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Yes, because if we have no words how are we supposed to form thoughts about anything

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The language we use shapes our way of thinking and can also constrain it. I wouldnt say it "Governs" how we think but it can propably influence it. 

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The language we use shapes our way of thinking and can also constrain it. I wouldnt say it "Governs" how we think but it can propably influence it. 

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Lauri

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Humans can use all kinds of cognitive processes for forming thoughts and language is one of them. But I dont think we absolutely need language to form thoughts.

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Humans can use all kinds of cognitive processes for forming thoughts and language is one of them. But I dont think we absolutely need language to form thoughts.

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Lauri

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To an extent yes, because you can't just go around saying stuff that will provoke someone, but also you should be able to express yourself in a way that is considered "not aggressive"

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To an extent yes, because you can't just go around saying stuff that will provoke someone, but also you should be able to express yourself in a way that is considered "not aggressive"

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sara

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True, because language more often than not directly influences an individual's thought process. And if you can influence an individual's thoughts, this means you have a strong hold on how an individual functions. Still, humans are unpredictable so merely controlling language might not be enough to control an individual if they have independent thoughts, needs, wants etc, but it will still strongly steer the way and individual thinks

-Charlotte

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Language is used to share information and your own thoughts. You can use it to tell someone what you're thinking, understand what others are thinking, and even play around with therefore i agree with this claim (:

Sarah

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Yes, for example, people whose first language uses genders for words tend to see those things as "feminine" or "masculine".

-Susanna

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this statement does is not true because in some cases even if there are no words to express it your thoughts will form expressions that will be able to let you think. Even in the book Winston did speak Oldspeak but he was forced to speak Newspeak and yet committed thoughtcrime.

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Language definitely aids in the act of thinking, but I don't think the lack of proper language truly prevents us from thinking. You can think about an apple without needing to form the word for it in your mind - people tend to use visualization when thinking more often than words, unless it is specifically words they are looking for. While I do agree that language is a vital thing for the act of thinking, we aren't unable to form thoughts without it.

-Matilda.S

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Not necessarily. However complex thought usually requires language aswell.

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Not necessarily. However complex thought usually requires language aswell.

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antti

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In a way yes, but if you would example ban the word good and make it a punishable offense, yes no one would say it out loud in public but what stops them from saying it when they are e.g. alone or in a closed area? 

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In a way yes, but if you would example ban the word good and make it a punishable offense, yes no one would say it out loud in public but what stops them from saying it when they are e.g. alone or in a closed area? 

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sara

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Yes regarding harmful situations in where freedom of speech and the use of language should be limited. for example you should not curse or make fun of a teacher.

In another view, it also should not be controlled in order to hear everyone´s opinions and thoughts about something.

Sarah

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The language we use definitely affects our thought process, but I wouldn't say it entirely governs it. We can form thoughts that cannot be expressed in the language we know, which is why sometimes we may say something that made complete sense in our heads but makes zero sense once we say it out loud.

-Matilda.S

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To a certain extent yes because you can control the formation of thoughts a little bit by controlling the kind of language people know.

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To a certain extent yes because you can control the formation of thoughts a little bit by controlling the kind of language people know.

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Lauri

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Not necessarily, we could form rudimentary thoughts about for example our basic needs even without language. But when it comes to more complicated ideas, we definitely need some kind of language.

Alex

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It should not, an authority or organization or a similiar entity has no right to control a language that they have not come up with i.e English. The language already exists and has existed for centuries on its own, it should not be governed by people who simply deem it "not appropriate" by their own standards

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It should not, an authority or organization or a similiar entity has no right to control a language that they have not come up with i.e English. The language already exists and has existed for centuries on its own, it should not be governed by people who simply deem it "not appropriate" by their own standards

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ronja

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depends, someone of course has to form the language but then later on in my opinion a higher authority shouldn't have the rights to change it into a way its preferable for them. Like in the book The Party's authority over language is not acceptable it is outrageous how they change words just for their own good.

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Possibly, because by manipulating words and their meanings, those in power can shape public opinion, control narratives and suppress dissatisfaction.

