Speaking in Thought, or Thinking in Language?

Chomsky is famous for his work on language, and how it is based on instinct, and not learning. A language develops naturally in any human environment, and are all based on a common syntax, consisting of nouns, verbs, etc. Therefore, all languages are equal; no language is more complex, or better, than any other. (Pinker, 2006, p.44)

I would like to propose, however, that language is not a tool designed for communication, but rather language would exist even for someone living in seclusion, with no other people around ever in his existence.

Before I can explain this, we need a good definition of language. Is language by definition a form of communication through speech? We can agree this is not true, citing American Sign Language (ASL) as our counterexample. So, what does define a language? Wikipedia defines language as "a system of finite arbitrary symbols combined according to rules of grammar for the purpose of communication" (. I would like to contend that this communication need not be for between people, but rather between the environment and the mind.

The grand majority of the time, we not only speak in language, but we think in language. Think about your thought: does it not form real concrete sentences? Language plays an integral role in our thought process; we do not simply think of going to the store, we actually say to ourselves in our head "Should I go to the store?", and the brainstorming session accompanied with this is also in language. There are actually only very few times that language does not penetrate our thoughts.

I believe that this is proof that language is not only an interpersonal tool. Our minds NEED words for everything (which we happen to have as vocal sounds) because otherwise we have no point of reference. Humans are born with the curse of being self aware, but also not having the intellect (if anyone ever could) to understand where we are, when we got here... the meaning of life in short. We have to make up for this lack of knowledge by quickly creating a web of our surroundings: now we KNOW where we are, even if this answer only soothes the mind. This helps orient us so that we can lead our existence without further wondering what existence is.

So where does this place the Universal Grammar, the creator of all language, the syntax of which all languages are composed? I would contend that the Universal Grammar does not exist, but is simply how human thoughts are formed. In our mind, when we have thoughts, they are formed in sentences. Since we are only self aware AFTER we have learnt language (past age 5 or so), it is hard to understand this. It would seem like our thoughts mimic the language, but really, it is the language that mimics the syntax of our thoughts. Otherwise, why else would we think in sentences?

The video link below is about Usher's Syndrome, a condition that leaves you deaf from birth, and completely blind by middle age. The community of those affected have learned to communicate using ASL before going blind, and then a tactile version of ASL after going blind. This is an extremely interesting video, and though the site claims to only show a preview, something's messed up and you can see the whole episode.


http://www.films.com/PreviewClip.aspx?isReal=0&id=10662

What to draw from this video:

- ASL follows the same syntax as regular language, with subjects placed spatially in front of them, and actions connecting them.

- Those who were born deaf do not wish to be able to hear. Language does not necessarily have to form from our vocal/auditory abilities, but humans DO have a yearn to communicate that will go to great lengths to connect people.

Works Cited:

"Language." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 6 Oct 2006, 22:34 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 9 Oct 2006 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Language&oldid=79931150>.

Pinker, Steven. "An Instinct to Acquire an Art". Communications Studies 1A03 Custom Courseware. Ed. Alex Sévigny. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 2006, 41-45.

The Ragin' Cajun: Usher Syndrome. Videorecording. Oliver Sacks. BBC, 1991.