I have to admit that I was not necessarily excited about starting this book, yet even the introduction and preface served as an invitation to the reader. In the preface, however, S.I. Hayakawa poses the question "Do the words we utter arise as a result of our thoughts, or are thoughts determined by the linguistic systems we happen to have been taught?" I daresay that I understand the first half of this question, yet fail to truly comprehend the second. Is he suggesting that our upbringing and background limits our thought processes because of the speech we are accustomed to hearing? For example, if one's parents speak incorrectly in front of the child, will he/she think differently than the child whose parents are greatly concerned with correct grammar and speech?
(Samantha Maliha)
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"Do the words we utter arise as a result of our thoughts, or are our thoughts determined by the linguistic systems we happen to have been taught?"
The first thing I thought of when I read this was "newspeak" from the book 1984 (underlined). The goal of newspeak was to limit the vocabulary of the people, and, in that way, to limit their thoughts and make rebellion virtually impossible. Would that really work? I don't think completely. Look to page 78 in S.I. Hayakawa's book-- I think that picture is a good explanation of how our vocabulary plays a role in the thoughts we can form, and how our thoughts can help form our words, as well. I think, also, that part of the evolution of language is in the creation of new words. I know from personal experience that if I feel that I need to express myself, I will not limit myself to my vocabulary, but, rather, I will make up new words or express myself through noises. So, if a person has something that they really want to say, they will get it out in some form or another.
About the second half of the question, I believe that the linguistic systems we happen to have been taught play a role in the thoughts that we can form, but they are not an insurmountable barrier to the formation of new thoughts. For example, words can have connotations, negative or positive, influencing a person's thoughts merely by the way in which they are used. But, if a person feels (italics) that something needs to be said, language can be surpassed or adjusted and that person will find some way to express himself. On the other hand, this can only happen when a person is willing to be persistent-- many people are willing to just give up easily and not try to express their thoughts because they feel that they are impossible to get across.
(Emily Thompson)
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