Language, Culture, and Society Key Topics in Linguistic Anthropology [Hardcover]

A discussion of some important questions in linguistic anthropology, the study of language in relation to culture and social interaction.How does language influence our perception of the world? How do children learn to use language appropriately? How far does language contribute to the formation of our personalities? In what ways does language make us human? This volume brings together a team of leading specialists to discuss these important questions.How does language influence our perception of the world? How do children learn to use language appropriately? How far does language contribute to the formation of our personalities? In what ways does language make us human? This volume brings together a team of leading specialists to discuss these important questions.Language, our primary tool of thought and perception, is at the heart of who we are as individuals. Languages are constantly changing, sometimes into entirely new varieties of speech, leading to subtle differences in how we present ourselves to others. This revealing account brings together eleven leading specialists from the fields of linguistics, anthropology, philosophy and psychology, to explore the fascinating relationship between language, culture, and social interaction. A range of major questions are discussed: How does language influence our perception of the world? How do new languages emerge? How do children learn to use language appropriately? What factors determine language choice in bi- and multilingual communities? How far does language contribute to the formation of our personalities? And finally, in what ways does language make us human? Language, Culture and Society will be essential reading for all those interested in language and its crucial role in our social lives.Introduction: Walking through walls Christine Jourdan and Kevin Tuite; 1. An issue about language Charles Taylor; 2. Linguistic relativities John Leavitt; 3. Benjamin Lee Whorf and the boasian foundations of contemporary el3