Speaking and Language
Defence of Poetry
Goodman, Paul Publisher: Vintage, New York, USA
Year Published: 1972 First Published: 1971
Pages: 244pp
Library of Congress Number: P106.G6 1972b Dewey: 418
Resource Type: Book
Goodman writes, "I do not think there can be a rule for the appropriate use of formal or vernacular language...The best is to try for a vernacular that molds itself to what is going on and to use it critically".
Abstract: Exploring language from various perspectives, this book is a modern study of linguistics. Goodman looks at spoken and written language from the point of view of anthropologists, theorists of communications, philologists and other scientific linguists. He uncovers the connection between articulate speech and eloquent writing. In a fresh view of linguistics, he claims that different reactions occur when a person chooses to speak or not speak. Choosing to speak to another person establishes a connection and the recognition of a human relationship. He also provides explanations of other linguistic perspectives on such matters.
Speaking and Language is divided into two sections. Part 1: Language explains Goodman's linguistic theories and their relation to the history of scientific linguistics, and focuses on spoken and unspoken language. Part 2: Literature describes the structural rules of written language and the writing process. Critiques of several programs attempting to reconstruct language with more consistent rules can also be found in this section. Such programs include positivism, Basic English, structuralism and literary grammar. Goodman takes the position that language ought not to be reconstructed.
This book is an examination of language, not an attempt to perfect it. Goodman analyzes the attempts to reconstruct language, but contends that there are no universal rules in the English language for a reason. The visible rules are interesting to explore but always have exceptions, and this should not be changed by "cleaning up" or simplifying language. Goodman writes, "I do not think there can be a rule for the appropriate use of formal or vernacular language...The best is to try for a vernacular that molds itself to what is going on and to use it critically". Language should be flexible yet consistent. It should have a natural structure, but retain its plasticity for creative use. In short, language is already near-perfect.
[Abstract by Mia Manns]
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