English: Meaning and Culture
It is widely accepted that English is the first truly global language and lingua franca. Its dominance has even led to its use and adaptation by local communities for their own purposes and needs. One might see English in this context as being simply a neutral, universal vehicle for the expression of local thoughts and ideas. In fact, English words and phrases have embedded in them a wealth of cultural baggage that is invisible to most native speakers. Anna Wierzbicka, a distinguished...
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It is widely accepted that English is the first truly global language and lingua franca. Its dominance has even led to its use and adaptation by local communities for their own purposes and needs. One might see English in this context as being simply a neutral, universal vehicle for the expression of local thoughts and ideas. In fact, English words and phrases have embedded in them a wealth of cultural baggage that is invisible to most native speakers. Anna Wierzbicka, a distinguished linguist known for her theories of semantics, has written the first book that connects the English language with what she terms "Anglo" culture.Wierzbicka points out that language and culture are not just interconnected, but inseparable. This is evident to non-speakers trying to learn puzzling English expressions. She uses original research to investigate the "universe of meaning" within the English language (both grammar and vocabulary) and places it in historical and geographical perspective. For example, she looks at the history of the terms "right" and "wrong" and how with the influence of the Reformation "right" came to mean "correct." She examines the ideas of "fairness" and "reasonableness" and shows that, far from being cultural universals, they are in fact unique creations of modern English. This engrossing and fascinating work of scholarship should appeal not only to linguists and others concerned with language and culture, but the large group of scholars studying English and English as a second language.
Part IMeaning, History and Culture1English as a Cultural Universe31.1English-the most widely used language in the world31.2English and Englishes51.3An illustration: Words, scripts, and human lives71.4"Anglo English" as a historical formation91.5The tendency to mistake "Anglo English" for the human norm111.6The cultural underpinnings of (Anglo) English131.7A framework for studying and describing meaning162Anglo Cultural Scripts Seen through Middle Eastern Eyes202.1Linguistics and intercultural cCommunication202.2The theory of cultural scripts222.3The Anglo ideal of "accuracy" and the practice of "understatement"252.4"To the best of my knowledge..."352.5Anglo respect for "facts"412.6"Cool reason": to think vs. to feel462.7To compel or not to compel? The value of autonomy502.8Conclusion56Part IIEnglish Words: From Philosophy to Everyday Discourse3The Story of Right and Wrong and Its Cultural Implications613.1Introduction613.2"Right" and "wrong": A basis for ethics?643.3The link between "right" and "reason"703.4"That's right"743.5An illustration: English vs. Italian763.6"Right" as a neutral ground between "good" and "true"783.7Procedural morality803.8"Right" and "wrong": Increasingly asymmetrical823.9The changing frequencies of true, truth, right, and wrong853.10"Right" as a response in dialogue873.11"Right" and cultural scripts923.12Retrospect and conclusion: The Puritans, the Enlightenment, the growth of democracy954Being Reasonable: A Key Anglo Value and Its Cultural Roots1034.1Introduction1034.2The pre-Enlightenment uses of "reasonable"1044.3The main themes in the modern meanings of the word reasonable1054.4"A reasonable man"1074.5"It is reasonable to" think (say, do) ...1124.6"Reasonable doubt"1174.7"Reasonable force" and "reasonable care"1234.8"A reasonable time," "A reasonable amount"1254.9"Reasonable" as "reasonably good"1274.10"Reasonable" and "unreasonable"1284.11An internal reconstruction of the semantic history of "reasonable"1334.12"Reasonable" and Anglo cultural scripts1354.13Is the Anglo value of "reasonable" unique? English vs. French1385Being Fair: Another Key Anglo Value and Its Cultural Underpinnings1415.1The importance of "fairness" in modern Anglo culture1415.2The meaning of fair and not fair1445.3"Fairness" and Anglo political philosophy1525.4"Fairness" vs. "justice"1555.5The illusion of universality1605.6"Fairness" and "fair play": A historical perspective1635.7"Fairness" and "procedural morality"165Part IIIAnglo Culture Reflected in English Grammar6The English Causatives: Causation and Interpersonal Relations1716.1The cultural elaboration of causation1716.2The English "let"-constructions and the cultural ideal of "noninterference"1837I Think: The Rise of Epistemic Phrases in Modern English2047.1Introduction2047.2I think2087.3I suppose2087.4I guess2097.5I gather2107.6I presume2127.7I believe2137.8I find2207.9I expect2267.10I take It2307.11I understand2337.12I imagine2357.13I bet2367.14I suspect2377.15I assume2397.16Conclusion2418Probably: English Epistemic Adverbs and Their Cultural Significance2478.1Introduction2478.2Developing a format for the semantic analysis of epistemic adverbs2578.3"Probably" and "likely": The heart of the category of epistemic adverbs2618.4"Confident" adverbs: Evidently, clearly, obviously2708.5"Nonconfident" adverbs: Possibly and conceivably2768.6Hearsay adverbs: Apparently, supposedly, allegedly, and reportedly2788.7The "uncertain" status of certainly2848.8Epistemic adverbs vs. discourse particles2878.9The history of epistemic adverbs in modern english291Part IVConclusion9The "Cultural Baggage" of English and Its Significance in the World at Large2999.1The legacy of history2999.2Living with concepts3009.3Two illustrations: International law and international aviation3019.4Communication and "vibes"3059.5Intercultural communication and cross-cultural education3089.6English in the world today310Notes315References325Index341
