How Can We Think in a Language?

Overview:

In this project, which has been funded by the DFG and the FWF since October 2023 and is a collaboration between Nikola Kompa, Chris Gauker (Salzburg) and Jutta Mueller (Vienna), we investigate the question of what exactly is meant by an inner language and how it relates to outer language, which cognitive processes underlie or precede it and what role it can play in thinking and other cognitive processes. We argue that we occasionally think in a natural language. To do so, we must first explain how certain cognitive processes can be understood as internalizations of interpersonal language. Second, we need to develop a model of intrapersonal communication and internal dialog that allows for informative and action-guiding internal language.

Prof. Dr. phil. Nikola Kompa

Prof. Dr. phil. Nikola Kompa

Albrechtstraße 28a
49076 Osnabrück

Room: 69/107
Phone: +49 541 969-7109
nikola.kompa@uni-osnabrueck.de

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Activities:

  • Inner Speech Colloquium
  • Lecture "Inner Speech is all we need" (Barcelona, April 2025)
  • Workshop "Inner Speech – Philosophical and Psychological Perspectives" (Osnabrück, May 2025)

Publications:

  • Mueller, J./Kompa, N. (forthcoming). Innere Sprache (under contract with C.H. Beck / München). To be published in Autumn 2026 / Spring 2027.
  • Kompa,. N (forthcoming). Commentary to Martina Wiltschko "The Grammar of Self-Talk. What Different Modes of Talking Reveal about Language". To be published in: Theoretical Lingustics issue 51.3-4
  • Kompa, N (2024). Language, Cognition, and the Way We Think. Bloomsbury Academic, London / New York /Dublin (Mind-Meaning-Metaphysics Series, Editors: J Brandl; C. Gauker; M. Kölbel; M. Textor).
  • Kompa, N. (2024). Précis (und Repliken auf die Kommentator:innen) zu  Language, Cognition, and the Way We Think. Zeitschrift für Philosophische Forschung 78, 2.   
  • Kompa, N. (2023). Inner Speech and 'Pure' Thought - Do we think in language? Review of Philosophy and Psychology (online first). DOI: 10.1007/s13164-023-00678-w. – LINK 
  • Kompa, N. / Mueller, J. L. (2022): Inner speech as a cognitive tool—or what is the point of talking to oneself? Philosophical Psychology. DOI: 10.1080/09515089.2022.2112164
  • Kompa, N. (2021). What good is language? Vygotsky and the cognitive function of inner speech. In: J. Brandl/B. Kobow/D. Messelken (Hgs.) Analytische Explikationen & Interventionen. Mentis/Brill, Paderborn, 37-49.