scholarly journals The Dimensions of Language and Thought in the Vedic Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 135
Author(s):  
Sabindra Raj Bhandari
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Linguistic Theory ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Classical Version ◽  
Language And Thought ◽  
Vedic Literature ◽  
Unity In Diversity ◽  
Rig Veda

The present article explores the interrelationships between language and thought in the literature of the Vedic Canon. Whether language shapes thoughts or vice versa has remained a topic pregnant with perpetual discussions, interpretations, and explanations since the beginning of human civilization. Throughout the multiple crossroads of the development in the intellectual tradition, the dimensions of language and thought attracted many scholars and linguists. However, linguists like Edward Sapir and Benjamin L. Whorf in the twentieth century have systematically interpreted and analyzed the language-thought dimensions. Whorf postulated that language shapes thoughts while Sapir projected that language is in the grip of thought. The literature of the Vedic Canon has also logically and systematically projected the multiple dimensional, but agglutinative relationships between language and thought. The hymns of the Rig Veda, myths from Brahmanas, and the lore from Upanishads unravel, interpret, and enrich the language-thought interconnection in such a way that the Vedic literature remains as the classical version of Sapir-Whorf hypothesis written in Sanskrit. In this regard, the Vedic literature and Sapir-Whorf hypothesis play the same tune of music in different lyres. The present paper attempts to reveal this point of unity in diversity between the two seemingly diverse schools of thoughts—classical Vedic literature and modern linguistic theory of Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. Being the qualitative research, this paper explores, interprets, and correlates the theoretical concepts, ideas, and phenomena from the Vedic literature and Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.

scholarly journals Biomedical knowledge in Mexico during the Cold War and its impact in pictorial representations of Homo sapiens and racial hierarchies

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 219-244
Author(s):  
Erica Torrens
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Biomedical Knowledge ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Race And Racialization ◽  
And Shifts ◽  
The Cold War ◽  
Pictorial Representations ◽  
Racial Hierarchies

Abstract This paper provides an overview of the state of Mexican genetics and biomedical knowledge during the second half of the twentieth century, as well as its impact on the visual representation of human groups and racial hierarchies, based on social studies of scientific imaging and visualization (SIV) and theoretical concepts and methods. It also addresses the genealogy and shifts of the concept of race and racialization of Mexican bodies, concluding with the novel visual culture that resulted from genetic knowledge merged with the racist phenomenon in the second half of the twentieth century in Mexico.

Grammar and the Intersubjectivity of Language. Focus on Epistemic Verbs

1981 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-109
Author(s):  
Lars Heltoft
Keyword(s):  
Present Article ◽  
Speech Act ◽  
Communicative Action ◽  
Linguistic Theory ◽  
Jürgen Habermas ◽  
Natural Languages ◽  
Linguistic Structure ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Contrastive Focus ◽  
Universal Pragmatics

This paper argues that Jürgen Habermas' theory of universal pragmatics is valuable for semantic and text-linguistic theory. Habermas' distinctions between communicative action (Kommunikatives Handeln) and discourse (Diskurs; debate on the validity of statements) are reflected in linguistic structure, as is his distinction between the four dimensions involved in every speech, act: comprehensibility, truth, sincerity, and correctness. The primary question is: Given that Habermas' distinctions are universal, what means of signalling them do natural languages contain? The present article limits itself to contrastive focus and epistemic verbs. The application of contrastive focus, to epistemic verbs enables speakers to mark the distinction between communicative action and discourse (the level of debate) and to clarify the dimension, under debate: comprehensibility, truth, sincerity, or correctness.

scholarly journals Vedic Philosophy and Swami Nigamananda

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Sangram Keshari Mallik ◽  
Dr. Braja Kishore Sahoo
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Literary Creation ◽  
Ancient India ◽  
Vedic Literature ◽  
The World ◽  
Independent Entity ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Rig Veda ◽  
The Individual

