Question

What are some reasons to discredit the strong form of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

Option 1: Lack of empirical evidence supporting linguistic determinism.
Option 2: Cultural and social factors play a more significant role in shaping thought than language alone.
Option 3: Counterexamples of bilingual individuals who switch between languages without significant cognitive shifts.
Option 4: Advances in cognitive science and psychology suggest that thought processes are not entirely bound by language.

Answer 1

The strong form of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is discredited due to lack of empirical evidence for linguistic determinism, the significant role of cultural and social factors in shaping thought, evidence from bilingualism, and insights from cognitive science.

Step-by-step explanation:

There are several reasons to discredit the strong form of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. One of the reasons is the lack of empirical evidence supporting linguistic determinism, the idea that language strictly determines thought. Cultural and social factors, instead, are shown to have a significant impact on shaping thought, suggesting that language is just one of many elements influencing cognition. Additionally, the existence of bilingual individuals who can switch between languages without undergoing cognitive shifts undermines the hypothesis. Lastly, advances in cognitive science and neuropsychology reveal that while language influences thought, it does not imprison our cognitive abilities.