For hundreds of years scholars have been pondering on the interconnection of language and thought with in some points corresponding and in some points differing results. Two important protagonists in this discussion were Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767-1835) and Leo Weisgerber (1899-1985), whose positions to this question I am trying to set out in this paper. As the theme is very complex, I shall at least attempt to point out some aspects, which seem especially important to me. All the authors I consulted agree that Humboldt’s theory cannot be comprehended without considering the philosophical background. Not being a student of philosophy, conceiving this part of the paper was very difficult for me. I tried to do my best by picking out those aspects of his philosophical ideas which I thought indispensable for the understanding of his doctrines.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Wilhelm von Humboldt
2.1. Humboldt’s Linguistic Relativity Theory
2.2. The Purport of Language
2.3. The Basis of Humboldt’s Linguistic Doctrines
2.4. The Process of Linguistic Determination
2.5. The Influence of Variation among Languages on Thought
2.6. Aspects Determining the Designation of Language
2.6.1. Lexical Designation
2.6.2. Grammatical Designation
3. Leo Weisgerber
3.1. The Relation of Language to Cognition
3.2. The Law of the Sign and the Law of the Field
3.3. The Theory of Grammar and the “Weltbild”
3.3.1. The Word Classes
3.3.2. The Sentence
3.3.3. The Capacity of Languages to Organize Thought
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the linguistic relativity theories of Wilhelm von Humboldt and Leo Weisgerber, exploring how their work suggests that language shapes thought and creates distinct worldviews for its speakers. The research investigates the philosophical foundations of Humboldt’s doctrines and Weisgerber’s linguistic field theory to address the interdependence of language, consciousness, and cognition.
- The philosophical foundations of Wilhelm von Humboldt’s linguistic relativity.
- The process of linguistic determination and its impact on thought.
- Leo Weisgerber’s theory of the "Weltbild" (world picture) and semantic fields.
- The role of word classes and sentence structures in shaping reality.
- The comparative impact of German and French as case studies for linguistic dynamism.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2. The Purport of Language
Humboldt regards language as a product, but also as a process, the latter aspect being of more importance to him. That is why historical linguistics, though taken into consideration in his writings, is of secondary interest to him. He demands language to be examined at every single point of its development regardless of the historical dimensions. Humboldt accepts Kant’s theory of knowledge and applies the principles of Kant’s concept of objectivity to the problem of language (cf. Miller 1968:25).
For Humboldt language is a creative act of the mind, not the mere appending of words on ideas detached from these words, which enters into the cognitive process itself. This heuristic power of speech is very important for Humboldt because in this act of synthesis language becomes an object to the consciousness, and produces an effect on it. What happens is that thought (formless and struggling for clarity) becomes embodied in sound, and language is formed (cf. Miller 1968:26).
The process is the following: the mind gathers an advantage from the physical property of speech sounds, and through their mediacy the flux of experience becomes ordered and words are formed. The word then is the minimal unit capable of expressing the content of language. Language, however, must not be seen just as a “collection of words”, its most far-reaching characteristics are articulation and structure (Gliederung) (cf. Miller 1968:27). Articulation is defined as the process by which the formless thought-mass and the equally formless sound-mass meet and become ordered into the components of language. Structure adds clarity.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: Outlines the complex connection between language and thought, establishing the focus on Humboldt and Weisgerber as key historical figures.
2. Wilhelm von Humboldt: Examines Humboldt’s life and his foundational thesis that language functions as a creative cognitive act that organizes experience into meaningful units.
2.1. Humboldt’s Linguistic Relativity Theory: Discusses the hypothesis that language creates limits for the individual mind by fixing the direction of thought.
2.2. The Purport of Language: Explores language as a dynamic process rather than a static product, emphasizing its role in the cognitive synthesis of thought.
2.3. The Basis of Humboldt’s Linguistic Doctrines: Details the primary hypotheses regarding the dependence of human thought on linguistic structures.
2.4. The Process of Linguistic Determination: Explains how pre-articulated thoughts are transformed into concepts through the development of language.
2.5. The Influence of Variation among Languages on Thought: Analyses how different national characters and linguistic forms lead to diverse worldviews.
2.6. Aspects Determining the Designation of Language: Defines how language categorizes things and concepts through both lexical and grammatical means.
2.6.1. Lexical Designation: Explains how words directly or indirectly designate concepts and objects.
2.6.2. Grammatical Designation: Discusses how grammatical signs interconnect concepts to form complex thoughts.
3. Leo Weisgerber: Introduces Weisgerber’s development of semantic field theory and his expansion on Humboldt’s "Weltbild" concept.
3.1. The Relation of Language to Cognition: Investigates how language intervenes between reality and human consciousness to structure our understanding of the world.
3.2. The Law of the Sign and the Law of the Field: Explains the structural laws that govern how language manages and organizes conceptual content.
3.3. The Theory of Grammar and the “Weltbild”: Discusses the role of grammar and word classes in shaping the cognitive classification of reality.
3.3.1. The Word Classes: Analyzes how different word classes represent disparate modes of cognition.
3.3.2. The Sentence: Looks at how sentence structure serves as a primary unit for organizing coherent thought.
3.3.3. The Capacity of Languages to Organize Thought: Compares French and German to illustrate tendencies toward abstraction versus dynamic activity.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes the key similarities and differences between the two scholars and reflects on the challenges of translation and defining "thought".
Keywords
Linguistic Relativity, Wilhelm von Humboldt, Leo Weisgerber, Weltbild, Cognition, Language, Thought, Semantic Field, Linguistic Determination, Grammar, Worldview, Conceptual Units, Articulation, Designation, Philosophy of Language.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this work?
The work focuses on the linguistic relativity theories of Wilhelm von Humboldt and Leo Weisgerber, examining how their philosophies define the relationship between language, cognition, and our perception of reality.
What are the central thematic areas discussed?
The main themes include linguistic determinism, the formation of worldviews (Weltbild), the role of grammar and vocabulary in cognition, and the synthesis of thought through language.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The primary goal is to present the core ideas of Humboldt and Weisgerber regarding how different languages organize human experience and to explore the limits of linguistic translation.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The paper employs a qualitative analysis of primary and secondary philosophical texts to reconstruct and compare the historical arguments of the two linguistic thinkers.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the "Purport of Language," the "Process of Linguistic Determination," the "Law of the Sign and the Field," and the specific impact of grammar and sentence patterns on cognition.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Linguistic Relativity, Weltbild, Cognition, Semantic Field, and Linguistic Determination.
How does Weisgerber define the “law of encompassment”?
Weisgerber uses this law to describe how conceptual contents are grouped within a sentence, which he believes provides insights into how languages promote disciplined thinking.
In what way does Humboldt distinguish between "sensual" and "non-sensual" objects?
He differentiates them based on their origin, where "sensual" relates to direct physical perception, while "intellectual" or non-sensual objects are developed through higher cognitive synthesis.
What is the paradox the author mentions in the conclusion?
The author highlights the paradox of writing an essay about the impossibility of perfect translation while being forced to translate and synthesize German source material into English.
- Quote paper
- Kathrin Ehlen (Author), 2006, The Relativity Principle in Language, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/173791
