Language in Thought and Action: Fifth Edition (Paperback)

~ (Author), Alan R. Hayakawa (Author), Robert MacNeil (Introduction) "PEOPLE WHO THINK of themselves as tough-minded and realistic tend to take it for granted that human nature is selfish and that life is a..." (more)
Key Phrases: informative connotations, intensional orientation, extensional world, United States, John Doe, World War (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A revised, updated edition of S. I. Hayakawa’s classic work on semantics. He discusses the role of language, its many functions, and how language shapes our thinking. Introduction by Robert MacNeil; Index.

About the Author

Samuel Ichiye Hayakawa (July 18, 1906 – February 27, 1992) was a Canadian-born American academic and political figure. He was an English professor, served as president of San Francisco State University and then a United States Senator from California from 1977 to 1983. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, he was educated in the public schools of Calgary, Alberta and Winnipeg, Manitoba; received his undergraduate degree from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg in 1927; graduate degrees in English from McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1928, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1935.


Alan Hayakawa received his B.A. from Reed College in Portland, Oregon. He has worked as a reporter and editor for The Oregonian in Portland, as a Washington correspondent with Newhouse News Service in Washington, D.C., and is currently with The Patriot-News of Harrisburg,PA. Alan started at The Patriot-News as a writing coach and now manages the newspaper's information-on-request system called InsideLine (a telephone-based information system known generically as audiotext).

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Product Details Paperback: 196 pages Publisher: Harvest Original; 5 edition (January 1, 1991) Language: English ISBN-10: 0156482401 ISBN-13: 978-0156482400 Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,745 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #9 in  Books > Reference > Words & Language > Semantics #68 in  Books > Reference > Words & Language > Study & Teaching #87 in  Books > Reference > Words & Language > Linguistics

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
PEOPLE WHO THINK of themselves as tough-minded and realistic tend to take it for granted that human nature is selfish and that life is a struggle in which only the fittest may survive. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
informative connotations, intensional orientation, extensional world, directive utterances, abstraction ladder, extensional meaning, disbelief system, affective connotations, intensional meaning, directive language, confusing levels, verbal world, meaningless noises, cultural lag, general semantics

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, John Doe, World War, New York, Alfred Korzybski, National Socialist, President Carter, Supreme Court, Anatol Rapoport, Democratic Party, Jim Crow, Oak Street, Wall Street, Abraham Lincoln, The New Republic

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 100 books:

• The Theory Of The Leisure Class by Thorstein Veblen on page 15, and Back Matter
• The Open Society and Its Enemies, Vol. 1: The Spell of Plato by Sir Karl Raimund Popper on page 91, and Back Matter
• The Human Animal (Phoenix Books) by Weston LA Barre on page 5, and Back Matter
• Television and the Red Menace: The Video Road to Vietnam by J. Fred MacDonald on page 158, and Back Matter
• Seven Types of Ambiguity by William Empson on page 135, and Back Matter

See all 100 books this book cites

 

100 books cite this book:

• Principles of Business Communication by Francis W. Weeks on 4 pages
• The Neurophysics of Human Behavior: Explorations at the Interface of the Brain, Mind, Behavior, and Information by Mark E. Furman on 4 pages
• Biblical Words and Their Meaning by Moisés Silva on page 105, page 138, and Back Matter
• Alcoholism Myths and Realities: Removing the Stigma of Society's Most Destructive Disease by Doug Thorburn on page 128, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• Law in a Market Context: An Introduction to Market Concepts in Legal Reasoning by Robin Paul Malloy on page 68, page 97, and Back Matter

See all 100 books citing this book

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Books on Related Topics (learn more)

Science and Sanity by Alfred Korzybski

Discusses:

• intensional orientation
• general semantics
• copying animals

Drive Yourself Sane by Susan Presby Kodish

Discusses:

• intensional orientation
• extensional meaning
• general semantics

An Accounting Thesaurus by Richard L. Chambers

Discusses:

• extensional meaning
• disbelief system
• intensional meaning

Communication Magic by L. Michael Hall

Discusses:

• intensional orientation
• extensional world
• Alfred Korzybski

Mathsemantics by Edward MacNeal

Discusses:

• intensional orientation
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General Semantics Seminar 1937 by Alfred Korzybski

Discusses:

• intensional orientation
• extensional world
• general semantics

Science and Sanity by Alfred Korzybski Discusses: intensional orientation general semantics copying animals Drive Yourself Sane by Susan Presby Kodish Discusses: intensional orientation extensional meaning general semantics An Accounting Thesaurus by Richard L. Chambers Discusses: extensional meaning disbelief system intensional meaning Communication Magic by L. Michael Hall Discusses: intensional orientation extensional world Alfred Korzybski Loading...

