Understanding Cultures Through Their Key Words (english, Russian, Polish, German, And Japanese)

By (author) Wierzbicka, Anna
Short description/annotation:
This work demonstrates that every language has its "key concepts" (expressed in key words) and that these concepts reflect the core values of the culture in question. It shows that cultures can be revealingly studied, compared and explained to outsiders through their key concepts.
Description:
Wierzbicka demonstrates that every language has its "key concepts" (expressed in key words) and that these concepts reflect the core values of the culture in question. Examining empirical evidence from five languages, and using her own "natural semantic metalanguage" to provide an analytical framework, she shows that cultures can be revealingly studied, compared, and explained to outsiders through their key concepts.
Review quote:
For anyone new to the cultures discussed, Wierzbicka''s work provides a useful starting point ... anyone with an interest in the cultures Wierzbicka discusses would find this book a fascinating first step ... provides a variety of goodies, and the accumulated data will surely send readers'' minds rolling in interesting directions.
Biographical note:
Dr. Anna Wierzbicka is Professor of Linguistics at the Australian National University. She has lectured extensively at universities in Europe, America, and Japan, and is the author of many books, including Semantics: Primes and Universals (OUP, 1996) and Semantics, Culture, and Cognition: Universal Human Concepts in Human-Specific Configurations (OUP, 1992).
Review quote: previous edition:
"There is a lot to be gleaned from just about anything produced by Wierzbicka-the "key words book"... is no exception...The observations are plentiful and fascinating... [Wierzbicka] has done more than anyone else to really "understand cultures through their key words."-- Word, 51 [2000]
Publisher''s notice:
Dr. Anna Wierzbicka is Professor of Linguistics at the Australian National University. She has lectured extensively at universities in Europe, America, and Japan, and is the author of many books, including Semantics: Primes and Universals (OUP, 1996) and Semantics, Culture, and Cognition: Universal Human Concepts in Human-Specific Configurations (OUP, 1992).
Version history:
Selling point: *Presents a major new theory of culture-independent semantics Selling point: *Author is an international star in anthropological linguistics Selling point: *Semantics, Culture, and Cognition sold 2350 copies in paperback, including 1137 to export markets Selling point: *Special focus on Japanese, Australian English, Polish, and Russian
Feature:
Selling point: *Presents a major new theory of culture-independent semantics Selling point: *Author is an international star in anthropological linguistics Selling point: *Semantics, Culture, and Cognition sold 2350 copies in paperback, including 1137 to export markets Selling point: *Special focus on Japanese, Australian English, Polish, and Russian