Yes, thinking does take place without language. This can be discussed through various psychological perspectives.

Jean Piaget, the noted Swiss psychologist, believed that thought not only determines language but also precedes it. He argued that children form an internal representation of the world through thinking. For example, when children observe others' behaviour and later imitate it, thinking takes place without involving language. Thus, language is just one of the vehicles of thinking, not the only one.

The context states that thought is used without language when the vehicle of thinking is non-verbal, such as visual or movement-related. This demonstrates that thinking can occur through means other than language.

Lev Vygotsky argued that thoughts and language develop in a child separately until about two years of age, after which they merge. Before two years, thought is preverbal and is experienced more in action (Piaget's sensory motor stage). The child's utterances are more automatic reflexes, like crying when uncomfortable, rather than thought-based.

Piaget believed that while language can be taught to children, understanding of words requires knowledge of underlying concepts, i.e., thinking. Thus, thought is basic and necessary if language is to be understood, confirming that thinking can and does take place without language.