A Pluralistic Framework for the Roles of Language in Human Cognition

Sonee and Sajid Parwez (Department of Psychology, Sona Devi University, Ghatsila, Jharkhand)

This paper presents a systematic inquiry into the manifold roles of language in human cognition, arguing against the traditional tendency to posit a single, monolithic account. While a classic view sees language as a mere tool for externalizing thought, this investigation proceeds from a cognitive conception, proposing that language can profoundly shape and modify internal mental processes (Botterill & Carruthers, 1999). The analysis critiques and re-maps the theoretical landscape of this debate, beginning with the foundational four-fold division proposed by Botterill and Carruthers (1999). This paper develops a novel, pluralistic framework that categorizes the relationship between language and cognitive processes into four distinct types: non-interactive, enhancing, transformative, and constitutive. This model offers a more robust explanation for the diverse empirical findings in cognitive science and philosophy of mind, reconciling previously contradictory positions and providing a new, fine-grained research program for future inquiry.