Final answer:
The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests that language not only shapes but also limits thought, affecting how people perceive and understand their world through the constraints of their linguistic framework.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, language not only shapes thought but also limits it. This hypothesis posits that because people conceptualize the world through language, it is deeply intertwined with culture and affects how individuals perceive reality. As language constantly evolves, it provides a framework through which experiences and reality are interpreted. This hypothesis suggests that if a language lacks a word for a particular concept, then the speakers of that language may have a harder time understanding or even recognizing that concept as part of their reality. An example of linguistic relativity is how different cultures perceive and describe concepts like time, love, and even numbers.
Thus, the answer to the student's question is that language not only shapes thought but also limits it. This limitation can influence the behavior and cognition of the speakers within a particular linguistic community.