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	96% buy the item featured on this page: Language in Thought and Action: Fifth Edition 4.5 out of 5 stars (26) $10.88
	2% buy Choose the Right Word: Second Edition 4.8 out of 5 stars (5) $18.68
	1% buy Drive Yourself Sane : Using the Uncommon Sense of General Semantics, Revised Second Edition 4.8 out of 5 stars (10) $12.24

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Customer Reviews

26 Reviews 5 star:  (22) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:  (2)           Average Customer Review 4.5 out of 5 stars (26 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 41 of 44 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for anyone who uses language, e.g., you., December 26, 1998 By  My Fake Name (Earth) - See all my reviews Like a previous reviewer, I was required to read this book for an English class, and also like that reviewer I re-discovered it a few years back. Senator Hayakawa's main point is that, since it is language we humans use in order to think, and since language has such an extraordinary power to influence others and ourselves, we should pay heed to how we use it and how we interpret it. In *Language in Thought and Action* Hayakawa discusses ways of better understanding language, and therefore thought, and therefore action, including the use of the "operational definition" and the need to recognize different levels of abstraction. His essay comparing poetry and advertising is, all by itself, worth the price of the book. You'll never again be so smug about your pronouncements or those of others after reading about two-valued logic versus the multi-valued orientation. You'll learn why the words "Tell me more" can make a difference to you. I like this book so much I decided to mail several copies to people I know as surprise gifts, along with a letter explaining my enthusiasm for it. If you use language, if you think, if you act, you should read this book. Update of November 2009: I am now reading this book for a fourth time. You can read a long excerpt at [...]. 34 of 36 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Man's crutch, language, dissected and explored, July 16, 1999 By A Customer This book presents fundamental ways to examine the human relationship to language and thought. Hayakawa presents the building blocks of modern linguistic theories like NLP with precise and illuminating examinations of speech, human emotions, and "common sense." This book is intruiging and at times disturbing. The study of propoganda is mind expanding and illistrative of the dark side of humanity. Think of it as a How-To manual to create a Orwellian 1984-like society. I can't recommend this book more strongly. It will alter the way you think and relate to your own thoughts. Read this book. 48 of 53 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Why should I care about semantics?, June 17, 2000 By  neurotome "neurotome" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews It's been said that language is what differentiates humans from the apes. But why language? Why not hawaiian shirts? Senator Hayakawa's short book explains why language, and particularly meaning, is so important. It stands alone on its own merits, or as an elegant frame to the debate addressed in Korzybski's monolithic 1933 work, _Science and Sanity._ Ever been in an argument? Ever get hot and bothered, maybe even start shouting, until you eventually realize that your disagreement is over the definition of terms? And did you ever stop to consider that there might be more than two sides to every story - maybe an infinite number? Come along as Hayakawa examines these issues in great detail. The style of the book is so lucid, you'll almost feel as if you're being reminded of things you've always known. Does the book reveal universal truth? Or maybe just a skillful command of language? I recommend this to any human who uses language to communicate or think. You'll never look at Hillary Clinton's "politics of meaning" the same way again.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Truly essential reading I read this book nearly 20 years ago in school and it has shaped the way I speak and listen ever since. I recently bought it to read again. Read more Published 1 month ago by JMN 5.0 out of 5 stars Useful in daily life: Avoid being manipulated by words This is one of the most valuable books I've ever read. Hayakawa lays forth how we are all usually dealing with "words" rather than dealing with "reality". Read more Published 2 months ago by J. Kellett 5.0 out of 5 stars Good Condition and Easy Transaction The book is in great condition and it was sold for way less than its retail price. The transaction was fast and easy. Thanks a lot Published 9 months ago by Mike and Ike 5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and Informative Language In Thought and Action by S.I. Hayakawa, updated by Alan Hayakawa, is a treasure of clear thinking and analysis of how language is used in our society and world... Read more Published 16 months ago by Glenn Gallagher 4.0 out of 5 stars Confusion Clarified This was a text of mine, as a freshman, in college. It greatly influenced my own thought and action. Read more Published 18 months ago by Bonita L. Voss 5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible I am a prospective linguistics major, and earlier this summer I went to the bookstore to pick up a good book about language in order to have a little background before starting... Read more Published on August 15, 2007 by Kevin R. Sitek 5.0 out of 5 stars Potentially life-altering Lift the veil of word-hypnosis. Open your mind to understand how words really describe, distort and motivate for better and for worse. Read more Published on January 27, 2007 by Harry Zweier 5.0 out of 5 stars If This Book Were a Manadatory School Text... The "debates" wouldn't continue to be evasive exercises in meaningless rhetoric. People would distinguish sound bites from actual information. Read more Published on November 26, 2006 by Doug Mesner 5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book -- It helps to open one's mind! S. I. Hayakawa's "Language in Thought and Action" is an excellent read. There isn't much that I can add to what has already been said by other reviewers. Read more Published on December 29, 2005 by Lecturer 5.0 out of 5 stars A great foundational book for anyone who wants to think more clearly I read the second edition of this great work 35 years ago and it became the center of my educational process. Read more Published on September 30, 2005 by Kim A Miller Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Harvest Original; 5 edition (January 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0156482401
• ISBN-13: 978-0156482400
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,745 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #9 in	Books > Reference > Words & Language > Semantics
  #68 in	Books > Reference > Words & Language > Study & Teaching
  #87 in	Books > Reference > Words & Language > Linguistics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for anyone who uses language, e.g., you., December 26, 1998

