Language and thought 2500-EN-CS-E-10
With over 7000 distinct languages in the world differing on every level of structure, human language is the most varied communication system in the animal kingdom. Is this variation somehow reflected in how we think? Are there fundamental cognitive differences between people that could be attributed to the languages they speak? In this course, we review existing evidence for linguistic relativity (also known as Whorfian effects), according to which language plays a critical role in shaping thought. We discuss specific case studies of linguistic variation from across a wide range of domains, e.g., space, color, grammatical gender, attempting to link it to variation in different aspects of cognition, including perception, memory, and reasoning.
The class will cover language and thought research from a wide range of domains. These will include: speech sounds, sound metaphors, color, smell, spatial frames of reference, time, events, number, false belief understanding, grammatical gender, and nominal classification. The last three to four classes will be dedicated to work on various aspects of students’ research proposals. Course timetable with scheduling of topics and readings will be provided at the beginning of the course.
Classes will include presentations by the lecturer and student discussions. Students are expected to complete assigned academic readings, actively participate in class discussions, give short presentations, and provide constructive feedback to other students.
Learning outcomes
_W01 Student knows at an advanced level fundamental differences between languages across selected semantic domains and variation in cognitive task performance among speakers of diverse languages
K_W05 Student knows at an advanced level interrelations between linguistic and cognitive diversity, evidence for language's influence on thought, and how they mutually shape human functioning
K_U01 Student can search for, select, and critically analyze scientific literature from various areas of cognitive science using advanced bibliographic tools and databases, comprehensively evaluating the quality, reliability, and relevance of the arguments.
K_U02 Student can integrate knowledge from psychology and linguistics to formulate complex research questions relating to the interrelationships of language and thought
Assessment criteria
a) Assessment methods: Final written test (a mix of multiple-choice and short open-ended questions); one presentation of an assigned reading with facilitation of class discussion based on key themes from the reading; one presentation of a research project idea on the theme of linguistic relativity.
b) Components of the final grade and their weights
Final written test (50%)
Presentation of reading with facilitation of discussion (25%)
Presentation of research project idea (25%)
To pass the course, students must achieve at least the minimum passing grade (i.e., 3) on the final written test.
c) Grading scale
95% or more = 5!
90-94% = 5
80-89% = 4.5
70-79% = 4
60-69% = 3.5
50-59% = 3
below 50% = 2 (fail)
d) Requirements for retaking the assessment: not applicable
e) Exams in the exam session
i) Requirements for taking the exam: not applicable
ii) Possibility (and requirements) for retaking the exam in case of a positive grade: tests cannot be retaken in case of a positive grade
iii) Early Exam Session (“Zerówka”): not applicable
Two absences are allowed. Additional absences require a note from a doctor or an exceptional personal circumstance.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: