The Relation of Habitual Thought and Behavior to Language Benjamin Lee Whorf

By : M. Zammad Aslam

Linguistic Determinism Edward Sapir

Differences in structures of language actually determine the different views societies have of the world. Language of a culture shapes the way its speakers see the world. The people name the world differently, emphasizing different aspects depending what is most relevant to their way of life. Our idea o reality is constrained by the linguistic forms available to us. Real world to a large extent built upon the language habits of the group.

Benjamin Lee Whorf's Qs of Study

Are our own concepts of time, space and matter given in substantially the same form by experience to all men or are they in part conditioned by the structure of particular languages???
Are there traceable affinities between (a) cultural and behavioral norms and (b) large-scale linguistic patterns????

Benjamin Opines.

Naming affects Doing

We reflect, analyze and classify things by linguistic description

Example of linguistic conditioning of behavior

our cautious behavior to gasoline drums and our careless behavior to empty gasoline drums

Grammatical Patterns as Interpretations of Experience

The

grammar of Hopi bore a relation to Hopi culture The grammar of European languages bore European culture. The interpretations of experience can be in subjectivity and objectivity.

Grammatical patterns as interpretations of experience

Plurality and Numeration

SAE: spatial aggregates, metaphorical aggregates, concept of time is objectified as counted quantities
HOPI: plurals/cardinals for objective group only, no metaphorical aggregates, ordinals used with singulars for successive reappearance

Nouns of Physical Quantity

SAE: individual nouns/mass nouns, mass nouns individualized by binominal formula i-e form+formless (body-type, name of container) HOPI: no concept of mass nouns, all nouns individual/plural forms, generality of statement convey through verb/predicator e.g water and a water

Phases of Cycle

SAE: subject/object, subjective experience of real time is objectified in manner of spatial configuration and binominal formula HOPI: cycle phases as adverbs, a part of speech, no case form or locative pattern so not used as subjects/ojects

Temporal Forms of Verbs

SAE: tenses, objectification of time/duration, sensous and non sensous HOPI: no tenses or objectification of time, verbs have no tense, verbs have validity form, aspects and clause-linkage forms.

Duration, Intensity and Tendency

SAE: metaphorical expressions, physical metaphors extend to symbols of nonspatial meanings HOPI: no physical metaphors for non-spatials, conjugational and lexical means express them, no analogy for imaginary space, tensors

Habitual Thought in SAE/HOPI

SAE microcosm analyze reality in terms of things, substance/matter SAE microcosm tends to see existence through binominal formula HOPI microcosm analyzed reality in terms of EVENTS/EVENTING Events refer in subjective/objective way

Objectively.perceptible physical experience

Subjectively.physical and non physical (events are considered the expression of invisible intensity factors An emphasis rests on PREPARING/BEING PREPARED

Habitual Behavior Features of HOPI Culture

Emphasis on PREPARATION Preparing behavior divided into:

Announcing Outer preparing Inner preparing Covert participation persistence

Impresses of Linguistic Habit on WESTERN CIVLIZATION

Newtonian space-time-matter Form-plus-substance dichotomy Objectified view of time

Historicity Records keeping Calendars Clocks Wages Prorata allocation of value of time Saving time leads to high valuation of speed

Character of monotony and regularity

Regularity evinces false sense of security and our careless behavior to it

Gesturing serve to illustrate non-spatial reference our language handles by metaphors or imaginary space. E.g grasping idea and grasping doorknob Gesturing leads to Kinesthesia
Synesthesiasynthesize non-spatial experience by a spatial one e.g tones of color,a taste of dress, music to suggest scenes hapiness, suspence etc

Historical Implications
SAE

The growth of SAE language-culture complex dates ancient time. Much of its metaphorical references to non-spatial was already fixed in ancient languages(Latin) As in Latin the direction of development happened to be from spatial to non-spatial Thus later languages strongly mimic Latin that objective experience is prior to subjective. Such patterns interweave with mechanical inventions, industrialization and scientific thought and need for measurement, value of time etc. bring our thought and language into present form.

Historical Implications
HOPI

Peaceful agriculture society

Isolated by geographical features

Threat of nomad enemies Arid agriculture in land of scanty rainfall successful by utmost perseverance Necessity for collaboration Corn and rain as primary criteria of value Need of extensive preparations and precautions to assure crops Keen realization on dependence on nature favors--- prayers and religion directed toward ever-ended blessing of rain

Conclusions

Concepts of time and matter are not given in substantially the same form by experience to all men but depend upon the nature of language through the use of which they have been developed.
There are connections between cultural norms and linguistic patterns, between the kind of linguistic analysis employed and various behavioral reactions and also the shapes taken by various cultural developments.