By	My Fake Name (Earth) - See all my reviews

Like a previous reviewer, I was required to read this book for an English class, and also like that reviewer I re-discovered it a few years back.

Senator Hayakawa's main point is that, since it is language we humans use in order to think, and since language has such an extraordinary power to influence others and ourselves, we should pay heed to how we use it and how we interpret it.

In *Language in Thought and Action* Hayakawa discusses ways of better understanding language, and therefore thought, and therefore action, including the use of the "operational definition" and the need to recognize different levels of abstraction.

His essay comparing poetry and advertising is, all by itself, worth the price of the book. You'll never again be so smug about your pronouncements or those of others after reading about two-valued logic versus the multi-valued orientation. You'll learn why the words "Tell me more" can make a difference to you.

I like this book so much I decided to mail several copies to people I know as surprise gifts, along with a letter explaining my enthusiasm for it.

If you use language, if you think, if you act, you should read this book.

Update of November 2009: I am now reading this book for a fourth time. You can read a long excerpt at [...].

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Man's crutch, language, dissected and explored, July 16, 1999

By A Customer

This book presents fundamental ways to examine the human relationship to language and thought. Hayakawa presents the building blocks of modern linguistic theories like NLP with precise and illuminating examinations of speech, human emotions, and "common sense."

This book is intruiging and at times disturbing. The study of propoganda is mind expanding and illistrative of the dark side of humanity. Think of it as a How-To manual to create a Orwellian 1984-like society.

I can't recommend this book more strongly. It will alter the way you think and relate to your own thoughts. Read this book.

48 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why should I care about semantics?, June 17, 2000

By	neurotome "neurotome" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

It's been said that language is what differentiates humans from the apes. But why language? Why not hawaiian shirts? Senator Hayakawa's short book explains why language, and particularly meaning, is so important. It stands alone on its own merits, or as an elegant frame to the debate addressed in Korzybski's monolithic 1933 work, _Science and Sanity._

Ever been in an argument? Ever get hot and bothered, maybe even start shouting, until you eventually realize that your disagreement is over the definition of terms? And did you ever stop to consider that there might be more than two sides to every story - maybe an infinite number? Come along as Hayakawa examines these issues in great detail.

The style of the book is so lucid, you'll almost feel as if you're being reminded of things you've always known. Does the book reveal universal truth? Or maybe just a skillful command of language?

I recommend this to any human who uses language to communicate or think. You'll never look at Hillary Clinton's "politics of meaning" the same way again.