27.4209, Books: The Language Hoax: McWhorter

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LINGUIST List: Vol-27-4209. Wed Oct 19 2016. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 27.4209, Books: The Language Hoax: McWhorter

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Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2016 11:42:11
From: Carolyn Napolitano [Carolyn.Napolitano at oup.com]
Subject: The Language Hoax: McWhorter

 


Title: The Language Hoax 
Publication Year: 2016 
Publisher: Oxford University Press
	   http://www.oup.com/us
	

Book URL: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-language-hoax-9780190468897 


Author: John H McWhorter

Paperback: ISBN:  9780190468897 Pages: 208 Price: U.S. $ 14.95


Abstract:

Editor’s Note: This is a new edition of a previously announced book.

Japanese has a term that covers both green and blue. Russian has separate
terms for dark and light blue. Does this mean that Russians perceive these
colors differently from Japanese people? Does language control and limit the
way we think? 

This short, opinionated book addresses the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, which
argues that the language we speak shapes the way we perceive the world.
Linguist John McWhorter argues that while this idea is mesmerizing, it is
plainly wrong. It is language that reflects culture and worldview, not the
other way around. The fact that a language has only one word for eat, drink,
and smoke doesn't mean its speakers don't process the difference between food
and beverage, and those who use the same word for blue and green perceive
those two colors just as vividly as others do. 

McWhorter shows not only how the idea of language as a lens fails but also why
we want so badly to believe it: we're eager to celebrate diversity by
acknowledging the intelligence of peoples who may not think like we do. Though
well-intentioned, our belief in this idea poses an obstacle to a better
understanding of human nature and even trivializes the people we seek to
celebrate. The reality -- that all humans think alike -- provides another,
better way for us to acknowledge the intelligence of all peoples.
 



Linguistic Field(s): Philosophy of Language


Written In: English  (eng)

See this book announcement on our website: 
http://linguistlist.org/pubs/books/get-book.cfm?BookID=107053

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