Wonder that is India. India is wonderful because of its abundant and affluent cultural heritage. The cultural heritage of India is prudential of its spiritual richness and classical creativity. Vedic literature is the most wonderful and unparallel literary creation of Ancient India. Vedic literature has made this country worthy of worship. Vedas are without beginning and without end. Veda is author-less. It is Apauruseya. They are considered to be the direct word of the Divine.  Vedic knowledge appeared in the dawn of the cosmos within the heart of Brahma. Brahma imparted this knowledge in the form of sound (Sabda) to his sons who are great sages. They transmitted the Vedic sound heard from Brahma to their disciples all over universe. There are four Vedas. They are the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda.  Four Vedas contain four types of texts such as The Samhitas, The Arankayas, The Brahmanas and The Upanishads. Veda is accepted as a code of conduct to Sanatan Dharma. The teaching of Veda is the concept that the individual is not an independent entity, but, rather, a part of the Universal Consciousness.  Upanishads is the manifestation of Vedantic thought. Sada Darshan (Six Systems of Vedanta) is a very important part of Vedic philosophy.  Swami Nigamananda a great Master of Vedic Literature achieved Nirbikalpa Sidhi of Vedanta in the year 1904.  The philosophy of Vedanta is reflected in the creation of Swami Nigamananda. In his writings (Yogi Guru, Jnani Guru, Tantrik Guru, Premik Guru, Brahmacharya Sadhana and Vedanta Viveka) he has explained the main scriptures of Vedas such as The Upanishads, The Bramha Sutras and The Bhagavad Gita. His philosophy teaches us to love and live in a state of eternal freedom. The Philosophy of Swami Nigamananda is a synthesis of Sankar and Gouranga i.e. knowledge and love. Knowledge envisages the path of analysis and Love, the path of synthesis. In this way Nigamananda convincingly reconciled the two apparently contradictory creeds of Adi Shankaracharya and Gauranga Mohapravu. “He advised his disciples to combine Shankara’s view and Gournaga’s way and walk on this path of synthesis. In fact attainment of Jnana through Bhakti is the nucleus of his philosophy. Through his teachings and works, he proclaimed to the world the fundamental harmony of all religions that there are many paths which lead to the same goal”.

scholarly journals Art (and) Criticism: Hart Crane and David Siqueiros

Text Matters ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 229-243
Author(s):  
Alicja Piechucka
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Literary Criticism ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Art Criticism ◽  
Hart Crane ◽  
Historical Texts ◽  
Art And Literature ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Way

The article focuses on an analysis of Hart Crane’s essay “Note on the Paintings of David Siqueiros.” One of Crane’s few art-historical texts, the critical piece in question is first of all a tribute to the American poet’s friend, the Mexican painter David Siqueiros. The author of a portrait of Crane, Siqueiros is a major artist, one of the leading figures that marked the history of Mexican painting in the first half of the twentieth century. While it is interesting to delve into the way Crane approaches painting in general and Siqueiros’ oeuvre in particular, an analysis of the essay with which the present article is concerned is also worthwhile for another reason. Like many examples of art criticism—and literary criticism, for that matter—“Note on the Paintings of David Siqueiros” reveals a lot not only about the artist it revolves around, but also about its author, an artist in his own right. In a text written in the last year of his life, Hart Crane therefore voices concerns which have preoccupied him as a poet and which, more importantly, are central to modernist art and literature.

Two-sided form, differentiation and second-order observation in Escher’s artworks and Calvino’s stories

Kybernetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 1060-1077
Author(s):  
Laura Appignanesi
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Order System ◽  
Literary Works ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Art And Literature ◽  
Second Order Systems ◽  
Late Works

