Re: thinking with no lang???
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Originally posted by dj0s
Maybe our whole intelligense is based on our languages..
I would tend to disagree with this notion.
Firstly, linguistic communication is only one form of communication. It is certainly not the only form, and depending on context and circumstances may not be the "best" form either in certain situations.
Also, not all cultures have the same "words". Many times a word will exist in one culture for which there is no exact translation into another language. So if language was the base on which all intelligence was formed, this would seem to imply that one culture would be more intelligent than the other based solely on the fact that they have a word or concept expressed in language that the other does not. To me, such a notion is unfounded to say the least.
The last point I would like to make is that often language fails us. There are numerous time when I will have a thought formulated in my mind, but I fail to correctly convey that thought through language. At times this can be very difficult to do. If it were true that these thoughts were formulated by language, then it would be very easy to convey to others. But that is not the case, and sometimes (more often for some than others I am sure), thoughts are not formulated by language. If you have never had this experience, I am sure that in time you will, as once again my language fails me to convey what it is like.
This is particularly true of some artists who use paintings, music, etc, as a means to convey what cannot be put into words.
I do not deny that language plays some role in the development of intelligence, but to say that "our whole intelligence is based on our language" is to me a gross under-estimation of the mind.
Just some of my thoughts
Language effecting mathematical thought
Here are some thoughts on how language effects mathematical abilities
Stevehatten wrote
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Before the words are formed in your head, you get an impulse (the true thought) which quickly translates into words, but doesn't have to.[/b]
I like that notion. I feel the exact same way.
There was this study of some people native to areas around the Amazon rainforest. Their language didn't have any mathematical terms or concepts. Later, the people were tested on their math abilities and did very poorly.
The conclusion that they came up with is that math can be effected by language.
I tend to think more like Stevehatten though. I feel that you really don't need language to visualize electrons moving through the air for example. That is just an example, but you can mentally picture most things happening and think about it like that. For thoughts like these, the words are necessary only if you want to convey that thought to another person. You don't need words to explain something to yourself since you're the one who mentally sees it.