Whorf-sapir Hypothesis

Definition of Whorf-sapir Hypothesis

The Canada social science dictionary [1] provides the following meaning of Whorf-sapir Hypothesis: The assertion that the concepts and structure of languages profoundly shape the perception and world view of speakers. Rather than just being a means of expressing thought, language is claimed to form thought. Thus, people of different language communities will see and understand in different ways. Developed by Benjamin Whorf and Edward Sapir in the 1930 and grew out of contact with the Native languages of North America. Most sociologists regard the theory as too deterministic and stress the dynamic way in which language responds to social and technical transformation of society.

Whorf-sapir Hypothesis: Resources

Notes and References

• Drislane, R., & Parkinson, G. (2016). (Concept of) Whorf-sapir Hypothesis. Online dictionary of the social sciences. Open University of Canada