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to find a leading idea of the mid-twentieth century, demonstrating the pervasive nature of some concepts belonging to second-order systems theory. To achieve this objective, the paper looks at the art and literature of this era, to identify the principles developed by Luhmann in his late works. In particular, Escher’s drawings, Calvino’s stories and Luhmann’s concepts seem to express, in different ways, the same functioning mechanism of the complex social system. Design/methodology/approach With reference to theoretical approach and methodology, this paper carries out an interdisciplinary demonstration by alternative modes of logos and mythos. Some of the pillars of general systems theory are examined through the logical articulation of concepts developed by Spencer-Brown, von Foerster, and first of all through the late works of Luhmann, as well as through the analysis of Escher’s artworks and Calvino’s literary works. This paper interprets these artistic and literary works using cybernetic principles and systemic concepts, in particular, “two-sided forms,” “system–environment differentiation” and “second-order observation.” Findings In general, the main finding is the similarity of fascination with paradoxes and forms, with post-ontological reasoning, in twentieth century. The result of the cross-reading of Escher, Calvino and Luhmann reveals the presence of what Simmel called the “hidden king”: a philosophical paradigm of an era. In mid-1900s, this leading idea seems to express itself in the discoveries of biology and cybernetics, such as in Luhmann’s theory, art and literature. Escher’s drawings, Calvino’s stories and the concepts of Luhmann are projections of second-order system theory, in its constructivist value. Originality/value The originality of this paper lies mainly in the demonstration of theoretical concepts through the alternative modes of logos and mythos. These reflections can provide a new perspective to investigate social sciences from a cultural angle. This particular approach allows a deep awareness of the theory. The concrete value is to provide a better understanding to manage complexity.

scholarly journals DIDACTIC ASPECTS OF TRANSLATION THEORIES

2021 ◽  
pp. 10-20
Author(s):  
Tamara Kavytska
Keyword(s):  
Literary Theory ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Linguistic Theory ◽  
Translation Theory ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Translation Practice ◽  
Theoretical Generalization ◽  
Translation Pedagogy ◽  
Communicative Theory

The relationship between translation theory and translation pedagogy is undeniable. Translation studies developed, in fact, as a result of analysis and theoretical generalization of both professional and classroom translation activities. However, the views on the role of theory in translation instruction are rather controversial. Moreover, even though numerous studies have given detailed insights into translation theories, there are still issues to consider. Unexplored are didactic aspects of translation theories: to our knowledge, no research has discussed the didactic contribution of translation theorists to translation pedagogy. Hence the purpose of the paper is to carry out a critical analysis of literary, linguistic, communicative, and cognitive translation theories with a view to exploring and interpreting their didactic strengths and weaknesses. The research methodology relies on the analysis of available literature as well as textbooks in translation practice to discover the didactic contribution of translation theories to translation pedagogy. Noteworthy is the fact that every translation theory has contributed to the development of translation pedagogy as a branch of applied linguistics. Among the major gains of literary theory is textual approach to learning and teaching translation. Linguistic theory has provided the theoretical foundations for translation pedagogy and creating textbooks that meet the didactic requirements. Teaching translation from the standpoint of treating it as a process of communication has become the achievement of communicative theory. The gains of cognitive theory include the adoption of a competence-based approach to teaching translation, as well as the intensification of research efforts in the field of translation pedagogy. In addition to progressive aspects, the translation theories had certain shortcomings. Literary theory, for instance, rejected the idea of translation pedagogy because of perception of the activity as art. Linguistic theory overemphasized certain aspects of language in teaching translation and promoted the idea of interlingual equivalence. This idea has led to the absolute predominance of bilingual dictionaries in translation classrooms, which is currently considered unjustified. The concept of communicative equivalence, supported by the advocates of communicative theory, has negatively affected evaluation of classroom translations. Finally, cognitive theory is criticized for its failure to apply its theoretical concepts to the development of translation pedagogy.

