Linguistic Relativity and the Language Learning Process.

R. M. Schwarcz

ResearchPublished 1966

A five-stage analysis of the language-learning process, and an investigation of whether this analysis supports or contradicts the Whorfian hypothesis of linguistic relativity. The syntactic constructions of a language influence the types of conceptual relationships that the child perceives. Words and phrases grouped together by the conventions of the language have a determining effect on conceptual representations associated with them. This effect is somewhat mitigated by the transformational phase of language learning, which opens up the full range of stylistic devices available in a language, thus extending the number of percepts and concepts that may gain expression in that language. However, earlier perceptual and conceptual habits will probably persist throughout a person's adult life unless he is forced to change by some new experience, such as the mastery of a different language. 13 pp. Ref.

Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web Only
  • Year: 1966
  • Pages: 13
  • Document Number: RM-5210-PR

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Schwarcz, R. M., Linguistic Relativity and the Language Learning Process. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1966. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_memoranda/RM5210.html.
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