37.2254, Reviews: Language as an Ecological Phenomenon: Sune Vork Steffensen, Stephen Cowley, Martin Döring (eds.) (2024)

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Subject: 37.2254, Reviews: Language as an Ecological Phenomenon: Sune Vork Steffensen, Stephen Cowley, Martin Döring (eds.) (2024)

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Date: 04-Jul-2026
From: Laxmi Prasad Khatiwada [lkhatiwada at gmail.com]
Subject: Anthropological Linguistics, General Linguistics, Sociolinguistics: Sune Vork Steffensen, Stephen Cowley, Martin Döring (eds.) (2024)


Book announced at https://linguistlist.org/issues/35-3601

Title: Language as an Ecological Phenomenon
Subtitle: Languaging and Bioecologies in Human-Environment
Relationships
Publication Year: 2024

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
           http://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/
Book URL:
https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/language-as-an-ecological-phenomenon-9781350304482/

Editor(s): Sune Vork Steffensen, Stephen Cowley, Martin Döring

Reviewer: Laxmi Prasad Khatiwada

Summary
"Language as an Ecological Phenomenon: Language and Biological Ecology
in Human-Environment Relations" is a book in the field of ecological
linguistics published by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC in the series
Bloomsbury Advances in Ecological Linguistics. The book was published
in the United Kingdom in 2024. The content of this book is collected
from 14 contributors and edited by Sune Vorke Stefansson, Martin
Doring and Stephen J. Cowley. The book is divided into three parts:
first the introductory portion, followed by Parts One and Two. In the
introductory portion the editors explore the essential nature of
Ecolinguistics and describe language and ecosystem, explaining how
language contributes to the sustainability of life in the universe.
The Rise of Ecolinguistics: A New Lens for Linguistic Research
The book asserts that ecolinguistics is rapidly transitioning from a
specialized area to a central pillar of linguistic research. This
interdisciplinary field bridges linguistics and ecology, exploring how
language shapes our perception and interaction with the environment.
Understanding this connection, it is asserted, is vital for addressing
pressing environmental challenges.
One of the key parts of "Language as an Ecological Phenomenon" is its
exploration of environmental discourse, i.e., the ways language is
used to analyze environmental issues, examine the relationship between
language and biodiversity and understand the impact of linguistic
choices on ecological practices. By scrutinizing how we speak about
the environment, ecolinguistics aims to identify and thwart harmful
practices while simultaneously promoting environmental awareness and
responsible action. The book advocates for a critical perspective on
ecolinguistics, positing it as an essential tool within applied
linguistics, a specialized branch of linguistic discourse and a
dedicated field for eco-corpus analysis.
The book’s goal is to identify a specific approach to ecolinguistics
that examines discourse and modes of communication through their
ecological impacts. This review emphasizes that the "ecosophy"
presented within the book ultimately aims to foster social justice and
ecological sustainability. This involves understanding how climate
change, for instance, is framed within language and how linguistic
constructs can either perpetuate environmental degradation or inspire
restorative actions. This makes ecolinguistics an invaluable tool for
tackling real-world environmental problems.
The Integrated Approach: Cognition, Evolution, and Environment
"Language as an Ecological Phenomenon" proposes an integrated
approach, drawing insights from ecological psychology, cognitive
science, evolutionary ecology, anthropology and cognitive linguistics.
This multidisciplinary perspective provides a comprehensive framework
for understanding how human cognition, embedded within an ecological
context, influences our linguistic practices and, consequently, our
environmental interactions. The book specifically champions a
discourse analysis-based approach to ecolinguistics, emphasizing the
critical role of language in shaping our environmental narratives. It
underscores how language is intrinsically connected to the
sustainability of life on Earth, suggesting that our linguistic habits
directly influence the health and longevity of our planet.
The book's structure systematically builds a comprehensive
understanding of these complex interconnections. A core theoretical
ambition of this book is to establish ecolinguistics as a full-fledged
theory of linguistic research. To achieve this, it argues for the
necessity of embedding cognitive and systemic functional elements of
linguistics within various linguistic domains, including characters,
voices, syntax, semantics, discourse, and pragmatics. This holistic
integration aims to provide a robust theoretical foundation for
ecolinguistic inquiry, moving it beyond a mere descriptive tool to a
powerful analytical framework capable of explaining complex
human-environment relations.
Beyond Human Language: Exploring Animal Articulation and Cognitive
Devices
One of the most intriguing aspects of the book is it's foray into
animal communication. The question whether animals can express
themselves in voice and whether humans can comprehend their
articulations is explored through a specific example (p. 39) which
attempts to map the articulation of a cow named Noor to human
understanding. While acknowledging that such communication is not "to
date" considered "language processing" or "lingual conversation" in
the human sense, this chapter suggests that this line of inquiry opens
up new avenues for linguistic analysis within ecology and ecosophy.
The book explains that domestic animals, like cows, can certainly
recognize human voices, having been exposed to them repeatedly. Their
perception of their surroundings relies on senses such as hearing,
vision, taste, and touch. However, the critical distinction lies in
whether this perception constitutes "language processing" or "lingual
conversation." The book, through this example, subtly challenges
conventional definitions of language, suggesting that ecolinguistics
might offer a framework for understanding broader forms of
communication beyond human linguistic structures. It indicates that
these explorations could lead to new forms of linguistic analysis
within ecological and ecosophical contexts.
The discussion then pivots to the question of whether ecolinguistics
