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Interfacing Language and Social Cognition

Free University Amsterdam, v73usemi{at}hasara11.bitnet

It is argued that an interface between language and social cognition can take place only if one addresses language with the same methodological commitment that social cognition has hitherto received. Such a methodological commitment means treating language as a tool, with distinct cognitive properties in its own right. An overview of a research programme is provided that treats interpersonal language as consisting of tools and is concerned with an empirical examination of the cognitive properties of these tools. It is then shown how a better understanding of social cognitive processes can be achieved by showing how different linguistic categories trigger qualitatively different cognitive processes. In conclusion, it is argued that without a clear understanding of the medium by which communication is achieved-namely, language-it is difficult if not impossible to understand social cognition.

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