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I would say that yes it does. If I think in finnish, my thoughts usually use considerably fewer words than if I think in Hungarian. It is normal in finland to express things very shortly and punctually. In hungarian, it is normal for a native speaker to never express things directly, instead expressing things through euphemisms, and this shows in the sense that I think in euphemisms when I think in hungarian. So yes, i would say that language can affect how we think.

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I would say that yes it does. If I think in finnish, my thoughts usually use considerably fewer words than if I think in Hungarian. It is normal in finland to express things very shortly and punctually. In hungarian, it is normal for a native speaker to never express things directly, instead expressing things through euphemisms, and this shows in the sense that I think in euphemisms when I think in hungarian. So yes, i would say that language can affect how we think.

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antti

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Fewer words certainly complicate the act of forming thoughts, more specifically very complex ones. Yet if there is an idea or thought in one's mind, it can be demonstrated in other ways than merely words. Words do, however, aid with consuming knowledge, for example reading is an exellent way to educate oneself, so if this is limited, than there is a possibility that an individual's thoughts are also limited.

-Charlotte

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The process of language evolving is something that I don't think should be controlled. It's a natural process that happens over time, it changes depending on our needs and what we feel we need to express vocally - words we don't have a need for may stop being used, while new words are invented or old words are given new meanings to describe something new that we find ourselves needing a word for. If authority were to control language, it would stump the process of languages evolving.

-Matilda.S

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Language is a tool that can alter the way we think or express ourselves when compared to others. it could govern in different situations for example if one cant speak the local language. overall it doesnt govern but the language we use is a big influence in our lives.

sarah

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I think that higher authorities should absolutely keep their hands off language, otherwise the same situation might happen as in the book. One should be free to express themselves with any words they please, and the word filtering should be the responsibility of the individual.

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I think that higher authorities should absolutely keep their hands off language, otherwise the same situation might happen as in the book. One should be free to express themselves with any words they please, and the word filtering should be the responsibility of the individual.

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antti

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Language is a necessary tool in communicating with others and learning. Without language we can think but not complex thought since it requires communication.

-alina

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Most of the time yes, because language allows us to conceptualize abstract things and express our thoughts clearly. Language is also crucial in perceiving the reality and is kind of a framework for organizing information.

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Not true, shortly said because even if there are not enough or no words at all to express my thoughts, one would still have other non verbal ways to express own thoughts through body language, facial expressions, sounds and actions.

sarah

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Yes. The amount and types of words a language has does affect what kinds of thoughts the users of said language can have.

Alex

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Words don't entirely control how we think. Babies, despite not knowing or understanding speech, are still able to form thoughts; this applies to everyone. It would limit the amount of thoughts we are able to express, but not the thoughts we are capable of having.

-Matilda.S

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Language is one tool that can be used to shape the way people think but alone I do not think that it can have the full power to manipulate people. Other factors including religion, education, politics, and cultural preferences have an affect how openly people are able to think. If only language is controlled, it manipulates people to some extent but it does not restrict fully how people see the world due to other factors. -Jooa

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sure, while some people have a vivid enough imagination to "think" in pictures and images, we all need some sort of language to think

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sure, while some people have a vivid enough imagination to "think" in pictures and images, we all need some sort of language to think

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ronja

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It shouldnt be, everyone should be able to express their thoughts in a way that they see fit because everyone has the right to freedom of speech.

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It shouldnt be, everyone should be able to express their thoughts in a way that they see fit because everyone has the right to freedom of speech.

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lauri

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i dont know, depends on the language and how its constructed, but I think with certain languages yes and with some others no

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i dont know, depends on the language and how its constructed, but I think with certain languages yes and with some others no

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ronja

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I don't think language should be entirely controlled by the government, because everyone should have the right to express themsleves freely, but it could be controlled so that it's not used negatively.

Maddalena

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I disagree with this statement because language it self cannot do any harm. It is totally diffrent to use language to do harm to others ( hate speech, misinformation)

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Yes and no. There is a difference between the official language and the everyday language used. There are a lot of words and phrases that are often used but not considered official words in a dictionary. Language should not be censored or hidden in the fear of someone being triggered or hurt. It's good to have restrictions on, for example social media platforms, to avoid harmful or disrespectful act. However, by completely censoring, removing or banning the use of certain words, I believe we would cause more harm than good.

