4 ms·

And just when I'd finally flushed Sapir-Whorf out of my system...

• david927 13y ago
  From what I understand, the original Sapir-Whorf thesis (now the strong version) was (correctly) discredited because it was about language limiting and determining thought. The weak version, that it influences the way we think, is now widely accepted.
  • aadsam 13y ago
    Widely accepted is stretching it. There are very few linguists who believe there's enough evidence to support the weak hypothesis.
  • vortmeester 13y ago
    You could rephrase the weak version to make it undeniable (if banal): the whole point of language is to influence the way others think! If I want to create thoughts in your brain, language is a pretty effective means. (I got this from Stephen Pinker's books.)