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Meaning Of Meaning Paperback – June 26, 1989

4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 19 ratings
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Language is the most important of all the instruments of civilization. This is the premise of a work whose significance to the study of language, literature, and philosophy has remained undiminished since its original publication in 1923. New Introduction by Umberto Eco; Indices.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    396 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    June 26, 1989
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.99 x 8.3 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0156584468
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0156584463
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"Language is the most important of all the instruments of civilization." The authors state this premise boldly in their preface to "The Meaning of Meaning," a classic work whose significance--and challenge--to the study of language, literature, and philosophy has remained undiminished since its original publication.

Much about language continues to be only hazily understood, distorted by our habitual attitude--often one of indifference--toward words, or by lingering assumptions based on discredited theories. What IS the relationship between words and what the words refer to? Between words and the way we think? Can understanding such matters lead to greater precision in communication? Readers considering these questions find themselves at the crossroads of linguistics and communications theory, of literary criticism and philosophy--an interdisciplinary nexus claimed by the increasingly influential field of semiotics--and "The Meaning of Meaning" will prove, as it has over the last six decades, an essential resource.

In his introduction Umberto Eco, emininent novelist and, not coincidentally, semiotician, provides a fascinating perspective on this pioneering work that continues to disturb intellectual complacency and provoke thought and discussion.

About the Author

Charles Kay Ogden (June 1, 1889 Fleetwood, Lancashire – March 21, 1957 London) was an English linguist, philosopher, and writer.


Ivor Armstrong Richards (26 February 1893 in Sandbach, Cheshire – 7 September 1979 in Cambridge) was an influential English literary critic and rhetorician. His books, especially The Meaning of Meaning, Principles of Literary Criticism, Practical Criticism, and The Philosophy of Rhetoric, proved to be founding influences for the New Criticism. The concept of 'practical criticism' led in time to the practices of close reading, what is often thought of as the beginning of modern literary criticism. Richards is regularly considered one of the founders of the contemporary study of literature in English.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Paperbacks; First Edition (June 26, 1989)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 396 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0156584468
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0156584463
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.99 x 8.3 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 19 ratings

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  1. Ivor Armstrong Richards

    Ivor Armstrong Richards

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Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
19 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Ryan
5.0 out of 5 stars Really cool book that makes you think about language.
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2019
Verified Purchase
Excellent book! Older copy, but in good condition. Arrived promptly and well packaged.
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Emily Dann
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2015
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very good
One person found this helpful
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Mary Klier
1.0 out of 5 stars It was boring.
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2014
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I could not get into this book. It was boring.
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Dan McCreary
4.0 out of 5 stars Dated but still very relevant
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2006
I first encountered reference to this book when reading about the semantic web. The key innovation was the "semiotic triangle" where we are encouraged to think of things, thoughts and symbols in separate and distinct domains. I now use the "semantic triangle" (a more approachable name) in many of my semantic web training classes. The key concept to get across to students is that when computers need to communicate, there are many limitations when using symbols alone, which can have many different meaning within different contexts. For example the word "run" has over 50 different meanings according to WordNet. A more robust way to exchange information between computers is to associate data elements with concepts. This books was one of the first books to build these models of communication.
25 people found this helpful
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David W. Drake
4.0 out of 5 stars Provocative study of language
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2010
I read this book years ago when I was really into this area. Very good and thought provoking discussion of ideas and problem we rarely think about, although we use language every day.
9 people found this helpful
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Dorian
5.0 out of 5 stars Llega en óptimas condiciones
Reviewed in Spain on July 27, 2023
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Es un libro que no puede faltar en la biblioteca de cualquier filólogo.
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Russell Kelly
4.0 out of 5 stars Still relevant after all these years
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 25, 2016
Verified Purchase
Written before WW2 thus book is still worth reading , also see Tyranny of Words by Stuart Chase ( a contemporary of Ogden).
Not ecactly light reading but still accessible, as is Chase''s boom
One person found this helpful
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