25.3052, Qs: Role of content in 'value' of a language

Sat Jul 26 20:45:22 UTC 2014

LINGUIST List: Vol-25-3052. Sat Jul 26 2014. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 25.3052, Qs: Role of content in 'value' of a language

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Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2014 16:45:02
From: Thomas Hale [tah at psu.edu]
Subject: Role of content in 'value' of a language

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Promoters of the French language often cite not only what they see as the
intrinsic 'value' of the language, stemming from its 'clarity,' usage in
diplomacy, number of speakers, etc., but also the 'prestigious content'
that it has conveyed--e.g. the Rights of Man. In thls view, the message
contributes to the 'intrinsic' 'value' or 'prestige' of the language. Is
there a linguistic term for the supposed 'transfer' of 'value' from ideas
formulated in the language to the language itself? The entire concept is
absurd, but I'm looking for a term that might signify such a transfer.

Linguistic Field(s): Philosophy of Language

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