Language, Status, and Power in Iran (Advances in Semiotics) [Hardcover]

William O. Beeman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 22, 1986 | ISBN-10: 0253331390 | ISBN-13: 978-0253331397

"... excellent example... significant contribution... an important interdisciplinary work... " —Middle East Journal

"... an important contribution to aspects of Iranian social communication and interpersonal verbal behavior." —Language

By showing the reader the intricacies of face-to-face sociolinguistic interaction, William Beeman provides a key to understanding Iranian social and political life. Beeman's study in cross-cultural linguistics will clearly be a model for the study of different languages and cultures.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (October 22, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253331390
• ISBN-13: 978-0253331397
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,345,414 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #86 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Persian & Farsi

More About the Author

William O. Beeman is Professor and Chair of the Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota and Past-President of the Middle East Section of the American Anthropological Association. He was formerly Professor of Anthropology and Director of Middle East Studies at Brown University. Best known as a Middle East Specialist for more than 30 years, he has also worked in Central Asia, the Caucasus, Japan, China and South Asia. Recognized for special expertise in Iranian culture, he is the author or editor of more than 100 scholarly articles, 500 opinion pieces and 14 books, including Language, Status and Power in Iran, and The "Great Satan" vs. the "Mad Mullahs": How the United States and Iran Demonize Each Other. His forthcoming book from Mazda Press is Iranian Performance Forms: Keys to Iranian Culture. He has served as consultant to the United States State Department, the Department of Defense, the United Nations and the United States Congress. A frequent commentator on national and international radio and television, his written opinion pieces have also appeared in major newspapers throughout the world. He is also a professional opera singer (bass), and collaborated with stage director, Daniel Helfgot, on The Third Line: The Opera Performer as Interpreter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Absolute Classic Work on this subject, April 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Language, Status, and Power in Iran (Advances in Semiotics) (Hardcover)

This is one of the most insightful books ever written on language and culture. It shows how Iranians create the context for the interpretation of their own language through language use. The dynamics of status, politeness and social relations in Iran are all revealed in this astonishingly insightful work. If you ever wanted one book that would reveal the mysteries of Iran in depth, this is the one! It has stayed in print for over 15 years. No surprise here! Why isn't this required reading for the U.S. State Department?