Poll: "Language is the dress of thought" Dr Samuel Johnson

Italianbro

Human beings do not live in the objective world alone, nor alone in the world of social activity as ordinarily understood, but are very much at the mercy of the particular language which has become the medium of expression for their society. It is quite an illusion to imagine that one adjusts to reality essentially without the use of language and that language is merely an incidental means of solving specific problems of communication or reflection. The fact of the matter is that the 'real world' is to a large extent unconsciously built upon the language habits of the group. No two languages are ever sufficiently similar to be considered as representing the same social reality. The worlds in which different societies live are distinct worlds, not merely the same world with different labels attached... We see and hear and otherwise experience very largely as we do because the language habits of our community predispose certain choices of interpretation. (Sapir 1958 [1929], p. 69)

willbut

Mr Sapir suggests that Dr Johnson was wrong- do you agree, ItalianBro?

charuta

i disagree with this sentence as sometimes the man with good learning qualification may hide his or her true personality in the disguise of good and polished language.

brittany

HI

brittany

I love engilsh

NR

Language is the stuff of thought.

Anna

I agree!!! It's just obvious!!! It's practically the only way to express our opinion....

perla pacheco

cause english is international language

Sarah

language is indeed a good expressions of thought

shradhakaul

Language echoes your sentiments...and dresses up your emotions..

jakezkiers

Language is a means of communication. we cannot express our thoughts and ideas wuthout using the language.

kier

i Dis agree... if you said that language is the dress of thought.. and it is the only way to express our opinion...."THEN HOW COULD YOU EXPLAIN BRIEFLY .. that there are SOME PERSONS WHO HAD A "HANDYCAP", and not gifted to speak? ..

kier

"NO" ... we can still express our thought without using language...
"JUST THINK ABOUT THE PERSONS WHO HAD A "HANDYCAP" .. and not gifted by the ability to speak?

Rukuma

For thought process also language is required.

methode alain butoyi

Yes indeed. Language is the language of thought and more. The choice of words you make when you speak or write not only express your thought process. Such words as "prince", princess, king, queen, sweetheart, my honey..." represent an elevated state of mind. In the realm of hierarchy, you come across as suave, affable, well bread. Choosing negatively charged words such as insults, cursing, on the other hand, will make people feel as though they were dealing with Joe Streetwalker.

Rick Mastronardi

Language is at the same time the "dress" and "fabric" of thought.