is a separate linguistic theory or merely a branch. The subheading
"Ecolinguistics and the Cognitive Ecology" focuses on the concept of a
cognitive device as a theoretical framework. Cognitive ecology,
defined as the study of cognitive phenomena within social and natural
contexts, is presented as intrinsically linked to human culture and,
by extension, to ecolinguistics. This assessment explains that
cognitive devices encompass human perception and thought processes,
while animal cognition, although different, also involves processing
environmental information through the senses. This leads to the
conclusion that cognitive devices are indeed a part of the linguistic
theoretical framework for ecolinguistics.
However, the chapter then asserts that "language is a communication
tool rather than a thinking process." While acknowledging that
thinking is a linguistic knowing and part of the linguistic faculty, I
ultimately conclude that ecolinguistics remains a part or branch of
linguistics. It is deemed a "vital tool of eco-corpus analysis or
discourse analysis but not an independent linguistic theory. This
suggests a continuing debate within the field regarding
ecolinguistics' ontological status – whether it is an independent
theoretical construct or a specialized application of existing
linguistic theories.
Ecolinguistics: Contribution to Society and Sustainability
Regardless of its theoretical classification, the author strongly
emphasizes ecolinguistics' significant contribution to research
concerning human society and ecology. It has demonstrably shown the
crucial role of language in human life and sustainable development by
analyzing the intricate relationships between humans, other species,
plants, and the physical environment.
Ecolinguistics offers a linguistic approach that views people not just
as members of society but as integral components of entire ecosystems.
It highlights how linguistic analysis can be leveraged to address
critical ecological issues such as climate change, biodiversity and
its conservation, and environmental justice. By understanding how
language frames these issues, we can develop more effective
communication strategies to foster environmental responsibility.
A particularly insightful point raised is that environmental knowledge
is often deeply embedded in local languages and cultures. The given
book posits that the natural selection of animals and plants, much
like languages and dialects, is shaped by the climate and environment
of a particular place. This is vividly illustrated through the
interrelationship between language and food, extending from food
production to environmental discourse. Local names for food
ingredients, crops, farming practices, animal husbandry, and even food
processing techniques are all encoded within local languages.
This leads to a powerful argument: an imported language can never
fully absorb the extensive knowledge contained within a local
language. If attention is not paid to preserving this invaluable local
knowledge, not only will environmental understanding suffer, but also
cultural, linguistic, biological, and species-specific knowledge will
face an irreversible decline. This underscores the profound ecological
implications of linguistic diversity.
The central aim of the book is to explore whether animal articulations
can truly be understood as "language" in the human sense.
Historically, language studies have been anthropocentric, focusing
primarily on the role of language within human society. However, the
growing recognition of language's role within the broader ecosystem,
drawing insights from diverse fields like linguistics, ecology,
anthropology, sociology, and environmental studies, challenges this
narrow perspective.
This book tries to reiterate that the vocalization capacity of animals
like cows is well-documented. The specific "voice message between cow
(Noor) and human" mentioned in the book serves as a concrete example.
Cows produce distinct vocalizations that convey information about
their emotional states, such as repeated and persistent mooing when
hungry or in need of milking. Farmers, through repeated exposure,
learn to recognize these specific moos as "quasi linguistic signals"
for feeding or milking. Similarly, stress, discomfort, or pain in cows
often manifests as persistent mooing, sometimes accompanied by
high-frequency calls with a "lingual vibrating sound." Experienced
farmers and veterinarians can even identify individual cows by their
moos and body language.
Crucially, In this book it is acknowledged that cows can perceive
human voices and express themselves through vocalizations. They are
not merely hearing sounds but are interpreting the tone and manner of
human vocalizations. Regarding the expression of "thought," cow
vocalizations primarily convey information about their emotional
states, individuality, and immediate needs, rather than complex
abstract concepts. This distinction is vital for maintaining a
rigorous understanding of language while still acknowledging the
communicative richness of animal vocalizations.
Evaluation
The Last Word: A Call for Lingua-Cultural Awareness
In "The Last Word," I conclude that language is an intrinsic part of
ecological ideas, prompting linguists to delve into lingua-cultural
behavior. This broader perspective offers an alternative approach to
linguistic theory, one that integrates language behavior, ecological
perspectives, human sociality, and multilingual culture.
Ultimately, in this review of "Language as an Ecological Phenomenon" I
want to paint a compelling picture of ecolinguistics as a field of
immense importance. As a reviewer I want to highlight the book's
powerful argument for recognizing language not just as a human
construct, but as a dynamic force within the broader ecological
system. By examining how language shapes our perceptions, influences
our actions, and encodes vital environmental knowledge, ecolinguistics
provides crucial insights into fostering a more sustainable
relationship between humanity and the natural world.
"Language as an Ecological Phenomenon: Language and Biological Ecology
in Human-Environment Relations" presents ecolinguistics, not just as a
branch of linguistic study, but as a crucial theoretical framework for
understanding the intricate relationship between humanity and the
natural world. The book’s core message resonates with increasing
urgency in our modern age: language is not only a communication tool
but an ecological force, profoundly impacting our planet's
sustainability.



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