Final answer:
Language is a complex system that influences and communicates abstract concepts, not just a simple reflection of the natural world. It is shaped by and shapes the societies using it, as postulated by the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The discussion about the relationship between language and reality suggests that language is not solely a set of symbols mirroring the natural world but a complex system that shapes and conveys abstract concepts, including feelings and relationships. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis posits that the particular language one speaks can influence the way they perceive and think about reality. This is because different languages have distinct ways of categorizing and expressing the world and abstract ideas.
For instance, the English language relies on twenty-six letters to construct a vast array of meanings, but the way these letters are combined follows a series of complex grammatical rules that are often intuitively understood by speakers.
Languages are not just collections of referential terms; they enable humans to communicate about a wide range of topics including abstract concepts. These communication systems are shaped by and continue to shape the societies that use them. The old theory that language merely reflects the natural world fails to account for the varying ways different languages divide and interpret reality, and the ways they are used to discuss abstract and complex topics.