Language & Testimony (DP IB Theory of Knowledge): Revision Note

Language is a system of symbols and rules that allows knowers to share thoughts, feelings and information

Language helps knowers name and classify the world, which can shape how they notice and organise experiences

• Different languages sometimes divide up the world in different ways, and this can influence priorities, e.g. some languages use a single word for what English calls “blue” and “green”, so speakers may pay less attention to or not notice that colour difference

Through language, knowers can build shared knowledge that goes beyond individual experience

Words and phrases can be ambiguous, with more than one possible meaning depending on context

• The same sentence may be interpreted differently because of tone, culture, background knowledge or assumptions

Translation between languages can lead to loss, change or addition of meaning

Awareness of ambiguity encourages knowers to ask for clarification and check how others understand key terms

Testimony is information that comes from other people through what they say or write, e.g.:

• teacher explanations 

• news reports

• social media posts

• a story about someone else’s experience

Knowledge gained from testimony is known as second-hand knowledge

• Much of what knowers claim to know in everyday life and the wider world is based on second-hand knowledge

Depending on testimony raises questions about how far knowers can trust others when forming their own beliefs

Knowers can evaluate testimony by asking about the expertise and reliability of the source

Factors that can provide information about the reliability of testimony include:

• evidence provided: if a speaker gives clear evidence, it is easier to judge how well their testimony is supported

• consistency with other sources: if different independent sources report similar information, this can increase confidence in the reliability of testimony

• possible bias: if the speaker has something to gain, or strong prior beliefs, this may affect how reliable their testimony is

• authority: if the speaker has relevant expertise, qualifications or experience, this can make their testimony more trustworthy

Choosing which testimony to accept or reject can be seen as an ethical decision, especially when it affects other people’s lives, e.g.:

• believing misinformation about health, elections or the environment can significantly affect people’s lives

• passing on testimony that you have not checked can spread harm to others if it turns out to be false or misleading

• trusting some groups’ testimonies and ignoring others can reinforce injustice