What a coincidence. We discussed the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis in class just yesterday. The teacher was a bit under the weather though, so it was a crappy discussion. But we agreed that it wasn't a very strong theory. It's an interesting idea, but nobody seemed to think language actually
shapes thought patterns and cultures to that extent. I don't think so. I think it's mostly the other way around, that language
reflects the thought patterns of a culture. It may have a conservative effect though. If you control the language, you may very well control the thoughts of the people using it. It's a complicated package, language, culture, thought, all that.
But what is up with all the "noble savage" ideas? Jeez, it's sooo twentieth century.
