Publication Details

Abstract

In the first part of the paper the author discusses critically the psychologizing views according to which every man connects different experiences and ideas with the particular expression. He points out the social character and the social conditioning of the acquiring and the using of words. The second part of the paper is devoted to a critical analysis of the linguistic-philosophical views of B. Whorf. On the contrary to his thesis that grammar determines the concept and approach to reality, the paper emphasizes the objective sources and bases of our words. Contrary to Whorf's accentuation of the task of convention the author points out the decisive . role of practice. The third part of the paper shows the drawbacks of Whorf’s absolutizing the differences between the concept of time in European languages and in the language of the Indian tribe of Hopi and draws attention to its evolutional parallels and similarities.