John mcwhorter june 7, 2016 the language we speak shapes how we experience life, creating a world view based on its vocabulary and. Feb 20, 2014 in the language hoax, john mcwhorter argues against the notion that people who speak in different languages have differing conceptions of the world around them. It is on this smidgen of truth, argues mcwhorter, that a grand and mistaken theory has been erected. In his book the second world war, winston churchill suggested that one reason for japans disastrous defeat at the battle of midway was the cumbersome nature of the japanese language. Why the world looks the same in any language 208pp. One of the approximately eleven books i managed to stash away in my tiny carry on and take with me back to mexico after the polyglot. The fact that a language has only one word for eat, drink, and smoke doesnt mean its speakers dont 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. This short, opinionated book addresses the sapirwhorf hypothesis, which argues that the language we speak shapes the way we perceive the. Mcwhorter argues that that all humans process life the same way, regardless of their language takes a perspective encompassing the worlds languages.
His thesis is that spoken language does not impact thinking or cultural values in a meaningful way, and despite the wide variety of grammars and vocabularies across cultures, the. Bevaka the language hoax sa far du ett mejl nar boken gar att kopa igen. This short, opinionated audiobook addresses the sapirwhorf hypothesis, which argues that the language we speak shapes the way we perceive the world. Why the world looks the same in any language oxford up, 2014, is that, for there to be winners, there must also be losers people who are held back by their language. Jan 14, 2016 one of the approximately eleven books i managed to stash away in my tiny carry on and take with me back to mexico after the polyglot conference was an autographed copy of john mcwhorter s the language hoax, signed in situ because he was one of the speakers at the conference and being honest, i felt like it was fine to fangirl a little bit because his presentation was quite frankly.
The language hoax the center for the study of languages and. Books by john mcwhorter author of our magnificent bastard. Jul 18, 2014 one problem with this idea, as john mcwhorter points out in his new book the language hoax. Mcwhorter 2016, trade paperback at the best online prices at ebay. Why the world looks the same in any language by mc whorter, john h. Apr 01, 2014 mcwhorter is usually great to listen to, less so to read. This is an excellent deconstruction of the much loved argument from linguistic relativity. In this book he manages to be as good in print as he usually is in person. The final chapter of this book is a plea for respect for humanity pp. It can be ordered now for delivery when back in stock. Cart hello select your address best sellers todays deals new releases electronics books customer service.
A natural history of language, our magnificent bastard tongue. One problem with this idea, as john mcwhorter points out in his new book the language hoax. Mcwhorter, oxford university press, oxford and new york, 2016. Mcwhorter the power of babel, a linguistics professor at columbia university, celebrates the diversity of languages and the. By calling his book a manifesto, he places himself in the tradition of revolutionaries and iconoclastic modernists. This book, by popular linguist john mcwhorter, attacks the sapirwhorf theory, a theory that claims that the grammatical and lexical features of languages shape thought and culture. In the language hoax, john mcwhorter argues against the notion that people who speak in different languages have differing conceptions of the world around. Sep 02, 2020 this short, opinionated book addresses the sapirwhorf hypothesis, which argues that the language we speak shapes the way we perceive the world. The language hoax featuring john mcwhorter talk the talk.
Why the world looks the same in any language, by john h. Why the world looks the same in any language by john mcwhorter read by online at alibris. Mcwhorter, 9780199361588, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. May, 2016 the language hoax presents john mcwhorter s manifesto against this position. Buy the language hoax by john h mcwhorter online at alibris. That idea, that language influences thought, is called academically the whorfian hypothesis or sapirwhorf hypothesis and has been around for nearly a century in varying forms. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the language hoax. The language hoax has a sharpedged title, but a generous and methodical approach to the evidence on both sides of the language shapesthought debate. Mcwhorter shows us how appealing and yet how ludicrous this argument is when examined in any detail. Language hoax, the 9781531811907 by john mcwhorter and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Mcwhorter s slim but finely wrought volume argues that the exotification of speakers of nonwestern languages perpetuates inequality. Linguist john mcwhorter argues that while this idea. The language hoax kindle edition by mcwhorter, john h. Ive listened to quite a few books about the development of.
I just finished the language hoax by john mcwhorter. Why the world looks the same in any language john h. John mcwhorter has 38 books on goodreads with 61160 ratings. This short, opinionated book addresses the sapirwhorf hypothe sis, which argues that the language we speak shapes the way we perceive the world. The language hoax presents john mcwhorters manifesto against this position. Linguist john mcwhorter argues that while this idea is mesmerizing, it is plainly wrong. Because it focuses somewhat narrowly on the debate about the sapirwhorf hypothesis and its neowhorfian revival, the language hoax didnt glue me to its pages with the same level of intensity that some of mcwhorter s other titles have, including our magnificent bastard tongue, which gives different insights into the history english than i. This short, opinionated book addresses the sapirwhorf hypothesis, which argues that the language we speak shapes the way we perceive the world. Mcwhorter is critical of the idea, associated with the famed linguist noam chomsky, of a universal grammar that all languages share. Mcwhorter is usually great to listen to, less so to read. John mcwhorter is professor of linguistics at columbia university and author of many books, including the power of babel. The language hoax presents john mcwhorter s manifesto against this position. Challenges the sapirwhorf hypothesis, which claims that the language people speak shapes the way they perceive the world, arguing against the use of language as a.
Aug 07, 2014 the language hoax presents john mcwhorter s manifesto against this position. Mcwhorter is arguing against the notion that language affects thought in some profound way. Jun 10, 2014 john mcwhorter is the author of the language hoax, and he tells daniel and ben why the sapirwhorf hypothesis is the most popular bad idea in linguistics on this episode of talk the talk. The untold story of english, and what language is, what it isnt, and what it could be. This theory somehow ended up gaining popular currency and has even made its way to popular media, most notably in last years arrival.
It is language that reflects culture and worldview, not the other way. Jun 01, 2016 buy language hoax reprint by mcwhorter, john h. Apr 15, 2014 the language hoax has a sharpedged title, but a generous and methodical approach to the evidence on both sides of the language shapesthought debate. The purpose of john mcwhorters book is to expose the hoax and convince readers that this intriguing concept is not just wrong but full of hidden. Linguist, professor, and author john mcwhorter has featured on sentence first a few. The language hoax john h mcwhorter bok 9780199361588. Russian has separate terms for dark and light blue. It is language that reflects culture and worldview, not the other way around. Japanese has a term that covers both green and blue. Apr 01, 2014 this short, opinionated book addresses the sapirwhorf hypothe sis, which argues that the language we speak shapes the way we perceive the world. Kerstin hoge, times higher education john mcwhorter wishes to drive a stake through the heart of that claim, known as the safirwhorf hypothesis, or the language aslens theory. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Mcwhorter argues that that all humans process life the same way, regardless of their language takes a perspective encompassing the worlds languages rather than just a few at a time provides a sociopolitical analysis of the issue and its history. John mcwhorter s most popular book is our magnificent bastard tongue.
Nonetheless, john mcwhorter has gathered the most comprehensive case for the prosecution out there, which will make both specialists and general readers think again. Since 2008, he has taught linguistics, american studies, and in the core curriculum program at columbia university and is currently an associate professor in. The language hoax is a welcome antidote to unqualified whorfian claims and pronouncements. And thats a much less palatable idea, whether we think that its hopi or.
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