Linguistic relativism and the expression of basic theoretical rationality in Inuktitut

• Main Author: Mahieu, Marc-Antoine
• Other Authors: Langues et civilisations à tradition orale (LACITO), Université Sorbonne Nouvelle - Paris 3-Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales (Inalco)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2023
• Subjects: Inuktitut; linguistic relativism; theoretical rationality; critical thought; writing; [SHS]Humanities and Social Sciences; Arctic; Nunavik; inuit; inuktitut
• Online Access: https://hal.science/hal-04052022; https://hal.science/hal-04052022/document; https://hal.science/hal-04052022/file/Linguistic%20relativism%20and%20the%20expression%20of%20basic%20rationality%20in%20Inuktitut%20-%20HAL.pdf

This paper begins by stressing the importance of distinguishing between linguistic relativity whose reality is hardly debatable and linguistic relativism which ultimately holds that language communities are locked within their own worldview, hence their own notions of truth. It then rejects linguistic relativism by asserting the existence of a universal core of theoretical rationality comprised at the very least of the logical principles of identity, noncontradiction and excluded middle. It goes on to show how this theoretical rationality manifests itself in the lexicon of a language differing greatly from English: Inuktitut spoken by the Inuit of Nunavik (Arctic Quebec). The definitions provided by Taamusi Qumaq for three words relating to critical thought are translated for the first time. Other quotes give examples of theoretical rationality in actual usage. Finally, the paper asks why logic as such is accorded little value in the culture Inuktitut expresses. The suggested answer follows Jack Goody, who holds that a long written tradition is required for the rules of formal logic to take hold in language practices. Writing is not just a transcription of the spoken word; it is an intellectual technology which impacts the way speakers use their language.