Interpretation Of Linguistic Relativity Principle

The linguistic relativity principle (also known as the"Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis"or"Whorf Hypothesis") has evoked a great deal of controversy and met with both approval and opposition since its emergence in 1930s and 1940s. Some Western scholars have defined the principle of linguistic relativity as hypothesis and have undertaken a series of experiments testing whether the principle is valid or not, and some others have commented on it, taking a certain position. Although scholars have drawn some conclusions through empirical researches, they can not verify or totally disprove of the grand theory. In China, the Cross-cultural Communication holds the view that difference in language and thought is the necessity and possibility for cross-cultural communication; Cultural Linguistics takes the principle as one of its theoretical foundations. Up till now people have held different opinions towards Whorf's hypothesis from different perspectives, and have focused on whether linguistic relativity is true or false or that linguistic relativity is fallacious for its extremeness.This thesis expounds the origin and social background of the principle, make a thorough analysis of major echo researches on the principle and explore the social context and the ideology and hegemony behind the researches from the perspective of critical discourse analysis. Though empirical research can only verify or disprove of the principle to certain extent, it participates in the reconstructing of the principle. Furthermore, the writer appeals to turning to Whorf's works to interpret the core of the principle and the grand theory and make a study of the seemingly contradictory and yet dialectical elements of Whorf and his principle. He advocated in an objective manner that linguistics is an exact and perfect science and all languages are equal, but we can see his enthusiasm and preference of Indian languages and his criticism toward the European"civilized languages". He is distinguished for his relativity principle, however, he devoted his life to the study of the universal mechanism of linguistics, and he explored the differences among languages in an effort to have cross-cultural understanding. Therefore, the writer of this thesis urges that we should interpret Whorf's linguistic relativity principle and his original wish from a holistic view, expound the interrelationship among language, thought and culture, make research on diversity and nationality of language, culture and thought since it is interwoven with universality,and study how the principle contributes to the construction of humanities and social science.