Semantics, Culture, and Cognition: Universal Human Concepts in Culture-Specific Configurations - Couverture rigide

Wierzbicka, Anna

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0195073258 ISBN 13 : 9780195073256

Editeur : Oxford University Press Inc, 1992

Synopsis

In this study, Wierzbicka ranges across a wide variety of languages and cultures, attempting to identify concepts which are truly universal, while at the same time arguing that every language constitutes a different 'guide to reality'. The author demonstrates that the lexicons of different languages suggest different conceptual universes.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

To what extent are languages `essentially the same'? Is every word in our language translatable into every other language or are some of our words and concepts `culture specific'? In this innovative study, Wierzbicka ranges across a wide variety of languages and cultures, attempting to identify concepts which are truly universal, while at the same time arguing that every language constitutes a different `guide to reality'. The lexicons of different languages, she shows, do indeed suggest different conceptual universes. Not everything that can be said in one language can be said in another, and this is not just a matter of certain things being easier to say in one language than in another. In the development of her argument, Wierzbicka focuses on the words for emotion, moral concepts, names, and titles.

Revue de presse

Excellent cross-linguistic, cross-cultural penetration into how the mind works. Fascinating analysis of language as a mirror into the workings of the human soul. (Richard L. Wright, Howard University)

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Oxford University Press Inc
• Date d'édition: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0195073258
• ISBN 13: 9780195073256
• Reliure: Relié
• Langue: anglais
• Nombre de pages: 495
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible