The pioneering linguist Benjamin Whorf (1897–1941) grasped the relationship between human language and human thinking: how language can shape our innermost thoughts. His basic thesis is that our perception of the world and our ways of thinking about it are deeply influenced by the structure of the languages we speak. The writings collected in this volume include important papers on the Maya, Hopi, and Shawnee languages as well as more general reflections on language and meaning.
Benjamin Whorf Books
April 24, 1897 – July 26, 1941
Benjamin Lee Whorf, an inspector for a fire insurance company, explored the intricate relationship between language and thought alongside his mentor, Professor Edward Sapir. Together, they developed the groundbreaking theory of linguistic relativity, famously known as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. This work delves into how the structure of a language influences its speakers' cognition and perception of the world, offering profound insights into the nature of human understanding.