An Archaeology of the Twentieth Century in the Anthracite Coal Region of Northeast Pennsylvania

2018 ◽  
pp. 7-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Roller
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Karl Marx ◽  
Structural Violence ◽  
Giorgio Agamben ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Anthracite Coal ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Coal Region

Chapter 1 provides a broad theoretical, historical, and ethnographic context to the research, and an overview of the major research questions addressed in the book. Topics such as the approach to the structural violence of everyday life in the twentieth century, the relationship between migrants and the sovereignty of political states, racialization, and the labor needs of late industrial capitalism are addressed. Relevant theoretical concepts from scholars such as Giorgio Agamben, Walter Benjamin and Karl Marx are introduced here. The ethnographic and discursive context of immigrant discrimination in the present, and the manner in which it informs the broad trajectory of the research is presented. Lastly, the manner in which interdisciplinary data is applied to this research is also presented.

scholarly journals Constructivist Grounded Theory Practice in Accountability Research

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-88
Author(s):  
Kul Prasad Khanal
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Deductive Reasoning ◽  
Community Schools ◽  
Constructivist Grounded Theory ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Classical Version ◽  
Education Governance ◽  
Accountability In Education ◽  
Data Saturation ◽  
Constructivist Epistemology

This article offers the application of constructivist grounded theory in inquiring dimensions of accountability in education. The classical version of grounded theory, which was aligned with the positivist epistemology, has been well discussed in qualitative research. However, the constructivist version of grounded theorizing concerning education has not been adequately articulated in the existing literature. In response to this methodological gap, this paper discusses the canons of constructivist grounded theory in reference to inquiring school actors’ accountability for service delivery in education. The paper draws empirical evidence from the author’s study conducted in the context of community schools in Nepal. The paper argues that theory construction in constructivist grounded theory design is accomplished through the interaction of both data-indicated and extant theoretical concepts by integrating inductive, abductive and deductive reasoning during various stages of the inquiry. The paper also argues that, in constructivist grounded theory, it is not the data saturation as such but the level of researcher’s satisfaction where the grounded theorizing terminates. The paper concludes that the constructivist epistemology of grounded theorizing is useful in addressing the localized understanding of accountability in the decentralized context of education governance in Nepal.

India's Physics and Chemistry Nobel Prize nominators and nominees in colonial and international context

2007 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajinder Singh
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Nobel Prize ◽  
Royal Society ◽  
Third World ◽  
Modern Science ◽  
International Context ◽  
Nobel Prizes

In India the development of modern science is closely related to its colonial background, a subject well documented by historians. So far as the prestigious Nobel Prizes are concerned, little has been mentioned in the colonial context. This article shows that in the first half of the twentieth century only a few Indian physicists and chemists were either nominees or nominators. Some of them were Fellows of the Royal Society. A comparison of Indian Nobel Prize nominators and nominees with other so-called Third World countries and colonies suggests some interesting results, for example the similarities of development of physics and chemistry in the colonized and ruling countries. The present article also suggests that the election of the Fellows of the Royal Society from India, in the fields of physics and chemistry, reveals a pattern comparable with that of Nobel Prize nominations and nominees.

scholarly journals Politicized Literature: Dramas, Democracy and the Mysore Princely State

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-58
Author(s):  
Vijayakumar M. Boratti
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Democratic Institutions ◽  
British India ◽  
Colonial India ◽  
The Social ◽  
Princely State

Literary writings such as poetry, drama or novel in colonial India manifest themselves into, react or subscribe to the larger discourse of colonialism or nationalism; rarely do they hold uniformity in their articulations. As colonial experiences and larger nationalist consciousness varied from region to region, cultural articulations—chiefly dramas—not only assumed different forms but also illustrated different thematic concerns. Yet, studies on colonial drama, thus far, have paid attention to either colonialism/orientalism or nationalism. There is a greater focus on British India in such studies. However, the case of princely states demands a momentary sidestep from the dichotomy of colonialism versus nationalism to understand the colonial dramas. The slow and gradual entry of nationalism in the princely states did not have to combat the British chiefly and directly. Much before its full blossom in the princely states, it had to grapple with a range of issues such as monarchy, democratic institutions, constitutionalism, bureaucracy and other pressing issues locally. In the present article, the Kannada dramas of Devanahalli Venkataramanaiah Gundappa (DVG) in the early decades of the twentieth century are examined to throw light on the ways in which they act as political allegories which imagine and debate democracy and its repercussions in the social and political spheres of the Mysore princely state.

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