Understanding Cultures Through Their Key Words
English, Russian, Polish, German, and Japanese
Published on 6. November 1997
Book
Paperback/Softback
328 pages
978-0-19-508836-6 (ISBN)
Description
Wierzbicka demonstrates that every language has its "key concepts" (expressed in key words) and that these concepts reflect the core values of the culture in question. Examining empirical evidence from five languages, and using her own "natural semantic metalanguage" to provide an analytical framework, she shows that cultures can be revealingly studied, compared, and explained to outsiders through their key concepts.
Reviews / Votes
For anyone new to the cultures discussed, Wierzbicka's work provides a useful starting point ... anyone with an interest in the cultures Wierzbicka discusses would find this book a fascinating first step ... provides a variety of goodies, and the accumulated data will surely send readers' minds rolling in interesting directions. * Jean Aitchison, International Journal of Lexicography *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
540 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-508836-6 (9780195088366)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Anna Wierzbicka
Understanding Cultures through Their Key Words
English, Russian, Polish, German, and Japanese
E-Book
08/1997
1st Edition
OUP USA
€41.99
Available for download
Anna Wierzbicka
Understanding Cultures through Their Key Words
English, Russian, Polish, German, and Japanese
E-Book
08/1997
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€41.99
Available for download
Person
Dr. Anna Wierzbicka is Professor of Linguistics at the Australian National University. She has lectured extensively at universities in Europe, America, and Japan, and is the author of many books, including Semantics: Primes and Universals (OUP, 1996) and Semantics, Culture, and Cognition: Universal Human Concepts in Human-Specific Configurations (OUP, 1992).