Language as an instrument of thought

LANGUAGE AS AN INSTRUMENT OF THOUGHT

Many authors, philosophers point out the seemingly common realization that upon introspection we seem to think in the language we speak. A number of writers and theorists have extrapolated this idea.

John Milton Gregory wrote -

Language is an instrument as well as the vehicle of thought. Words are tools under whose plastic touch the mind reduces the crude masses of its impressions into clear and valid prepositions. Ideas become incarnate in words.

It clearly means language is an instrument, words are tools, and ideas are the crux of education. The expression of our thought really depends on our command over the language.

The development of ideas around a topic requires a real art. The matter of world-building is important. The teacher of a language must himself be skilled in the ways of that language. To be aware of how words can be built-up from various parts of speech is one way of what Fries calls -

Mastering the vocabulary by adjusting the form of a word.

Little and continuous encouragement from the teacher motivates the learner to channelize their thinking and express it in a very logical way.

Dr. Roget, in his preface to that most interesting book 'The thesaurus of English Words and Phrases" makes the following remark -

The use of language is not confined to its being the medium through which we communicate our ideas to one another; it fulfills a no less important function as an instrument of thought; not being merely its vehicle, but giving it wings for flight.

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Language as an instrument of thought