Thought & Language
Vygotskiĭ, L. S. "Chapter 7: Thought and Word." Thought and Language. Cambridge: M.I.T., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1962. 210-57.
SummaryVygotsky focuses mostly on the concepts of inner speech and consciousness; he spends much time exploring how inner speech connects to thought and speech. There is a definite relationship between speech and thought; it changes as our understandings of them change--through the lenses/context which we view and understand them (aka our personal experiences). Vygotsky uses a psychological approach to discuss thought and speech; he argues that “the function of egocentric speech is similar to that of inner speech [...] it is speech for oneself, intimately and usefully connected with the child’s thinking” (228).
ResponseWhen Vygotsky says, “It is not merely the content of a word that changes, but the way in which reality is generalized and reflected in a word” (213), I think of the richness and beauty of poetry. While I am no poet, I love attempting to uncover the many layers and dimensions embedded within poetry. The words don't change, but their meaning shift based on the reader's life experiences. The reader's lens is what helps the reader to unpack the poem's meaning. The meaning may ebb and flow depending on the context in which they are read, and by whom.
Connections/QuestionsVolosinov and Vygotsky both view language as social and fluid.
Vygotsky's discussion on inner speech as “for oneself” and external speech as “for others” (225) made me wonder if he values one over the other. Further, I later thought about Peirce's concepts of firstness and secondness. I see a connection there. Might firstness relate to Vygotsky's concept of inner speech, as it is silent and not yet verbally spoken/tangible? Might secondness relate to Vygotsky's external speech, as it moves from the realm of possible (inner speech) to the realm of actual (external speech)? |
Key Quotes
“It is not merely the content of a word that changes, but the way in which reality is generalized and reflected in a word” (213).
“A word in context means both more and less than the same word in isolation: more, because it acquirers new context; less, because its meaning is limited and narrowed by the context” (245).“
To understand another’s speech, it is not sufficient to understand his words—we must understand his thought. But even that is not enough—we must understand its motivation. No psychological analysis of an utterance is complete until that plane is reached” (253).
"Thought is born through words. A word devoid of thought is a dead thing" (255).
“The dictionary meaning of a word is no more than a stone in the edifice of sense, no more than a potentiality that finds diversified realization in speech” (245).
"Thought is not merely expressed in words; it comes into existence through them. Every thought tends to connect something with something else, to establish a relation between things” (218).
“A word in context means both more and less than the same word in isolation: more, because it acquirers new context; less, because its meaning is limited and narrowed by the context” (245).“
To understand another’s speech, it is not sufficient to understand his words—we must understand his thought. But even that is not enough—we must understand its motivation. No psychological analysis of an utterance is complete until that plane is reached” (253).
"Thought is born through words. A word devoid of thought is a dead thing" (255).
“The dictionary meaning of a word is no more than a stone in the edifice of sense, no more than a potentiality that finds diversified realization in speech” (245).
"Thought is not merely expressed in words; it comes into existence through them. Every thought tends to connect something with something else, to establish a relation between things” (218).