have
signs and signals for certain biological needs and functions (and
arguably even emotions), but none develops a subtle and
nuanced system of spoken language as humans.
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Human language is multi-faceted and intimately related to the
human experience.
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Language can be a means of communication AND
miscommunication.
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Language is linked to values.
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Language is linked to thought.
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The relationship between language and meaning is complex.
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Knowledge Issues:
In most statements heard, spoken, read or written, facts are
blended with values. How can an examination of language
distinguish the subjective biases and values which factual
reports may contain? Why might such an examination be
desirable?
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Alchin , Nicholas. Theory of Knowledge. London: Hodder Murray, 2006.
Boyce, Craig . `Problems of language and language and thought’ ( November
2006)
Results of Poor Cross Cultural Awareness:
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/culturalservices/articles/Results%20of%20Poor%20Cross%20Cultural%20Awareness.h
tml
ToK Ways of Knowing: Language
http://bhs.davis.k12.ut.us/pdf/IB/Ways_of_Knowing_language.pdf [Accessed
26th January 2012]
Way of Knowing Language by dbrooker
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/dbrooker-805704-way-ofknowing-language/ [Accessed 26th January 2012]
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Identify_and_dicuss_the_functions_of_language
[Accessed 26th January 2012]
“A Way with Words: Do languages help mold the way we think?” By JR Minkel
http://www-psych.stanford.edu/~lera/press/sciam/
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“Japanese Politeness: The Interplay of Language, Culture, and Thought” by
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“Today’s World: The Baby Lab”
Eileen Dombrowski and Lester B Pearson College:
http://www.historyhaven.com/TOK/Japanese%20language.htm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/3341166/Harvardsbaby-brain-research-lab.html