Why the World Looks Different in Other Languages, Book Review Example

About the Book       

 Linguistics is one subject that basically gives a definite sense of how people tend to use words in order to define the mandate by which language constructions are able to make a definite indication on how culture itself is redefined in order to make a good sense of what is understood as social constructs of perception based on how people understand color, gender and spatial thinking. With regards these three particular elements of understanding. Linguistics is one subject that has been controversially discussed by experts and scholars as they aim to redefine the way that language in itself is used by humans and examine how it is able to create a necessary connection that humans could use to redefine the way they understand matters depending on where they are, who they mingle with and what culture they are immersing themselves into.

 About the Author

Guy Deutscher is an author noted for his clear definition of what linguistics is all about and how its study ought to change the overall understanding of the society towards the most contradicting patterns of connection that humans gain when they use language as a tool for communication. In this reading material, Deutscher challenges the ways by which human perception over language and its real value towards cultural establishment is able to make a definite mark especially on how individuals themselves perceive realities around them.

Critique of Theme

Language is a very important part of human connections and human development in societies. It could not be denied that it is because of this tool that humans are able to create a proper mandate on how developmental options of social improvement is being considered as part of the evolution of linguistics from one community compared to another. This is the reason why the theme in this reading presents a rather important aspect of development that basically defines the consideration over how language itself identifies individual value of language perception and how it affects language culture as well.

Critique of Writing

Deutscher’s writing could be considered rather superior especially in commanding the most important part by which he influences his readers through the use of effective and superior reference that would define his message more thoroughly. Among the references he used included the British Prime Minister Gladstone’s commentary with regards the real value of color in relation to how it has been used through Homer’s works of in Iliad. He also included in his writing the work of Berlin with regards the Kay model whereas all languages are intended to split up the color spectrum in different ways depending on the value of perception and thinking. The cultural sector of one’s capacity to understand personal identification and perception over the meaning of a particular word specifically creates a proper mandate on how the value of the said word would actually create a distinction on what the person would perceive upon hearing the term itself.

In a way, it could be agreed upon that Deutscher’s writing is a definite representation of good command on language and meaning that identifies well as to how humans actually tend to embrace the culture of language-definition that they usually adapt to depending on their social constructs. Noticeably, it could be understood that somehow, the capacity of Deutscher to be of higher command in the way he presents his arguments makes this whole reading authoritative in its own field; making it a valid reference.

References

Deustcher, G.(2011).  Through the Language Glass: Why the World Looks Different in Other Languages. Picardor Publishing.

Chierchia, Gennaro and Sally McConnell-Ginet (2000). Meaning and Grammar: An Introduction to Semantics. MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Chomsky, Noam. (1995). Aspects of the Theory of Syntax. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Nichols, Johanna (1994). “Functional Theories of Grammar”. Annual Review of Anthropology 13: 97–117.