LANGUAGE IN ACTION

by S. I. Hayakawa ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 21, 1941

A Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology takes up where Stuart Chase left off -- in the Tyranny of Words. He puts into practice the new science of semantics, the meaning of words, so that the average person may have a clearer knowledge of the working of language. Fascinating, irritating, this science of precision enables you to determine the effects of the words you use, to safeguard against persuasion or dissuasion, argument or propaganda, influence or inference. From the definition of language he proceeds to clarify its accuracy (""scientific verifiability""), the determination of the true context of words, and their applications, whether for connotative or denotative purposes, etc. This has many grounds for success; first, on the basis of personal education, similar to Adler's How To Read A Book; further as a simple, enlightening, and often humorous application of a provocative -- and beneficial -- science. Book Of The Month Club Selection for December, co-selection with Storm by George R. Stewart.

Pub Date: Nov. 21, 1941

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harcourt Brace

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1941

Categories: NONFICTION