Rethinking of “Sapir—Whorf Hypothesis”

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis(SWH) is a great contribution to the study of the relationship between language and thought.This paper, with a dialectic view, aims to do some analyses to the SWH and arouse the readers the implications of the hypothesis on the second language learning. The analysis is based on explanations with examples. The final finding is that although it is subject to fierce controversy and scorn, SWH and our language leanings are inter-effected, and the cultural diversities behind it should be respected.

从Sapir-whorf Hypothesis到文化强势论——汉英对比看文化的制约性

Sapir-Whorf的语言决定论假说曾在很长一段时间居于学术界主导地位。但笔者却以为此理论存在一些不足之处,如夸大了语言的功能,解释力有限,忽略了语言的历时变化,以及无法解释语言变异等。而从语言与文化的关系来看,作者更倾向于文化影响语言,即语言差异源于文化差异。

Multi-Angle Exploration on the Inner Relationship among Language,Thought and Culture with “Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis”

“Sapir-Whorf hypothesis"holds that human thoughts are shaped by their native languages,and speakers of different languages think differently relevantly.The hypothesis is controversial partly because it seems to deny the possibility of a general principle for human cognition,and partly because some findings taken to support it have not reliably replicated.The author argued that considering this hypothesis through the lens of probabilistic inference has the potential to figure out both issues,at least with respect to certain prominent findings in the two languages—Chinese and English.After exploring on the inner relationship among language,thought and culture with the comparison between English and Chinese based on a series of examples including“numbers,Wuhan dialect and some different understandings of idioms”,the author made an inference that language can somewhat affect human thought under the different culture contexts.Besides,it also provides some reference for educators to take in-depth studies on the relationship among language,thought and culture,which is vitally significant for ESL educators and learners.

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis and Translation

Sapir-Whorf hypothesis has its implication in translation studies. Each language is a peculiar whole. It is a product, even an expression, of the spiritual personality and the cultural particularity. Translation is a kind of interlingual and intercultural communication. It involves not only the transference from one language into another, but a whole set of extra-linguistic criteria. In translating we are always crossing a greater or lesser barrier or divide.

Study on Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Language,thought and culture are closely related to one another. Both language and thought are culturally loaded and dependent,as culture is an almost all-inclusive complicated system with thought,views of the world,patterns of thinking,values,beliefs,customs and language as its underlying bases. Concerning the relationship between language,thought and culture,the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis might be the most significant but controversial one,attracting much attention yet arousing great contention. Thus,in this paper,my thesis focuses on studying language,thought and culture revolved around Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis.

Testing on Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

This paper demonstrates two versions of Whorf hypothesis by giving a conclusion of its commonality and differences. Besides, some classical experiments of testing the hypothesis are given and the author constructs an experimental model of testing the weak version of the hypothesis under the instruction of Carroll's three thinking.

The Revised Realization of Sapir:Whorf Hypothesis

There are a lot of arguments on Sapir-Whorf hypothesis in linguistics field,most of the scholars have given their own understandings toward this theory.It is easier to comment on a theory no matter what kind of theory it is,however,different views do not come from the same theory but different understandings of it,so writer think it is necessary to give a revised realization to the theory.

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis and Its practical meaning for English Learning

Spair-Whorf hypothesis as a famous theory in the linguistics of last century, which states that language determines thought. It does have great meanings to the study on the relation between language and thought. And it gives the new implications for the learners all around the world. People who use different languages have different world of views, and different ways of thinking. The theory has positive and practical function to the English learning.

浅谈Whorf语言假设——由APA语言变革分析语言对思维的影响

美国心理学会(APA)在其出版手册中提出了语言变革,期望这一变革能对人们的思想产生影响。本文从词汇、语法和认知三个角度探讨了语言和思维的关系,肯定了Whorf假设中弱势版本的合理性,即:语言对思维的影响在于影响人们获得某种思维方式的难易程度。

外语与外语思维

本文基于外语思维研究近两百年历程的回顾,探讨了其定义、特性和四大对立关系,并得出如下基本结论:(1)外语思维可定义为“基于客观事物本质属性和间接规律性联系的概括,外语使用者用外语构建概念、做出判断和完成推理的过程”;(2)外语思维除了语言思维应具备的“概括性”和“间接性”之外,还具备语言的主体融合性、客体依赖性和载体辅助性;(3)外语效应的应用可较好地解决外语思维研究中“母语与外语”“个性与共性”“能力与运用”和“形式与内容”等四大关系的对立。

