What role does language and language diversity play in the critical thinking process?

Answer

Language being the commonly accepted means of communication has a diversity of roles in thinking processes, language misunderstanding and misinterpretation. Also it has impact on overcoming barriers to good communication such as faulty encoding and decoding in the transmission of information.

Answer:

Abstract thought, and discussion of concepts such as gods, politics, merchandise and similar things that are not in front of us to look at, require language. Such interchanges are impossible without words and word-related concepts, along with agreement on their meanings in a particular context. Imagine having a discussion about the theory of evolution with someone who doesn't even understand the way scientists use the word "theory" (a common problem). Also, people who speak different languages actually think differently, based on the language in which they construct their thoughts.

Add to that the concept of semantics -- the meanings that words have beyond their literal meanings. For example, if I write "John and Mary had sexual intercourse," it has an entirely different semantic effect than if I write "John and Mary f***ed," even though it means exactly the same thing. Your ability to think critically about the two concepts would be affected in some ways, even if it were only your opinion of the person who wrote them and, thus, his potential reliability.

Critical thinking requires precise grasp of concepts and the ability to communicate them accurately, and that is impossible without language.

First answer by ID1361708228. Last edit by Zenballwizard. Contributor trust: 9 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 90 [recommend question]