Do the limits of language determine the limits of thought?

Question

Essay Im working on: Do the limits of language determine the limits of thought, and if so, can one control the limits of thought by controlling the limits of language?

any comments?

EDIT: refer to george orwell 1984, where the party eliminated in a many decades proccess words like freedom and all releated, in such way that the citizens couldnt even have thoughts of freedom

Answer 1

This is a relative question...Thoughts have no "limits" per se; and the language you use if only effective in communicating your thoughts if the person you're communicating with is able to relate to your languange/ comprehend you on the level you intend. So my answer would be: The limits of language can determine an individuals communication of a thought.

Answer 2

First, define the "limits of language." Is this something that is perceived, or assumed as fact?

Considering there is literature that may devote pages upon pages to describing something simple, I have to think that our amount of words, as well as the number of possible combinations, give us the ability to express a limitless amount of ideas. I would argue that human intellectual capacity limits language more than the other way around.

Answer 3

Sometimes I notice that I think in words, like if I'm going over a bunch of errands in my head, I will be saying to myself, 'Okay, pick up some lettuce and tomato at the grocery store...' However, when I'm remembering something or creating a scenario in my head, it will be more of a visualization than words.

Anyway, language is kind of custom-made to suit our brains and convey our thoughts and ideas. We are pretty good at inventing new words for new ideas (like 'blog' is a fairly new word) so I don't think that language inhibits thought. Language changes and grows to accomodate thought.

Answer 4

The limits of language limit the EXPRESSION of thought, although "genius" in the arts and literature is usually finding a new way of expressing a relationship or an idea in a way that had not been thought of before.

Answer 5

I often think in pictures.