1. Linguistic determinism Linguistic relativity Whorfianism Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Edward Sapir & Benjamin Lee Whorf

2. We use words for thinking Words are units of thought Our thinking is restricted by these units of thought and how they can be combined

3. Example Complex addition We can imagine 3 + 2 without numbers but we cannot imagine 368 + 273

4. Critique Words are formed by our thoughts More complex thinking creates more complex language structures

5. Examples - Pre-verbal babies can add - Some people report visual flashes on genius - feelings

6. Weak version: “that linguistic categories and usage influence thought and certain kinds of non-linguistic behavior.” Wikipedia: Linguistic Relativity

7. Final words How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg. - Abraham Lincoln