
Multiculturalism as Multimodal Communication
A Semiotic Perspective
Alin Olteanu(Author)
Springer (Publisher)
Published on 22. May 2019
Book
Hardback
XVIII, 140 pages
978-3-030-17882-6 (ISBN)
Description
This highly readable book develops a numanistic, and specifically semiotic approach to multiculturalism. It reveals how semiotics provides fresh and valuable insights into multiculturalism: in contrast to the binary logic of dualistic philosophy, semiotic logic does not understand the value of truth in rigid terms of 'true' or 'false', 'right' or 'wrong' only. The value of truth resides in meaning, which is a dynamic, evolutionary phenomenon, rooted, nevertheless, in factuality.
Drawing on recent developments in biosemiotics, the book presents a theoretical approach to multiculturalism, regarding the lives of people living in multicultural environments. Rather than analyzing political or economic phenomena, it offers a semiotic analysis of multiculturalism and discusses its educational implications. It also invites readers to regard learning as a phenomenon of ecological sign growth and to understand multiculturalism along the same lines. As such, itbrings together the life and social sciences and the humanities in a unified perspective, in an approach fitting postmodernism.
Developing a postmodern philosophy for contemporary non-experts, which allows distancing from political discourse in favor of a posthumanistic stand, where altruism is seen as an opportunity, not a threat, this book appeals to a wide readership, from scholars seeking state-of-the-art theories to general readers looking for a thought-provoking and enlightening read.
Drawing on recent developments in biosemiotics, the book presents a theoretical approach to multiculturalism, regarding the lives of people living in multicultural environments. Rather than analyzing political or economic phenomena, it offers a semiotic analysis of multiculturalism and discusses its educational implications. It also invites readers to regard learning as a phenomenon of ecological sign growth and to understand multiculturalism along the same lines. As such, itbrings together the life and social sciences and the humanities in a unified perspective, in an approach fitting postmodernism.
Developing a postmodern philosophy for contemporary non-experts, which allows distancing from political discourse in favor of a posthumanistic stand, where altruism is seen as an opportunity, not a threat, this book appeals to a wide readership, from scholars seeking state-of-the-art theories to general readers looking for a thought-provoking and enlightening read.
Reviews / Votes
"This is a superbly committed, polemical volume which demonstrates the courage to consider the global crisis and to point the finger at its perpetrators: not the usual suspects, such as the media, the power elite or an undifferentiated other, but something closer to home - human conceptions. In the face of STEM and the crass, profit-driven attack on cultural life, and without resorting to unthinking multiculturalism and the liberal defence of human values, Olteanu presents a contemporary semiotic account of the relevant problems, exposing not so much the role of ideology in the humanitarian crisis but the centrality of human cognition and its most recent exercises in glottocentrism. This volume needs to be read by educational policy-makers, liberal academics and students, especially, as well as semioticians and the educated inquisitive reader." (Paul Cobley, Professor in Language and Media, Middlesex University, UK)
More details
Series
Edition
2019 ed.
Language
English
Place of publication
Cham
Switzerland
Publishing group
Springer International Publishing
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
3 s/w Abbildungen
XVIII, 140 p. 3 illus.
Dimensions
Height: 241 mm
Width: 160 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
412 gr
ISBN-13
978-3-030-17882-6 (9783030178826)
DOI
10.1007/978-3-030-17883-3
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
08/2020
Springer
€53.49
Shipment within 7-9 days

E-Book
05/2019
1st Edition
Springer
€53.49
Available for download
Person
Content
Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. A Peircean framework for Multiculturalism.- Chapter 3. Biosemiotics and Cultural Plurality.- Chapter 4. Ecosemiotics, learning and sharing.- Chapter 5. A Semiotic Theory of Multiculturalism.- Chapter 6. Practical implications.- Chapter 7. Concluding remarks.