语言范畴影响面部表情知觉的电生理学证据

本研究探讨了语言范畴影响面部表情知觉的时程及大脑偏侧化特点。采用从快乐到恐惧渐变的4张人类面孔表情图片为实验材料,以分视野呈现刺激的oddball范式设计脑电实验,并以分心任务使被试不注意实验表情图片之间的差异。实验结果显示,表情知觉诱发的ERP成分N1和N2上均出现了偏右视野-左脑表情范畴知觉,即在右视野呈现的条件下,范畴间偏差刺激比范畴内偏差刺激诱发了更大的vMMN效应,而在左视野呈现的条件下,两类偏差刺激诱发的vMMN效应无显著差异。这一结果表明表情范畴知觉发生在表情知觉的早期感觉水平加工及后知觉加工阶段,且具有偏右视野-左脑特性,提示语言范畴会同时影响早期、注意前表情知觉及后知觉加工,支持了沃尔夫假说。

Franz Boas and Edward Sapir

In this paper, the author mainly discusses the life of Franz Boas and Edward Sapir and their major contributions. Then does further discussions on Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis from different aspects.

短期习得的语言范畴使成人大脑右半球颜色范畴知觉转为左半球颜色范畴知觉

本研究探讨了色词与颜色重组训练能否让被试习得与真实情境相似的色词与颜色范畴联结,并引起相应的偏侧化颜色范畴知觉,从而进一步揭示语言编码对颜色范畴知觉的影响。采用六种蓝色作为材料。B1与B2为先前研究的两种蓝色。B11和B12,B21和B22分别为使B1,B2变浅和变深所得,四者是连续的蓝色。训练被试分别用"duān"和"kěn"命名B1和B2。由于被试可能习得色词与颜色范畴的联结,因此B12与B21为可能变范畴间颜色,B11和B12,B21和B22为可能变范畴内颜色。训练前后分别让被试完成一个视觉搜索测验。结果发现:前测中可能变范畴间颜色的辨别优于可能变范畴内颜色,且在左视野呈现时更显著;后测中可能变范畴间颜色的辨别同样优于可能变范畴内颜色,但在右视野呈现时更显著。这提示:(1)人们在知觉同一语言范畴的不同颜色时可能会区分深浅范畴,并因此引发右半球颜色范畴知觉;(2)短期习得的语言范畴能引起偏左半球颜色范畴知觉,且使右半球颜色范畴知觉转为左半球颜色范畴知觉;(3)被试在训练中习得了色词与颜色范畴的联结;(4)范畴学习可以在仅学习一个样例的条件下自动发生。

语言·思维·认知——再论沃尔夫假说

沃尔夫假说认为:语言影响甚至决定思维,思维模式随着语言的不同而不同。而“认知”假说则认为:语言和思维的关系虽然十分密切,但它们并非同源,而是有其各自的发展规律。在语言习得过程中,认识先于语言,思维决定语言;在语言使用过程中,存在无需语言外壳的思维。本文在对比上述两种语言思维观的基础上提出了自己的思考。

颜色范畴知觉效应发生在大脑两半球：来自纳西族和汉族的证据

采用色环搜索单任务和双任务范式,考察语言中区分蓝、绿的汉族和语言中蓝、绿混用的纳西族对蓝色和绿色的辨别是否存在颜色范畴知觉效应(Categorical perception,以下简称为CP效应)。结果发现:(1)纳西族对蓝色和绿色的区分比汉族困难,体现了语言的作用;(2)语言中蓝、绿混用的纳西族与语言中区分蓝、绿的汉族都出现显著的蓝绿CP效应;(3)两个民族被试的左视野的CP效应受到图形记忆次任务的显著干扰,说明左视野的CP效应与右脑激活有关。整个研究表明,颜色CP效应既存在普遍的知觉机制,也存在语言驱动机制,语言的作用存在直接效应。研究结果支持颜色词与颜色认知的相互作用理论。

习得的语言范畴影响颜色知觉的机制:来自ERP的证据

本研究以两个实验探讨了习得的语言范畴影响颜色知觉的机制。实验1让被试接受短期"色-词"重组训练,使原先范畴内的两种颜色变为范畴间的颜色,训练前后完成视觉搜索任务。反应时结果显示,在训练后,与训练的两种颜色近似的另外两种颜色的知觉表现出边缘显著的偏侧化颜色范畴效应。实验2让被试接受与实验1相同的训练后,完成视觉Oddball任务。ERP结果显示,在训练后,与训练的两种颜色近似的另外两种颜色的偏差刺激在早期知觉阶段就表现出偏侧化v MMN效应。这些结果表明:习得的语言范畴能影响早期的、注意前的颜色知觉机能,且这一影响过程可以在短期内完成;习得的语言范畴会影响颜色知觉范畴,而非仅影响特定颜色点的知觉机能。

右视野颜色范畴知觉是长期习得语言范畴还是即时分类颜色的结果?