-Susanna

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language is an important tool for thinking but it in itself is not "nesessary" in order to form thoughts

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language is an important tool for thinking but it in itself is not "nesessary" in order to form thoughts

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i dont think so, people can conjure up thoughts about something and it doesn't really matter if there are "no words for it"

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i dont think so, people can conjure up thoughts about something and it doesn't really matter if there are "no words for it"

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ronja

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Nope. Allowing authorities to control language poses significant risks and makes humans fragile for deception and manipulation. By restricting freedom of expression, limiting individuality and critical thinking abilities, humans become vulnerable to those who seek to take advantage of us through manipulative use of language and soon everything will be dystopian and the world will end. So nope.

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Yes because limiting the use of language will shape the way a nation thinks and in a way also limits things that were done before. It is true that in closed doors people would probably not care about the limitations of language but expressing yourself and using language how you want in public is a very big factor in peoples lives, therefore it would be very limiting and successful for the government limiting the use of language.

sarah

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Having fewer words makes things a lot harder, but the same words can also be used to express different meanings.

Alex

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not necessarily? if the language is controlling, like newspeak, i still dont think it would be enough to control how every single person thinks in every single situation

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not necessarily? if the language is controlling, like newspeak, i still dont think it would be enough to control how every single person thinks in every single situation

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ronja

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my stance on this is so-so. one aspect is demonstrated by the fact that the use of slurs has been penalized, meaning you can get punished for using them, and nowadays people use way fewer slurs while speaking. But this may not apply to internal thoughts, as an individual might think using slurs, but they won´t say them out loud. 

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my stance on this is so-so. one aspect is demonstrated by the fact that the use of slurs has been penalized, meaning you can get punished for using them, and nowadays people use way fewer slurs while speaking. But this may not apply to internal thoughts, as an individual might think using slurs, but they won´t say them out loud. 

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antti

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Technically, this is true. If a word has a nicer ring to it, then it may, for example, make something sound less serious or horrible than it is in reality. If we say "A man died," it sounds more pleasing to the ear than "A man was murdered". Controlling language isn't something that entirely would shape society, but it would be able to change the tone of things, make bad things sound nicer, make nice things sound worse.

-Matilda.S

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No, concepts such as art, music and dance have been used to express thoughts without using words for centuries (even though some people call music a language).

-Susanna

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I agree, because if you for example speak many languages, it causes you to think in many different ways, depending for example on the grammatical structure of the used language.

Maddalena

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we form our values, beliefs, and ideas by using language. In order for thoughts to be formed, some language is needed for instance to know the concept of certain feeling or emotion. to some extent, language is needed for thinking. jooa

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Yes, but also no. With fewer words, one will have a more difficult time expressing said thought to others, or in other words there will be fewer external thoughts. however, they will still be able to formulate thoughts internally. 

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Yes, but also no. With fewer words, one will have a more difficult time expressing said thought to others, or in other words there will be fewer external thoughts. however, they will still be able to formulate thoughts internally. 

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Antti

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To some extent yes, because language is so commonly used in everyday situations that controlling it will in some way result in the controlling of society.

Maddalena

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i would say that language is an important factor but the outside influences are even more important as language alone does not explain the differences in how some people from one country think differently to another

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i would say that language is an important factor but the outside influences are even more important as language alone does not explain the differences in how some people from one country think differently to another

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sanni m

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Link to KQ: Is language “an instrument of power, a measure of humanity, a map for world-making”?

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Link to KQ: Is language “an instrument of power, a measure of humanity, a map for world-making”?

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Through language, individuals can influence the thoughts and actions of others, therefore having control over society. By controlling the narrative and manipulating words, those in power can shape public opinion and maintain their dominance. Language also reflects the values and beliefs of a society, acting as a measure of its humanity. Language constructs our reality by providing us with a framework to understand the world around us. It allows us to create meaning and make sense of our experiences. In this way, language becomes a map for world-making, enabling us to navigate through life's complexities. Thus, it is evident that language plays a crucial role in shaping society by exerting power, reflecting humanity, and facilitating world-making.

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Language should be controlled by a trustworthy authority (like kotimaisten kielten keskus). not for shaping how people think but to generally organize important things. jooa