eskimo snow context quotation whorf shows concerned issue whether general term like eskimo languages whether eskimo english multitude specialized terms may useful point second half 19th century thereafter one big issues concerning linguists anthropologists whether primitive people primitive languages possessed abstract terms think must view whorf others preoccupations context may interest add great issues regarding primitive languages whether possess clearly defined sounds since widely claimed speakersof languages alternate different pronunications boas showed illusion think many people would listen works sapir paper sound pattenrs even psychological reality largely understoods attempts defend boas position case clear issue never many words language might specific kinds anything whether words general types kinds context question whether eskimo languages one word like english two like ancient greek whether variety particular words kinds snow alexis