The cognitive universalism theory states that

• A. concepts are universal and influence the development of language.
• B. thought processes and concepts are controlled by language.
• C. all languages are similar in certain universal ways.
• D. all languages have the same pragmatics.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by understanding the core idea of cognitive universalism, which suggests that certain cognitive processes are universal across all humans.
2. Consider how cognitive universalism might relate to language development. The theory posits that these universal cognitive processes influence how language is developed and structured.
3. Examine the idea that concepts, which are mental representations or categories, are universal. This means that people across different cultures and languages have similar conceptual understandings.
4. Reflect on how these universal concepts might shape language. If concepts are universal, they could guide the formation and evolution of language, making certain aspects of language development consistent across different cultures.
5. Finally, compare cognitive universalism with other theories, such as linguistic relativity, which suggests that language influences thought. This comparison can help clarify the unique perspective of cognitive universalism on the relationship between thought, concepts, and language.