English
Meaning and Culture
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Product details:
- Publisher OUP USA
- Date of Publication 25 May 2006
- ISBN 9780195174755
- Binding Paperback
- No. of pages368 pages
- Size 156x234x23 mm
- Weight 522 g
- Language English 0
Categories
Short description:
It is widely accepted that English is the first truly global language and lingua franca. Its dominance has even led to its use and adaptation by local communities for their own purposes and needs. One might see English in this context as being simply a neutral, universal vehicle for the expression of local thoughts and ideas. In fact, English words and phrases have embedded in them a wealth of cultural baggage that is invisible to most native speakers. Anna Wierzbicka, a distinguished linguist known for her theories of semantics, has written the first book that connects the English language with what she terms "Anglo" culture. Wierzbicka points out that language and culture are not just interconnected, but inseparable. This is evident to non-speakers trying to learn puzzling English expressions. She uses original research to investigate the "universe of meaning" within the English language (both grammar and vocabulary) and places it in historical and geographical perspective. For example, she looks at the history of the terms "right" and "wrong" and how with the influence of the Reformation "right" came to mean "correct." She examines the ideas of "fairness" and "reasonableness" and shows that, far from being cultural universals, they are in fact unique creations of modern English. This engrossing and fascinating work of scholarship should appeal not only to linguists and others concerned with language and culture, but the large group of scholars studying English and English as a second language.
MoreLong description:
It is widely accepted that English is the first truly global language and lingua franca. Its dominance has even led to its use and adaptation by local communities for their own purposes and needs. One might see English in this context as being simply a neutral, universal vehicle for the expression of local thoughts and ideas. In fact, English words and phrases have embedded in them a wealth of cultural baggage that is invisible to most native speakers. Anna Wierzbicka, a distinguished linguist known for her theories of semantics, has written the first book that connects the English language with what she terms "Anglo" culture. Wierzbicka points out that language and culture are not just interconnected, but inseparable. This is evident to non-speakers trying to learn puzzling English expressions. She uses original research to investigate the "universe of meaning" within the English language (both grammar and vocabulary) and places it in historical and geographical perspective. For example, she looks at the history of the terms "right" and "wrong" and how with the influence of the Reformation "right" came to mean "correct." She examines the ideas of "fairness" and "reasonableness" and shows that, far from being cultural universals, they are in fact unique creations of modern English. This engrossing and fascinating work of scholarship should appeal not only to linguists and others concerned with language and culture, but the large group of scholars studying English and English as a second language.
A great book, one which must be applauded. The strength of the book is to propose a kind of linguistics which takes into account the various, subtle, rich, and extremely interesting interactions between language and cultural scripts. Given that books like this are rare, the author deserves countless words of praise.
Table of Contents:
Part I. Meaning, History and Culture
English as a cultural universe
Anglo cultural scripts as seen through Middle Eastern eyes
Part II. English words, From Philosophy to everyday discourse
The story of RIGHT and WRONG and its cultural implications
Being REASONABLE: A key Anglo value and its cultural roots
Being FAIR: Another key Anglo value and its cultural underpinnings
Part III. Anglo culture reflected in English Grammar
The English Causatives: Causation and interpersonal relations
I THINK: The rise of epistemic phrases in modern English
PROBABLY: English epistemic adverbs and their cultural significance
Part IV. Conclusion
The "cultural baggage" of English and its significance in the world at large
