Color-like Language and Its Classification
Color-like language has been extensively researched by ethnolinguists and scientists in order to clarify how color can be classified. Color is a complicated subject since several viewpoints can be utilized to characterize it. Linguists believe that is characteristics of language, except that the categorization into its numerous categories differs from other tangible categories of cognition. In science, solid colors are classified as hue, saturation, and brightness.
The Linguistic Approach by Brown and Lenneberg
Rodger Brown and Eric Lenneberg's article adopts a linguistic approach. The authors did an excellent job of explaining Whorf's thesis. They connected Whorf's concept of environment and experience to defining language and categories in many languages. They then connect this idea into the concept of color categories. In my opinion, enables a smooth transition from the concept of language to color (Brown, 1954).
The Three Aspects of Color Categories
As they delve more into color categories, the authors distinguish the three aspects of color. This simplifies the concept as they make the reader understand the concept of color codability. In their experiment of color codability and the differences that are impacted by differences in culture and society, they use the English codability and extrapolate cross-culturally.
Criticisms of the Theory
Despite the detailed description presented by these authors in their attempt to describe color categorization, I believe that a reader may get lost in the theories presented rather than the actual point that they would have loved to put across. Backing up a whole concept on one individual’s theory might not be the best idea since it is a biased point of view and takes a narrow angle towards the subject in question.
An In-depth Look at Color by Rosch
The article by Rosch is rather detailed and delves deeper into the intricate aspects of color. She takes a step further and discusses the different color spectra to understand its categorization. She begins by elaborating the known categorization which gives a clear picture of what is to be discussed. The concept of starting with a general idea that is known and narrowing down to introduce a related new concept of natural categorization appeals to a reader. The author states that these natural color categories that exist are learned faster and backs it up by evidence makes the concept easy to appreciate (Rosch, 1973).
Analyzing the Research Experiment by Rosch
The research experiment is divided into two sections, the first being color, and the other being form. In these two concepts, the author describes in detail the methodology and definite results obtained in each. In my opinion, the research was well conducted and bias reduced to a minimum even as the author tried to prove her point. Comparisons made from pre-existing theories were excellently applied, making the discussion convincing and accurate. The author elaborates on the differences found between other studies and this particular one with concrete evidence.
Bosch's Perspective on Color and Cognition
Bosch refers to the article by Brown and Lenneberg. She points out to a direct relationship between color and cognition just as language and thought. I believe that introducing this aspect to her study backs it up more with evidence. She, however, does not discuss the intricate details regarding the concept of learning language and color as in the article by Brown and Lenneberg. This article is quite detailed, and a reader may get lost in the ethnolinguistic idea being presented mingled with scientific facts.
References
Brown, R. &. (1954). A study in language and cognition. Journal of abnormal and social psychology, 454-462.
Rosch, E. (1973). Natural Categories. Cognitive psychology, 328-350.
