Grammarians on the Question “Is Language Thought?"

This article explores the perspectives of Indian grammarian philosophers on the intrinsic relationship between thought and language, juxtaposed against recent findings in contemporary cognitive science. A recent paper in the journal Nature titled "Language is primarily a tool for communication rather than thought" by Evelina Fedorenko, Steven T. Piantadosi, and Edward A. F. Gibson argues that language in human being is primarily a tool for communication, challenging the notion that language is necessary for thinking. This has reignited the traditional debate on the difference and non-difference between language and thought. Indian grammatical philosophy, particularly through the works of Bhartṛhari, asserts that language and thought are fundamentally inseparable, with Bhartṛhari's Vākyapadīya positing that linguistic cognition is an integral part of human consciousness and that thought processes are inherently linguistic. This study examines these philosophical assertions, comparing them with contemporary theories, and presents arguments and counterarguments from both Indian and Western perspectives. Finally, the paper delves into the possibilities of language and expression, suggesting avenues for further research. This paper aims to foster a more fruitful discussion on the intricate relationship between thought and language rather than resolving the controversy.