Through the Language Glass

Why the World Looks Different in Other Languages

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Linguistics
Cover of the book Through the Language Glass by Guy Deutscher, Henry Holt and Co.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Guy Deutscher ISBN: 9781429970112
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. Publication: August 31, 2010
Imprint: Metropolitan Books Language: English
Author: Guy Deutscher
ISBN: 9781429970112
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Publication: August 31, 2010
Imprint: Metropolitan Books
Language: English

A masterpiece of linguistics scholarship, at once erudite and entertaining, confronts the thorny question of how—and whether—culture shapes language and language, culture

Linguistics has long shied away from claiming any link between a language and the culture of its speakers: too much simplistic (even bigoted) chatter about the romance of Italian and the goose-stepping orderliness of German has made serious thinkers wary of the entire subject. But now, acclaimed linguist Guy Deutscher has dared to reopen the issue. Can culture influence language—and vice versa? Can different languages lead their speakers to different thoughts? Could our experience of the world depend on whether our language has a word for "blue"?

Challenging the consensus that the fundaments of language are hard-wired in our genes and thus universal, Deutscher argues that the answer to all these questions is—yes. In thrilling fashion, he takes us from Homer to Darwin, from Yale to the Amazon, from how to name the rainbow to why Russian water—a "she"—becomes a "he" once you dip a tea bag into her, demonstrating that language does in fact reflect culture in ways that are anything but trivial. Audacious, delightful, and field-changing, Through the Language Glass is a classic of intellectual discovery.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

A masterpiece of linguistics scholarship, at once erudite and entertaining, confronts the thorny question of how—and whether—culture shapes language and language, culture

Linguistics has long shied away from claiming any link between a language and the culture of its speakers: too much simplistic (even bigoted) chatter about the romance of Italian and the goose-stepping orderliness of German has made serious thinkers wary of the entire subject. But now, acclaimed linguist Guy Deutscher has dared to reopen the issue. Can culture influence language—and vice versa? Can different languages lead their speakers to different thoughts? Could our experience of the world depend on whether our language has a word for "blue"?

Challenging the consensus that the fundaments of language are hard-wired in our genes and thus universal, Deutscher argues that the answer to all these questions is—yes. In thrilling fashion, he takes us from Homer to Darwin, from Yale to the Amazon, from how to name the rainbow to why Russian water—a "she"—becomes a "he" once you dip a tea bag into her, demonstrating that language does in fact reflect culture in ways that are anything but trivial. Audacious, delightful, and field-changing, Through the Language Glass is a classic of intellectual discovery.

More books from Henry Holt and Co.

Cover of the book Cecil in Space by Guy Deutscher
Cover of the book The Boy and the Blue Moon by Guy Deutscher
Cover of the book Words on the Move by Guy Deutscher
Cover of the book The One Facing Us by Guy Deutscher
Cover of the book Romeo's Ex by Guy Deutscher
Cover of the book Real American by Guy Deutscher
Cover of the book Centaur Rising by Guy Deutscher
Cover of the book The High King by Guy Deutscher
Cover of the book Lucy the Good by Guy Deutscher
Cover of the book Harmonic Feedback by Guy Deutscher
Cover of the book Rising Powers, Shrinking Planet by Guy Deutscher
Cover of the book Feliz Nochebuena, Feliz Navidad by Guy Deutscher
Cover of the book Cousins and Strangers by Guy Deutscher
Cover of the book Return to Daemon Hall by Guy Deutscher
Cover of the book A Change of Climate by Guy Deutscher
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy