Emile Benveniste (1902–1976)

This book is primarily a study of the vocabulary of institutions [11] in the broad sense of social relations, ways of life, and even processes of thought.

Although Benveniste intensely worked the "elements" of Saussurian structural linguistics in his monumental General Linguistics--to very little remaining contemporary effect--in this smaller work the author restricts himself to glossator. The result is a very useful empirical etymology.

As is most of Benveniste's writing, it is accessible, show more and the words and their rootings are fascinating.

This is how Benveniste organizes the separate "Books" (his chapters): Economy (Livestock, Giving/Taking, Purchasing...), Kinship, Social Status (3 functions, 4 divisions), Royalty (Iranian/Hellenic Kingship, Magic), Law (themis, dike, med- [measure], fas, censor, auctoritas, quaestor and *prex, oath),and Religion (Avestan, Latin, Greek -- libation, sacrifice, vow, prayer, omens, superstitio).

With Indexes, including Words (by language), and "Passages Quoted". (Now that is helpful--for example Gospel authors are listed under Gothic and Greek [576], and you can find where he explodes what etymologically--of course the largest 'passagee' is Homer.

The diachronic depth of the study leaves one with the certainty that certainty is impossible: for all Words have semantically shifted over time. For example, the shifts resulting in the worrying intimacy of "host" with "hostile" [71], or the fact that Family"/familia did not (used) use to be restricted to kin [291]; the two opposite meanings in "take" (can you take it?)[67]. show less

A classic you will find mentioned in studies from all fields. It's good; it's easy-- just do it.

Absolutely fascinating. I wish I could find something similar, but modern, in English.

Benveniste’s Aufsatzsammlung „Problèmes de linguistique générale » bietet einige aufschlußreiche Anschlußpunkte nicht nur für rein linguistisch orientierte Forscher, sondern auch für sprachphilosophisch Interessierte. Sie wartet mit theoretischen Ansätzen zur Erforschung der Entwicklung der Linguistik im 20. Jahrhundert ebenso auf wie mit fachspezifischen Ausführungen über grammatische oder semantische Problemstellungen. Besonders zu beachten ist vielleicht das Kapitel über show more den ‚Menschen in der Sprache“, in denen Aufsätze vorhanden sind zu Themenbereichen wie der „Struktur der Beziehungen der Person im Verb“, den „Beziehungen der Zeit im französischen Verb“, der „Subjektivität in der Sprache“, dem „Wesen des Pronomen“ oder der „analytischen Philosophie und der Sprache“. show less