Thinking and Language Reflection Worksheet

Name: Stephanie McGuffee |

Reflect on your understanding of the relationship between thinking and language.

Answer the following questions in 100-200 words each: a) How do individuals acquire and develop language? Philosophers have long argued whether language is innate or something you acquire. I believe that it is an acquired skill, simply because you could be a Mexican adopted into a white English speaking home from birth and never know a single word of Spanish. Language is something we are taught without even knowing we are being taught. If one certain language is spoken to us since birth that is the language we acquire and the language we will think in. I also believe that if you speak more than one language, you will most probably think in the language you first acquired.

b) How do you personally communicate your thoughts and how did you learn to do so? I learned to personally communicate my thoughts from the environment I was brought up in. My parents taught me pretty much all of what I know. They taught me to think before I speak, always say yes ma’am, no ma’am, etc. I was taught to be honest but not hurt anyone’s feelings which means taking into account who you are speaking to before you speak so that you use the right amount of respect. They have taught me a lot about effective communication and the effect that words can have on people. Words are something you can never take back once they are said, which is why I do my best to think about situations before I speak my views aloud.

c) Based on your own experiences, what are some symbols (e.g., letters of the alphabet) people use to communicate? From my own experiences, I have learned that people communicate in so many different ways. Some symbols people use to communicate can be shapes, colors, signs, and sign language. Some colors we use to