“LANGUAGE AND COGNITION”

Lecturer :
Dr. Sardian Maharani Asnur, S. Pd, M. Pd

Created by:
GROUP 2
GUSNAWATI. N 40300121040
ALDHITA DZAKIYYAH ADNAN 40300121049
WAFIQ AZIZAH 40300121051
PUTRI ANNISA 40300121056

ENGLISH AND LITERATURE DEPARTEMEN

ADAB AND HUMANITIES FACULTY
ALAUDDIN ISLAMIC STATE UNIVERSITY OF MAKASSAR
2024
A. Introduction

Language and cognition are intricately intertwined, forming the bedrock

of our ability to think, learn, and interact with the world. Cognition, the engine
driving our mental processes, encompasses all the activities involved in gaining
knowledge and comprehension. It's the invisible hand that sorts through sensory
information, builds memories, and allows us to reason and solve problems.
Language, on the other hand, acts as the bridge, enabling us to express the
products of this mental machinery. Through words, grammar, and structure, we
translate fleeting thoughts into a system that can be shared with others.
Understanding how these two aspects work together is like peering into the
workshop of the mind. By examining the interplay between language and
cognition, we gain insights into how we categorize the world around us, how we
reason logically, and ultimately, how we construct our understanding of reality.

This intricate relationship between language and cognition extends

beyond individual thought and into the realm of social interaction and cultural
transmission. Language serves as the vehicle for sharing not just fleeting
thoughts, but also accumulated knowledge, traditions, and beliefs across
generations. By narrating stories, formulating rules, and expressing emotions,
language allows a community to build a shared understanding of the world. This
collective understanding, in turn, shapes the way individuals within the
community think and interact. For instance, the vocabulary and grammatical
structures of a language may subtly influence how its speakers perceive time,
space, or social relationships.

Furthermore, examining the interplay between language and cognition

sheds light on the remarkable adaptability of the human mind. As languages
evolve and new vocabulary emerges, our cognitive abilities adjust and refine
how we represent and process information. This dynamic relationship between
language and cognition underscores the ongoing dance between thought and
expression, shaping not only our individual realities but also the collective
understanding of our world.

B. Language and Mental Representation

 Our minds don't directly perceive the world; instead, we construct mental
representations of our experiences. Language plays a crucial role in shaping
these representations. The words we use, the grammar we employ, and the
structure of our language all influence how we categorize and store information.
For instance, research suggests that languages with grammatical gender
(assigning genders to nouns) can influence how speakers perceive objects.
Speakers of languages with gendered nouns might categorize objects differently
than speakers of languages without grammatical gender.

Language and mental representation are two sides of the same coin in the
realm of cognition. While cognition is the engine driving our mental processes,
mental representations are the internal models we build of the world around us.
Language, in turn, acts as a powerful tool for shaping, refining, and expressing
these representations.

How Language Shapes Mental Representations:

 Categorization: Language helps us categorize objects, experiences, and

concepts. Words act as labels for these categories, allowing us to group
things with similar features together. For example, the word "chair"
represents a category of furniture with a seat and backrest. This mental
categorization helps us organize the world and make sense of our
experiences.

 Shaping Perception: Research suggests that language can even influence

how we perceive the world. Languages with grammatical gender (assigning
genders to nouns) may lead speakers to categorize objects differently than
speakers of languages without grammatical gender. This highlights how
language doesn't simply label pre-existing concepts; it actively shapes how
we mentally represent the world.

 Abstract Concepts: Language allows us to represent and reason about

abstract concepts that cannot be directly perceived. Words like "love,"
"justice," or "freedom" represent complex ideas that we can only grasp and
manipulate through language.
 How Mental Representations Influence Language:

 Understanding: Our existing mental representations heavily influence how

we understand language. When we hear a word, our brain activates the
relevant mental representation associated with that word. For instance,
hearing the word "apple" triggers a mental image of a red, round fruit.

 Production: Mental representations also influence how we use language.

When we want to express something, we select words that best represent the
mental image or concept in our minds. The richness and complexity of our
mental representations can directly affect our ability to express ourselves
clearly and effectively.

 Thinking: Language and mental representation are intertwined in the

process of thought. We use language to formulate thoughts, analyze ideas,
and reason about the world. This internal dialogue allows us to manipulate
and refine our mental representations, leading to deeper understanding and
problem-solving.

