Optional Theme 1: Knowledge and Language

Introduction

Language is a medium through which we pass on most knowledge. You could ask yourself how much you would know if you had no language to gather or express knowledge. Our daily language is heavily influenced by the discourse of the most dominant groups in our communities, even though we may not always be aware of this fact. The language we speak can be used to pass on knowledge and values that exist within our community, but it also influences to some extent how we know.

Image https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P2uGB_gWjn-PNvLEwx764BiX2Szh7b-B/view?usp=sharing

Image https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CfMQ_154HIuX3FpQHWpdJQ-ghIwSkin8/view?usp=sharing

Even though the limitations of the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis's linguistic determinism have been pointed out, new research (eg by Boroditsky, see below on this page, under the section "lost in translation") reveals how the language we speak may shape the way we think. Some speakers of Aboriginal languages have excellent orientation skills due to their linguistic use of absolute cardinal directions, for example. The Japanese legal system seems to be structured differently from the Anglo-Saxon system, which reflects the linguistic differences between the respective languages' causality structures.

The connection between language, thought and knowledge is so profound that it also leads to a connection between language and power. This leads to a connection with another optional theme: Language and Politics. Through language you can influence and shape thought. You may subconsciously alter the way people speak and think. The political power of language is apparent in propaganda, linguistic stereotyping and through verbal nuances such as euphemisms versus pejorative language employed by politicians. Interestingly, you may not always be aware of the extent to which your knowledge and identity have been shaped through language. Your discourse may oppress people from different communities or advocate certain ideas.

We use language to make sense of the world and to pass on knowledge. In a sense, language can be seen as a (metaphorical) map we use to represent what is really out there, regarding the natural world as such, as well as more abstract ideas. When we speak, for example, we utter sounds that form words and sentences. These words generally refer to something else. For example, you can utter the sound "cat" to refer to a four legged furry animal. The word "cat" is the "signifier", the actual animal itself, is the "signified". The way in which we use language to refer to something else is called the "denotational" quality of language. When we use language, we often have a generalised, simplified or personalised idea in mind. When you have a pet cat, you are probably thinking of your particular cat, when you say the word "cat". Likewise, when you say "tree", or "breakfast" or "school", you will most likely think of concepts that you have some sort of personal experience with. A breakfast in your part of the world could, however, be very different from what people eat elsewhere. This illustrates that the words we use may mean different things for different people. In addition to these denotational differences (what language refers to), language can have different connotations. These connotations are additional ideas and associations on top of the literal meaning. We sometimes have the choice between several words to refer to the same thing. Each word will express a different type of nuance or connotation. The particular word you choose to talk about something may influence the connotations that surround the meaning of what you refer to. In that sense, language is not neutral. For example, if you want to soften the "negative" or "informal" connotations surrounding the word "to pee", you can use an euphemistic (softer sounding) expression such as "to go to the bathroom," or "to powder your nose". For topics that are taboo (such as "sex", "death", "bodily functions"), we often use such euphemistic expressions. We can also manipulate how people think about important issues by playing with connotational language. If you want to play down the associations of violence associated with war, you can use expressions such as "collateral damage" instead of "bombing a village", "ethnic cleansing" instead of "genocide", or "inoperative combat personnel" for "dead soldiers". To influence opinion surrounding abortion laws, you can use an expression such as "pro life" or "pro choice". Either expression has clear emotional connotations (as well as intrinsic false dilemma), although they essentially refer to the same thing. We can use pejorative (very negative) language to talk about people and things we don't like. We can use sexist and racist language to reinforce stereotypes.

So why does this matter in TOK? If we rely so heavily on language to convey ideas and pass on knowledge, it is important to be aware of the fact that the connection between language and thought is less straightforward than may appear at first sight.

Language and Thought: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CMUp_3iz_Dke8x6Y7Xa08S5mDVYfjflE/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102303112386118913028&rtpof=true&sd=true

How Language Shapes the way we think: https://youtu.be/RKK7wGAYP6k