Constraint, cognition, and written numeration (original) (raw)
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The scope of linguistic relativity in graphic and lexical numeration
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Number systems constitute one of the major domains in which language has been invoked as a source of variation in thought or cognition. The notion that the features of a language's numeral system index cognitive complexity in mathematics has been pervasive in anthropological linguistics, from nineteenth century unilinear evolutionists to contemporary neo-Whorfians. In particular, the extreme case of languages with small numerical vocabularies have attracted enormous scholarly interest, but other features for which representational effects on cognition are claimed include systemic irregularity and the presence of multiple parallel numeral systems (numeral classifiers and object-specific counting). Quite independently but relatedly, the comparison of graphic numerical notations has inferred cognitive advantages directly from notation, such as the idea that the Roman numerals limited Western mathematical progress. The question of cognitive effects of language is interwoven with issues of social complexity; in place of a pure relativistic language-thought relationship, the discussion has been, and continues to be framed through a triad of language structure-cognition-social structure. Recognizing the enormous cross-cultural variation in lexical numerals and numerical notations, how can we best evaluate the extent to which, and more importantly, the processes by which, they affect numerical cognition? An activity-based explanatory model in which materiality, discourse, and practice mutually engage to constitute knowledge systems allows us to move past the presumption that language structure has direct cognitive effects, without denying that there are linguistic patterns of real interest for future inquiry into numerical cognition.
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The relationship between language and conceptual thought is an unresolved problem in both philosophy and psychology. It remains unclear whether linguistic structure plays a role in our cognitive processes. This special issue brings together cognitive scientists and philosophers to focus on the role of language in numerical cognition: because of their universality and variability across languages, number words can serve as a fruitful test case to investigate claims of linguistic relativism.