The first glossary to cover the theories, debates, concepts, problems and philosophers within the philosophy of language in one volume. This essential reference tool, written in a language accessible to beginners and non-specialists alike, provides concise and precise entries on all the relevant key terms and issues. It includes extensive cross-references which indicate the contexts of each entry, and can be used to deepen understanding of any given topic. Philosophy of Language A-Z offers clear and thorough guidance on how to negotiate the complexities of the philosophy of language.

 

Philosophy of Language introduces the non-specialist to the main issues and theories in twentieth-century philosophy of language, focusing specifically on linguistic phenomena. Part I explores several theories of how proper names, descriptions, and other terms bear a referential relation to non-linguistic objects. Part II surveys competing theories of linguistic meaning and compares their various advantages and liabilities. Part III introduces the basic concepts of linguistic pragmatics, includes a detailed discussion of the problems of indirect force, and Part IV examines linguistic theories of metaphor.

 

Table of Contents:

    Noam Chomsky, "Knowledge of Language: Its Nature, Origin and Use"

    Gottlob Frege, "Ueber Sinn und Bedeutung"

    Bertrand Russell, "Descriptions"

    Donald Davidson, "Truth and Meaning"

    Saul Kripke, "Naming and Necessity"

II. Mental States and Linguistic Content (The Knowledge Perspective)

     H. Paul Grice, "Meaning"

    Jerry A. Fodor, "Propositional Attitudes"

    Daniel C. Dennett, "Three Kinds of Intentional Psychology"

    B. Skeptical Worries

    W.V.O. Quine, "Two Dogmas of Empiricism"

    Ludwig Wittgenstein, from "Philosophical Investigations"

III. Language and Speakers (The Use Perspective)

    A. Speech Acts

    John L. Austin, "Performative Utterances"

    John R. Searle, "What is a Speech Act?"

    B. Speaker’s Meaning and Reference

    H. Paul Grice, "Logic and Conversation"

    Peter F. Strawson, "On Referring"

    Keith Donnellan, "Reference and Definite Descriptions"

    Donald Davidson, "What Metaphors Mean"

The coining of novel lexical items and the creative manipulation of existing words and expressions is heavily dependent on contextual factors, including the semantic, stylistic, textual and social environments in which they occur. The twelve specialists contributing to this collection aim to illuminate creativity in word formation with respect to functional discourse roles, but also examine ‘critical creativity’ determined by language policy, as well as diachronic phonetic variation in creatively-coined words.