Within linguistic theory, two extreme positions concerning the relationship
between language and thought are commonly referred to as 'mould theories’ and
'cloak theories'. Mould theories represent language as 'a mould in terms of which
thought categories are cast' (Bruner et al. 1956, p. 11). Cloak theories represent
the view that 'language is a cloak conforming to the customary categories of
thought of its speakers' (ibid.). The doctrine that language is the 'dress of
thought' was fundamental in Neo-Classical literary theory (Abrams 1953, p.
290), but was rejected by the Romantics (ibid.; Stone 1967, Ch. 5). There is also
a related view (held by behaviourists, for instance) that language and thought are
identical. According to this stance thinking is entirely linguistic: there is no
'non-verbal thought', no 'translation' at all from thought to language. In this sense,
thought is seen as completely determined by language.