Benjamin Whorf argued that because the Inuit have many words for snow,
A. they have more ways to describe snow than speakers of other languages.
B. they have better perceptual skills than speakers with fewer words for snow.
C.they have more uses for snow in their culture.
D.they notice differences in snow that speakers with fewer words for snow do not notice.
A. seems like the logical answer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eskimo_words_for_snow
http://www.uaf.edu/anlc/snow/
C is probably the answer your teacher wants, based on relativism, but frankly, Whorf's ideas, and data have been unversally debunked, so much that a critical analysis is impossible. However, the so called example is still cited in many texts. Yes, it is pure nonsense.
<<In his essay "The Great Eskimo Vocabulary Hoax," Geoffrey Pullum writes very entertainingly about the snow words example, citing Martin's paper and poking fun at the scholars who have slavishly repeated the claim promulgated by other scholars with no reference to primary data. Pullum is not above overstating the case just a bit: "The truth is that the Eskimos do not have lots of different words for snow, and no one who knows anything about Eskimo has ever said they do." (This second part of his statement is certainly true, since those familiar with the actual data have kept fairly silent.) "Anyone who insists on simply checking their primary sources will find that they are quite unable to document the alleged facts about snow vocabulary (but nobody ever checks, because the truth might not be what the reading public wants to hear.)" A minor quibble with Pullum is that he calls the bungling treatment of the snow example a hoax, even though there was never really any intention to deceive. In an appendix titled "Yes, but how many really?" Pullum is to be applauded for taking the radical step of consulting a bona fide specialist of Eskimo linguistics, Anthony Woodbury. By all accounts Pullum is the first scholar writing on this subject who has thought to consult a specialist, or at least the first one to openly admit doing so. Based largely on Jacobson's Yup'ik Eskimo Dictionary, Woodbury estimates that there are from one to two dozen words (lexemes) for snow, depending on which ones are included[5].>>
Frankly, I wonder at why a scholar such as your teacher would be teaching you concepts based on false evidence. Are you learning the 'lessons' Margaret Mead taught also?
Good luck.
To answer this question, we need to understand Benjamin Whorf's argument regarding the Inuit and their words for snow. Benjamin Whorf, a linguist, proposed the theory of linguistic relativity, also known as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, the structure and vocabulary of a person's language shape their thoughts and worldview.
Whorf argued that since the Inuit language has multiple words for snow, it indicates a higher level of importance and attention to snow in their culture. However, it is important to note that this specific claim made by Whorf has been widely debated and criticized.
Now, let's analyze the given answer options in light of Whorf's argument:
A. They have more ways to describe snow than speakers of other languages.
This answer option relates to the idea that the Inuit have an extensive vocabulary for describing snow. According to Whorf's argument, this could be seen as an indication of the importance of snow in their culture. Therefore, option A aligns with Whorf's argument.
B. They have better perceptual skills than speakers with fewer words for snow.
This answer option suggests that the Inuit's additional words for snow result in better perceptual skills. While different languages may influence perception to some extent, Whorf's argument primarily focuses on the cultural significance of language rather than suggesting superior perceptual skills. Thus, option B does not accurately represent Whorf's argument.
C. They have more uses for snow in their culture.
This answer option implies that the multiple words for snow among the Inuit suggest that they have more varied uses for snow within their culture. While it could be possible that having more words for snow may allow for more nuanced discussions and descriptions of snow-related activities, Whorf's argument primarily deals with the cultural significance of snow rather than the practical uses. Therefore, option C does not directly align with Whorf's argument.
D. They notice differences in snow that speakers with fewer words for snow do not notice.
This answer option indicates that the Inuit may be more attuned to the subtle variations in snow due to their extensive vocabulary. Whorf's argument suggests that a language with a variety of words for a particular phenomenon allows speakers to recognize its importance in their culture. Therefore, option D aligns with Whorf's argument.
Based on the analysis, answer options A and D both align with Benjamin Whorf's arguments regarding the Inuit and their words for snow.