本研究探讨了右视野颜色范畴知觉是由长期习得语言范畴还是即时分类颜色引起的。实验1让被试先将深绿、浅绿、浅蓝和深蓝四种颜色分为四种范畴,再接受视觉搜索任务。结果发现,视觉搜索任务中出现了与颜色分类相应的右视野颜色范畴知觉,且这一效应在任务的早段就表现出来,提示右视野颜色范畴知觉并非由分类颜色所引起。实验2让被试将四种渐进的蓝色分为两种范畴,并在之前与后接受视觉搜索任务。结果表明,分类后的视觉搜索中并未出现右视野颜色范畴知觉。先前研究表明,习得语言范畴使四种颜色为两种范畴后,颜色辨别会出现右视野范畴效应。因此,这一结果提示右视野颜色范畴知觉并非由分类颜色,而是由习得语言范畴所引起的。总体上,本研究提示右视野颜色范畴知觉是由长期习得语言范畴,而非即时分类颜色引起的,进一步揭示了语言与颜色知觉的关系。

习得的语言范畴对注意前颜色范畴知觉的影响:一项ERP研究

该研究探讨了语言范畴对注意前颜色知觉的影响依赖于语言范畴与颜色长期联结还是其即时分类颜色,同时检验了习得的语言范畴是否能因果性地改变早期颜色知觉机能。采用G1、G2、B1、B2(前两者为绿色,后两者为蓝色)4种连续变化的颜色为材料。学习组和分类组被试分别接受6次和1次色词与颜色重组训练,学习4种颜色不同的新名称,并在之后均接受视觉Oddball脑电测试。训练结果显示:学习组稳定地习得了4种颜色的新名称,分类组能以新名称将颜色分为4类。测试结果显示:学习组的颜色知觉中出现了与习得语言范畴对应的偏侧化注意前颜色范畴知觉,分类组的颜色知觉中未出现与颜色分类对应的偏侧化注意前颜色范畴知觉。研究结果表明:语言范畴对注意前颜色知觉的影响依赖于语言范畴与颜色长期联结而非其即时分类颜色;习得的语言范畴能引起偏侧化注意前颜色范畴知觉,提示习得的语言范畴能因果性地改变早期颜色知觉机能。

萨丕尔-沃尔夫语言相对论对语言文化对比研究的启示

萨丕尔-沃尔夫语言相对论对语言和思维、语言和文化的关系都做了比较详细地阐释,它主张语言影响思维以及不同的语言反映了不同的世界观。本文通过解析语言相对论中的文化观,围绕“语言和文化的主次”、“语言如何影响思维”和“语言文化对比研究中的“个性”与“共性”三个方面对语言文化对比研究问题进行思考。

颜色类别知觉效应的机制:语言的作用

颜色类别知觉效应(Category Perception, CP 效应)表明,在颜色之间物理差异距离相等的前提下,个体区分不同类别的颜色比区分同一类别的颜色更快、更准确。这一效应产生的机制成为普遍进化理论和Sapir-Whorf 假设之间争论的重要证据。支持CP 效应由语言驱动的学者提出了CP 效应单侧化、受语言即时任务影响、跨语言研究和神经生理机制等证据,以表明语言在CP 效应中起决定性的作用;支持CP 效应具有普遍性的学者以CP 效应双侧化、婴儿的CP 效应、跨语言的反证等证据提出了质疑。近年来,出现了第三种观点,认为在颜色CP 效应中语言驱动机制和普遍机制并存,这种理论是普遍进化理论和Whorf 假设的折衷观点。从支持CP 效应由语言驱动的证据、支持CP 效应独立于语言的证据以及支持两种机制并存的观点等三个方面入手,可分析颜色CP 效应的产生机制及语言在其中所起的作用,未来研究可从概念系统渗入知觉系统的角度进行拓展。