Using the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis to Explore Wittgenstein

Using the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis to Explore Wittgenstein In the mid-1900's the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis was introduced to the world of linguistic studies. It was the brainchild of two generations of linguists, Edward Sapir and his student, Benjamin Lee Whorf. The hypothesis was comprised of two distinct principles. The first, linguistic determinism, says that the language humans speak determines the way they think about the world. The second, linguistic relativity, says that the differences in human …

…is an impossibility at this time for that culture. When Wittgenstein argued "the limits of my world are the limits of my language," he was saying that the world influences the way humans think, and that the way that humans think about the world influences human language. This is exactly what the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis states. Wittgenstein's ideas and beliefs re-enforce the message of the hypothesis and can be used to help understand it as well.