In 1996 Penny Lee's reappraisal of Whorf's writings was published, reinstating Whorf as a serious and capable thinker. Lee argued that previous explorations of the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis had largely ignored Whorf's actual writings, and consequently asked questions very unlike those Whorf had asked.
In 1996, Penny Lee's re-evaluation of Whorf's work led to a reevaluation of Whorf as a serious and capable thinker. She argued that previous investigations into the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis had neglected Whorf's actual writings, leading to inquiries distinct from his own research questions.