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I would. It's our big brains that have made us so succesful (along with our broadly omnivorous diet) that we now inhabit almost every part of the planet. They don't come cheap, either- we have a protracted childhood (compared to other animals) in order to develop them. As for language, we have the most developed language by far (probably... who knows what dolphins are saying?), but other primates can plan, work with some abstract concepts, and learn sign language. I think they have more language in the wild than we generally give them credit for.
Don't get me wrong- language, and our ability to 'fix' it in the form of written language, is an awesome thing, but I don't think it's entirely correct to say that there is no abstract thought without it, just an impared ability to communicate those thoughts to others. Much of the time I think in pictures, which have to be translated into words before I can communicate them. If my dogs have abstract thoughts (not sure about the malamute mix, but I suspect the aussie does), they are in pictures or sensations (smells?) rather than words.
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And I shall go as an Otter lank
and harry thee close from bank to bank
And I shall go in the Lady's name
all to bring thee home again
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