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Semantics and cognition
Cliff Goddard1, Anna Wierzbicka2
1School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Cognitive Science
|August 25, 2015
Summary
Language shapes thought by encoding culture-specific concepts acquired in infancy. This linguistic semantics overview explores the contested relationship between language and cognition, highlighting language
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Linguistic Semantics
- Psycholinguistics
Background:
- Language contains complex, culture-specific concepts acquired early in life.
- These concepts are integral to daily cognitive processes for most individuals.
- The influence of language on thought remains a debated topic in cognitive science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of the language-and-thought debate.
- To examine the role of linguistic semantics in understanding cognition.
- To synthesize current perspectives on how language influences thought.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of linguistic semantics.
- Analysis of conceptual encoding in language.
- Exploration of the intersubjective sharing of concepts.
Main Results:
- Language encodes a vast array of complex, culture-related concepts.
- These concepts are fundamental to everyday human cognition.
- The precise role of language in shaping thought is still contested.
Conclusions:
- Linguistic semantics offers a valuable perspective on the language-thought relationship.
- The pervasive nature of language-based concepts suggests a significant cognitive role.
- Further interdisciplinary research is needed to resolve the debate on language and cognition.
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