Language in Thought and Action: Fifth Edition | 
 enlarge | Authors: S. I. Hayakawa, S.i. Hayakawa
Publisher: Harcourt
Category: Book
List Price: $16.00
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Avg. Customer Rating:  23 reviews
Sales Rank: 64944
Media: Paperback
Edition: 5
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 196
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.9 x 0.4
ISBN: 0156482401
Dewey Decimal Number: 420.143
EAN: 9780156482400
ASIN: 0156482401
Publication Date: January 1991
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Product Description
For over 50 years, LANGUAGE IN THOUGHT AND ACTION has examined language through the lens of modern semantics. With an understanding of the roles and different uses of language, one can better communicate with those around them. Like the first edition, LANGUAGE IN THOUGHT AND ACTION uses poignant and relevant examples to better explain the subtleties and nuiances of language.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...
 Thoughtful and Informative June 20, 2008
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. Wonderful for people who are skeptical of politicians and institutions of power. I appreciated the insights on words are just symbols, they do not mean anything by themselves "The word is not the thing", is a phrase used repeatedly in the book. Also appreciated was the insight "Words change their meaning every time they are used". Think about most words used by those in power - "freedom", "democracy", "rights", etc. Many of these hot-button words mean exactly what the speaker wishes them to mean, and nothing else.
 Confusion Clarified May 17, 2008
This was a text of mine, as a freshman, in college. It greatly influenced my own thought and action. for years my thinking was clouded, didn't know exactly what i should do in life. Books and words rang true but without knowing the action I needed. Forty, a good forty, years later, I knew what I was to do. It was too late for me,but I hope those around me will show the world how to direct their own thougts and actions in their lives and the lives of others. gmb
Incredible August 15, 2007
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 classes in the fall. I bought this book out of the four or five language-subject books there (perhaps because it was shorter and seemed to be written in a more friendly tone). I am so glad I chose this one.
S.I. Hayakawa does a terrific job of keeping the reader focused and interested. Whenever he makes a theoretical point, he is sure to provide at least one (and usually two or more) examples so that the reader can understand and relate the theory to real life--in effect, Kayakawa uses one of his own arguments in his book, and it works tremendously.
If you have any interest in language, especially about the more social aspects of it, such as its purpose in groups, connotations, and the necessity to take great care in choosing the words we speak, pick up this book. If you're busy, then just read one section (5-8 pages) a night. Hayakawa's commentary on the philosophy of language is outstanding, and Language in Thought and Action will make you appreciate the finest aspects of language and will urge you to use language in the most effective way possible.
Potentially life-altering January 27, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Lift the veil of word-hypnosis. Open your mind to understand how words really describe, distort and motivate for better and for worse. This book will challenge your view of the world, of communication, of people, prejudices and perception. HIGHLY recommended.
If This Book Were a Manadatory School Text... November 26, 2006
5 out of 11 found this review helpful
The "debates" wouldn't continue to be evasive exercises in meaningless rhetoric.
People would distinguish sound bites from actual information.
People would lose interest in non-issues like flag burning.
People would take control of the objects and symbols that now control them.
In short, nobody could give a reasonable excuse to pay attention to FOX News anymore, we'd demand more of our so-called "leaders", and the world would probably be much the better for it.
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