Universal History of Linguistics: India, China, Arabia, EuropeJohn Benjamins Publishing, 5 dic 1991 - 368 pagine This wide-ranging book presents the linguistic achievements of four major cultures to readers presumably conversant with modern theoretical linguistics. The chapter on India discusses in detail P?n?ini's (c. 400 B.C.) grammar Ast-adhy-ay-i as well as the work of his commentators K?ty?yana, Patanjali, and Bhartr?hari. In the Chinese tradition, the Confucian doctrine of the Rectification of Names' is singled out for treatment. Arabic linguistics is represented by Sibawaihi's (d. 793) grammar al-Kit?b, in particular its syntax, as well as the subsequent commentary tradition. The chapter on Europe, which is the most comprehensive of the four, covers the time span from antiquity to the 20th century; special attention is devoted to the contributions of Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, Varro, Apollonius Dyscolus, and the Modistae. The achievements of the cultures in linguistics are treated throughout from a deliberately value-laden point of view. The achievements of Western antiquity and the Middle Ages are shown to be much more than the average linguist is inclined to believe. Even more importantly, it is shown that the Indian and the Arab traditions have been superior to the European tradition at least until the 20th century. The fact that a linguistic theory created some 2,400 years ago is fully as adequate as our best theories today must have far-reaching implications for the notion of 'scientific progress'. More precisely, it proves necessary to distinguish between 'progress in the human sciences' and 'progress in the natural sciences'. These issues, which pertain to the general philosophy of science, are treated in the final chapter of the book. |
Sommario
1 | |
5 | |
3 China | 89 |
4 Arabia | 125 |
5 Europe | 165 |
6 Implications for the Philosophy of Science | 325 |
7 Conclusion | 347 |
349 | |
363 | |
Altre edizioni - Visualizza tutto
Universal History of Linguistics: India, China, Arabia, Europe Esa Itkonen Anteprima non disponibile - 1991 |
Universal History of Linguistics: India, China, Arabia, Europe Esa Itkonen Anteprima non disponibile - 1991 |
Parole e frasi comuni
abstract action affix agent analogy analysis Apollonius Arab linguists Aristotle Aristotle’s basic Bhartrhari Boethius Chuang Tzu claim combination compound concepts conflict Confucius construction contains context copula correct corresponding Cratylus defined definition derivation difficult discussion distinction endings entities example exemplified existence explained expression rules fact find first formal governance grammarians grammatical theory history of linguistics human identical infinite inflection influence instance interpretation isomorphism justified karaka Katyayana language latter lexical logic meaning Mencius mental mind modes Modistae namely natural norm notion noun object one’s ontological Panini’s Panini’s grammar Paninian Patafijali philosophy phusei Plato preceding predicate present Priscian pronoun proposition psychological reality rectification reflect relation represented School of Names scientific semantic sense sentence-type Sibawaihi Siger signifies signify specific Stoics structure syntactic syntax Taoism things thinking Thomas of Erfurt thought tradition universal grammar Western whereas word-classes words