Language in Thought and Action: Fifth Edition 1st Edition

by S.I. Hayakawa (Author), Alan R. Hayakawa (Author), Robert MacNeil (Introduction)

109 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0156482400

ISBN-10: 0156482401

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In an era when communication has become increasingly diverse and complex, this classic work on semantics—now fully revised and updated—distills the relationship between language and those who use it.

Renowned professor and former U.S. Senator S. I. Hayakawa discusses the role of language in human life, the many functions of language, and how language—sometimes without our knowing—shapes our thinking in this engaging and highly respected book. Provocative and erudite, it examines the relationship between language and racial and religious prejudice; the nature and dangers of advertising from a linguistic point of view; and, in an additional chapter called “The Empty Eye,” the content, form, and hidden message of television, from situation comedies to news coverage to political advertising.

Language in Thought and Action: Fifth Edition

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About the Author

Born in Montreal, Robert MacNeil grew up in Halifax, attended Dalhousie University and graduated from Carleton in Ottawa. After early work as a CBC announcer, he was a journalist for forty years with Reuters News Agency, NBC News and the BBC, culminating in twenty years as Executive Editor of the MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour on PBS. His bestselling novel, Burden of Desire, won rave reviews in Canada and the U.S. He is also the author of two other novels, The Voyage and Breaking News; three memoirs, The Right Place at the Right Time, Wordstruck, and Looking For My Country; and co-author of The Story of English and its sequel, Do You Speak American? He divides his time between New York and Nova Scotia.

Paperback: 196 pages
Publisher: Harvest Original; 1 edition (January 1, 1991)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0156482401
ISBN-13: 978-0156482400
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 109 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #16 in Books > Reference > Words, Language & Grammar > Semantics
- #21 in Books > Reference > Words, Language & Grammar > Vocabulary, Slang & Word Lists > Word Lists
- #54 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Linguistics

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Kindle and paperback are different versions

ByKathy Fon August 12, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Language in Thought and Action (5th edition) is a wonderful book. I have two copies (thought my first one was lost, bought another because I need it for regular reference) and I have recommended it often to others.

In reading reviews here, I noticed that many miss the earlier editions of this book, feeling that something has been lost in translation in the latest edition. I was curious and wondered if I could ever find an older edition in order to see for myself. It appears that the Kindle version here IS the original text. I'm very happy to have access to it for comparison purposes. And what a price! (I feared that buying a physical copy of a first edition at a used book store might set me back a pretty penny.)

That said, be aware that the books are significantly different. Just alerting any first-time buyer to select with care.

Another note: I love the introduction to the 5th edition by Robert MacNeil (of MacNeil/Leherer fame) but this Amazon listing erroneously gives his biography information as that of the "author". That is confusing to say the least! Dear Amazon: please correct.

11 comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Map of the Inner/Outer World

ByLaMonte Heflickon March 25, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

This is what the World Needs -awareness. What is reality? What is "out there/in here?" And what belongs to the World of Words? The "map in our heads" should fit the "territory," i.e. the world/life.
To understand this is to live a better "sane" life.

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... needed this book for class but it's actually a great book on communication that I would recommend to

BySLG ASHLEYon May 27, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I needed this book for class but it's actually a great book on communication that I would recommend to anyone

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A CLASSIC BOOK ON THE ORIGINS OF ENGLISH AS WE SEE IT IN POPULAR THOUGHT

ByLibertarianReviewon June 26, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

S I Hayakawa's Language In Thought and Action is a classic and respected by those in academia who are interested in the origin of the English language. It probably is not of interest to the average reader. Some of the chapter headings are: Language And Survival, The Society Behind Our Symbols, The Two Valued Orientation. This book is divided into 2 sections--THE FUNCTIONS OF LANGUAGE and LANGUAGE AND THOUGHT. It has an index and an extensive bibliography. This book has been a popular collectors item, that is, the original blue bound book. It has been revised and reprinted as you will see on Amazon. I could not give it 5 stars because it is a difficult book to read, however many readers will get some enjoyment of a classic book known the world over...

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Dull but good

ByMichael Nahason August 2, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The preface of the book says it was written in "response to the dangers of propaganda", especially Adolph Hitler's. So the book is very much not propaganda. The author prefers to be slow, dull, and thoughtful rather than passionate, engaging and vacant.

The book hammers home that language is like a map which, if it's good, reflects reality. Propaganda tries to build a map that is self-consistent and appears good, but is really wrong. The author shows the ways bad "maps" are built and how to not fall for one.

The book is worth its price for Chapter 1. This is an attack on the premise that life is a jungle and that we all need to fight each other to survive. The author does a magnificent job of saying that not every animal fights itself to survive and that humans are at our best when we cooperate, for we can do little on our own and even less if we tear each other apart.

I'm giving it four stars, because it was a slow trod to read and I feel that the author erred too much on the side of dryness in order to show the book was not propaganda. Although I understand why he did. That said, it is a good and informative book.

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Essential Reading for Anyone Interested in Politics, Writing, Semantics, or Logic

ByFuquafalconon September 4, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

For me, this book is near-scriptural because it packs so much truth into such a small space. This book will help you understand how you think and how you use language, and why people talk past each other and disagree about important topics. It explains in entertaining detail many of the fallacies and traps we all fall prey to, and some of the conditions of modern life that make them more pervasive. This is one of those books that will make you wonder how you could live so long without realizing such important and simple things. If you want to examine your own thinking and root out errors--if you want to inject additional rationality into your political beliefs--if you want to raise your immunity to advertising and misleading propaganda--or if you want to write and think more precisely, this book is invaluable.

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Excellent overview of general semantics

ByK. S. Dennison September 21, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book provides an excellent overview of general semantics. Hayakawa's examples and illustrations are very good. The book is easy to read. It may lead some readers to think about such things as overgeneralizing, avoiding snap judgments, and being careful in expression.

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A great guide to semantics

ByMarc Whiteon December 25, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I loved this book. It gives thought to the use of words and ideas. I love it and will keep it as a reference.

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Five Stars

Very helpful in writing letter!

Published 15 days ago by MICHELLE DOWNIE

Fascinating read!

I needed this book for class but found it so interesting that I'm keeping it to share with friends!

Published 17 days ago by Amber G.

I read an earlier version of this book in 1975

I read an earlier version of this book in 1975; this book completely changed how I looked at communicating with other people.Read more

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awesome

Awesome book! Fully met my expectations aboit it.. Suggesting this book to all who want to know more about peoples communications problem

Published 6 months ago by Amazon Customer

Great book and quality paper

Great book and quality paper.
Semantics is where it's at if you are looking for a different perspective on things.Read more

Published 7 months ago by Amazon Customer

this book will guide you to far greater facility with the English language

I owned a previous edition of this book 40 years ago, but I wore it out. If you are at all interested in deepening your understanding of how we use English and how to use the...Read more

Published 7 months ago by Reads Ceaselessly

I owned this book in my college days 50 years ...

I owned this book in my college days 50 years ago. And lost it in the many moves and lives' tribulations. Now I have it back again, and with pleasure.

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