Understanding the intricate relationship between language and mental

representation is crucial for comprehending how we acquire knowledge,
process information, and ultimately, navigate the world around us. This
interplay sheds light on the remarkable flexibility of the human mind,
constantly shaping and reshaping our internal models through the power of
language.

C. Language and Thought

The relationship between language and thought has long been taken
seriously in varying academic fields from philosophy to psychology and
anthropology. In the early 18th century, neo-humanism emerged in Germany.
The representatives in the field of linguistics include Johann Gottfried Herder
and Wilhelm Von Humboldt. Herder held that how a nation thinks determines
how its people speak, and how people speak determines how they think.
Humboldt carried forward and developed Herder’s idea and later formed a
systematic linguistic philosophy. Humboldt believed that a language is the
 external embodiment of a nation’s spirit; a national language reflects the
national spirit; each language creates a fence around its nation, thus people are
restrained by their mother tongue and its world outlook. In short, Herder and
Humboldt held the same view that language determines thought

Based on Herder’s and Humboldt’s idea, Sapir and his student Benjamin
Lee Whorf raised their viewpoints on the relationship between language and
thought – the famous Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. Sapir Whorf hypothesis embodies
linguistic determinism (language determines thought) and linguistic relativity
(there is no limit to the structural diversity of languages). Linguistic determinism
consists of “strong” determinism and “weak” determinism. Sapir-Whorf
hypothesis opened the gates for linguistics and psychologists to further
investigate the relationship between language and thought.

After Sapir and Whorf, many linguists and psychologists also devoted
themselves to the study of the relationship between language and thought. With
their efforts, “strong” determinism and linguistic relativity in Sapir-Whorf
hypothesis have been proven to be indefensible. Many scholars have put forward
proofs to disprove these extreme views in Sapir-Whorl hypothesis; for example,
Eleanor Rosch’s categorization in cognitive linguistics, Georges Mounin’s
translatability in translation, Greenberg’s markedness theory, Herriot’s and
Hockett’s codability, as well as Berlin’s and Kay’s research on people’s memory
and response to focal colors.

D. Language as A Tool A Cognitive Development

Language is a powerful tool that shapes and enhances our cognitive

abilities. By using language, we can:

1. Think about abstract concepts: Language allows us to go beyond the

concrete and explore ideas that cannot be directly perceived. Imagine trying
to contemplate the vastness of space or the intricate workings of the human
mind without words. Language allows us to transcend the limitations of the
physical world and explore ideas that cannot be directly perceived. It
 provides a framework for grasping abstract concepts, analyzing them, and
even building upon them through complex reasoning.
2. Reason logically: Language provides a framework for constructing
arguments, analyzing problems, and drawing conclusions. Language offers a
robust structure for constructing sound arguments. We can use it to break
down complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts. By
verbalizing potential solutions and analyzing their strengths and
weaknesses, language empowers us to reason logically, draw valid
conclusions, and make informed decisions. This skill is crucial for scientific
discovery, critical thinking, and navigating the complexities of life.
3. Solve problems: By verbalizing problems and potential solutions, we can
approach challenges more systematically. When faced with a challenge,
language allows us to verbalize the problem itself and brainstorm potential
solutions. By talking through our thought process, we can approach
problems more systematically and creatively. Language fosters
collaboration, allowing us to tap into the diverse perspectives of others.
Through shared discussion and exploration, we can arrive at solutions that
might not have been possible alone.
4. Communicate and collaborate: Language is the foundation for sharing
knowledge, ideas, and experiences with others. This fosters learning,
innovation, and social connection. Language is the foundation for sharing
knowledge, ideas, and experiences with others. It fosters learning and
innovation by allowing us to build upon the collective wisdom of our
communities. Through communication, we can not only transmit
information but also spark new ideas, build social connections, and create a
more collaborative environment.
 REFERENCES

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Perlovsky, L. (2009). Language and cognition. Neural Networks, 22(3), 247-257.

Sapir E, 2002, Language: An Introduction to the Study of Speech, Beijing Foreign

Language Teaching and Research Press, Beijing.

Ünal, E., & Papafragou, A. (2016). Interactions between language and mental
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Whorlf BL, 1956, Language, Thought and Reality, The Technology Press of
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