NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

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Which concept states that all human thought and action is determined by language?

Linguistic relativism
Linguistic determinism
Language acquisition
Cultural linguistics

The correct answer is: Linguistic determinism

The concept that claims all human thought and action is determined by language is linguistic determinism. This theory proposes that the structure and vocabulary of a language shape and restrict how individuals think and perceive the world. According to this view, language acts as a lens through which we interpret our experiences and form our thoughts, suggesting that without language, certain thoughts may remain incomprehensible or inexpressible. Linguistic relativism, while related, posits that language influences thought and perception but does not strictly determine them. Language acquisition refers to the process through which individuals learn a language, emphasizing developmental stages rather than the intrinsic relationship between thought and language. Cultural linguistics examines the interplay between language and culture, focusing on how cultural factors influence linguistic expression but not necessarily concluding that language determines thought entirely. Therefore, linguistic determinism stands distinct as the concept that asserts complete determination of thought and behavior by language.