The word and the world: India's contribution to the study of language

In this book, Matilal demonstrates how the work of classical Indian philosophers can inform the study of the philosophy of language. He provides not simply an exposition, but also an analysis of classical theories, allowing the texts to speak for themselves. Specific topics include sphota theory, the word as a unit of sentence, the problem of translation, and an elaboration of Bhatrhari's view of cognition. Contents 8 Preface 10 PART I: GENERAL STUDIES 14 1 Introduction 16 2 On Grammar and Linguistic Studies 20 3 Words and Their Meanings 31 4 Names and Things: Universals 44 5 The Karaka Theory 53 6 Knowledge from Linguistic Utterance 62 PART II: SPECIAL ISSUES -1 7 The Sphota Theory: Early History and Patarijali's View 90 8 Bhartrhari's View of Sphota 97 9 Critics of the Sphota Theory and Views of Later Grammarians 112 10 Words vs. Sentences 119 11 Translation and Bhartrhari's Concept of Language (Sabda) 133 12 Cognition and Language 146 Appendices 155 I Mysticism and Ineffability: Some Issues of Logic and Language 155 II Semiotic Conceptions in the Indian Theory of Argumentation 169 III Meaning in Literary Criticism: Vakrokti and Dhvani 180 Bibliography 193 Index 198 This monograph studies what is today called "philosophy of language" on the basis of materials drawn exclusively from the works of classical Indian philosophers.