Linguistic Development and Conceptual Ization
- 1 June 1975
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology
- Vol. 6 (2) , 173-188
- https://doi.org/10.1177/002202217562003
Abstract
A repertory grid technique was used to investigate the effect of development in a weaker language on conceptualization in that language. Form II and Form IV secondary school pupils in Tanzania were administered repertory tests with elements consisting of either persons or countries in both English and Swahili. Comparison of English and Swahili grids showed that language deficit reduces the polarization of judgments made using constructs articulated in the weaker language, although no differences in construct relationships vere observed. Differences in integration of construct relationships and polarization of judgment appeared to be related to the social appropriateness of each language for conceptualizing the elements in question. Implications of these results for the relationship between language and conceptualization are discussed.Keywords
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