Summary:
We are so used to thinking with language as a medium that it is difficult to imagine thinking without language. However, it is possible for us to engage in thinking without the benefit that language provides of categorizing and mentally filing complex ideas and concepts.
To discuss this question meaningfully, we first need to clearly establish the definition of "think" and "language" clearly. According to MSN Encarta Dictionary, to think is to use the mind to consider ideas and make judgments. As for language, it is defined as a system of communication with its own set of conventions or special words that is universally agreed by everyone, be it in a verbal or non-verbal form (for example, spoken languages such as English or sign/body languages).
I personally believe that it is possible to think without language. Below, I will be using some thought experiments and example to further elaborate my stand. I believe that language is first developed by Man in pre-historic times to effectively communicate ideas. This leads to development of spoken and written languages. (However, I do not think that cave paintings or many such types of symbols cannot really be considered as languages because different people would interpret and understand the same drawing in different ways.) This suggests that thinking exist before language and as such thinking must be possible without language. However, language merely makes thinking easier in many instances. This train of thought brought me to this concept, which I think can greatly assist in visualizing the relationship between language and thinking. Take the concept of "thinking" to be MS-DOS and "language" to be like Window.
MS-DOS (or the operating system) can operate itself without Window but the existence of Window makes it easier for us to use computer as it can allow us to manipulate different functions of the computer more easily. Similarly, the thinking process can in fact exist without language but language can make it easier for us to manipulate our thinking process and perhaps in a way allow for more complex thinking processes. This is because complex ideas require us to use language as a term for various concepts. Therefore, language serves as a filing/categorization system of ideas for our mind, making it easier for us to manage complex concepts. However, many a time we are too used to using computers through Window that we might get an impression that we cannot use computers without Window. Similarly, we are all so very used to thinking with language as a medium that it is hard for us to isolate and pinpoint a certain period of time or set of actions whereby we are thinking without language. To consider this problem, let us conduct a thought experiment. Let's say, we isolate a baby from society as soon as he is born and let him lives all alone in say an uninhabited island. He would have to grow up without any languages. In such a case, would this person still be able to think? I certainly think he would still be able to think and make decisions.
Therefore, I believe that thinking is possible without language.
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