The relationship existing between language and cognition or thought has for a long time been a matter of huge scholarly debate in a bid to identify how the two affect each other. Studies show that there is a link between the two as well as the fact that they both impact one another. The discussion intends to illustrate these aspects.
The link between Cognition and Language
To begin with, their association, studies show that infant boosts their cognition by listening to language. This is the case since infants are exposed to a rich environment and as such, encounter new object every day. It is also true that they are exposed to different sounds including those coming from their language (National Institute of Health). Therefore, they have a responsibility to identify their native language and associate it with their environment. It is at this point, even before they learn how to speak when they link the sound coming from the language to the foundation of their thought. By the time they are three months of age, they can use language to help them form object categories. Research shows that at the beginning, the association between language and cognition is quite extensive such that the vocalization would encourage object categorization in both non-human and human primates (National Institute of Health). However, as time progresses, this association applies to humans only. This is the reason that makes it possible for the two elements, that is, language and cognition, to affect one another.
Effect of language on Cognition
There are a number of ways that language impact cognitive development, which include but is not limited to its influence on concept learning. To start with, concept learning, studies show that people would acquire a concept while learning a language (Peter). This happens because people will want to associate their language with their surrounding and in so doing, they develop a deeper understanding or their cognition. In addition to that, various studies have found that reading increases scholastic performance. This can very well be illustrated by analyzing scholastic results of children who read at least an hour daily against those who do not read. According to scientific evidence on this study, those who read daily would register higher scholastic results on average than those who do not take reading as part of their habit (Peter). The finding demonstrates that the use of spoken and written language involved in reading books enhances cognitive development. The other evidence to demonstrate the impact that language has on cognitive development is when learning sign language. Studies shows that children learn sign language faster than spoken language (Peter). This helps them to perform better on different cognitive duties. The ability to learn sign language so that it improves cognition is more pronounced among children on their spatial reasoning. Although there are many other ways that language learning would improve cognitive skills, the ones discussed can also be used as evidence to point out the influence that one element has on the other.
Conclusion
The discussion has illustrated the association existing between cognition and language. In particular, language is important in developing thought or cognition. The link between the two starts at infancy stage and continues as the child ages. This is to say that as the child engages in language learning, so does his her cognitive abilities.
References
National Institute of Health. "Linking language and cognition in infancy: Entry points and developmental change." 1 Mar. 2017, grantome.com/grant/NIH/R01-HD083310-03.
Peter M. Vishton, PhD "Effects That Language Has on Cognitive Development." LIVESTRONG.COM, 13 Mar. 2010, www.livestrong.com/article/93181-effects-language-cognitive-development/.
