{"product_id":"language-hoax-paperback","title":"Language Hoax - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eJohn H. McWhorter\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJapanese has a term that covers both green and blue. Russian has separate terms for dark and light blue. Does this mean that Russians perceive these colors differently from Japanese people? Does language control and limit the way we think? \u003cbr\u003eThis short, opinionated book addresses the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, which argues that the language we speak shapes the way we perceive the world. Linguist John McWhorter argues that while this idea is mesmerizing, it is plainly wrong. It is language that reflects culture and worldview, not the other way around. The fact that a language has only one word for eat, drink, and smoke doesn't mean its speakers don't process the difference between food and beverage, and those who use the same word for blue and green perceive those two colors just as vividly as others do. \u003cbr\u003eMcWhorter shows not only how the idea of language as a lens fails but also why we want so badly to believe it: we're eager to celebrate diversity by acknowledging the intelligence of peoples who may not think like we do. Though well-intentioned, our belief in this idea poses an obstacle to a better understanding of human nature and even trivializes the people we seek to celebrate. The reality -- that all humans think alike -- provides another, better way for us to acknowledge the intelligence of all peoples.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn McWhorter \u003c\/strong\u003eis Professor of Linguistics at Columbia University and author of many books, including \u003cem\u003eThe Power of Babel: A Natural History of Language\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eOur Magnificent Bastard Tongue: The Untold Story of English\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eWhat Language Is, What It Isn't, and What It Could Be\u003c\/em\u003e. He also writes on language, as well as race and cultural issues, as Contributing Editor at \u003cem\u003eThe New Republic\u003c\/em\u003e and Columnist at \u003cem\u003eTime\u003c\/em\u003e. His work has appeared in \u003cem\u003eThe New York Times\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eTime\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eThe New Yorker\u003c\/em\u003e, and he has appeared often on National Public Radio, CSPAN and MSNBC.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 208\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.6 x 6.9 x 4.9 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e June 01, 2016\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42724655366207,"sku":"9780190468897","price":16.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0105\/8226\/1823\/files\/035af85aa2a2b28444a94aa58003154c.webp?v=1765103439","url":"https:\/\/dhl-adrianne.myshopify.com\/products\/language-hoax-paperback","provider":"BBB","version":"1.0","type":"link"}