To What Extent Is It Possible to Have Thought Without Language?

To what extent is it possible to have thought without language?

The answer to whether thought can be achieved without language is evidently an uncertain one. The words "thought" and "language", themselves contradict each other. Therefore it is clear from the start that there will be no clear answer to the question. Before I can go onto answer the question, a definition of both words is necessary.

Language can initially be defined as a form of communication. It is the ability to interact with others using vocals, sign, hand gestures, and many other forms. Furthermore language can be conveyed as a signal, for example a wave goodbye. This also provokes a question within in this; can a signal be classified as language? For example a traffic light gives a signal that is understood worldwide by man. Whether to drive or to stop, this signal is understood by all so therefore it is classed as a form of communication, it cannot however be expressed as language, it receives no response and no feelings or thoughts are conveyed. Although this is true, we cannot dismiss a signal as being a language. Chinese writing for example expresses language through the use of signals.

Language cannot be defined simply as communication. For example, ice communicates cold, and yet we do not count this as language. For language to be considered a form of communication in society, it has to follow certain rules. Language can only be conveyed as communication when words like adjectives are used within various different literary techniques to create a string of words into a sentence. However, language does not have to be words of those spoken or seen. Those with disabilities, for example those who are blind, use the Braille language to communicate, and develop an understanding of language. In comparison to this, the deaf use sign language, a method of communication where hand signals are exchanged, to express feelings and emotion to one another.

Moreover, thought is quite often linked with language. As an example, it is entirely possible when somebody is trying to explain a thought to somebody else to put what he or she is thinking into words.

My definition of language is "a complex form of communication made up of signals and words which have meanings".

Thought can b defined in many ways. Firstly, it could be defined as a verb "She thought the boy was good looking". Here it is used to express an opinion or a feeling,

Three further definitions of "thought" are simple, complex, and abstract. A simple thought is and idea or image in one's mind, for example if one were to be asked, "what is a duck?" an image would immediately come into one's head of a small aquatic river-bird (provided one had seen a bird before). A simple thought may also involve viewing an image or considering a command and undertaking it, for example going to sit down.

A complex thought is one that has combined many simple thoughts into one. For example, the pink duck sat on the blue pond. Here we can imagine a duck, that is pink sitting on a pond (that we know) that is blue, to complete one thought. Also, more ideas may come into this for example, lily pads on the pond due to our previous knowledge of what a pond may be.

An abstract thought it one that we has humans do not know exists but it is not material so therefore we cannot

picture it. Examples of this are truth, loyalty, beauty and victory.

To answer the question to what extent is it possible to have thought without language? We must assess different ideas where this may be possible.

Firstly, babies have the ability to look around themselves and interpret surroundings; however they are yet to develop the necessary language to convey their thoughts. This illustrates that it is possible to conceive images in the mind and interpret whereabouts without the need for language. Moreover it cries when it is hungry in order to get the mother to feed it, and