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Full Description
This book covers several related topics anchored in the idea of how meaning is created. The central focus in the book is, however, on how language awareness may help us communicate smoothly and solve social problems. The book takes up language misconceptions and their social significance, and promotes the view that regarding meaning (and language in general) as open and flexible, rather than closed and rigid, may lead to critical thinking, innovation, and creativity. The book covers topics such as words and things, words and emotions, fake news and hate speech, and it has been written in the form of short informal dialogues to engage readers and make linguistic concepts accessible.
Contents
1. Why talk about language.- 2. Things and what you call them: are you talking about words or animals?.- 3. Do not take words too seriously - shouldn't we really?.- 4. What does the word really mean? Look it up in the dictionary!.- 5. Meaning is imprecise - it will always be so!.- 6. Words are symbols and not signals - help and 'help!'.- 7. One more comment on words and definitions - stop complaining!.- 8. Define wisely or widely but not wildly - be reasonable!.- 9. Classifications cannot be right or wrong - Bach in Brazil.- 10. Words and emotions - "this drives me nuts".- 11. Framing - calling a dog an animal friend.- 12. Descriptions, inferences, and evaluations - how do you know this film is wonderful?.- 13. The dangerous verb 'be' - He lied but he is not a liar.- 14. Linguistic freedom, justice, democracy, and inequality - do we need a standard?.- 15. On the ladder of abstraction - about houses and structures.- 16. Hate speech - "he should be shot".- 17. Fake news - "fierce clashes in Peru".- 18. The power of advertisement - the best car ever.- 19. Miscellaneous - a little more for doctors, lawyers, and others.- 20. Poor Whoopi Goldberg.- 21. Conclusion: Beware of Words.
