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General Philosophy : Philosophy of Language

Philosophy of Language

Philosophers have long been concerned with the systematic way in which language carries information about the world. Philosophy of language investigates the nature of human language, its origins and use, the relationship between meaning and truth, and how language relates to human thought and understanding, as well as to reality itself.

Questions in philosophy of language include what it means for a word to make reference—what is it for language to mean something, and how does that meaning correspond to reality? Another central question is whether or not a form of language is necessary for thought—do people think in language, or do they think and then translate those thoughts into language?

Sample Subject Headings and Searches
Selected Introductions and Reference Sources for Philosophy of Language

Blackwell Guide to the Philosophy of Language
College Library Main Stacks, 1st Floor, Rm. 1191
P107 B58 2006

A Companion to the Philosophy of Language
Memorial Library
Stacks Regular Size Shelving
P106 C5645 1997

Encylopedic Dictionary of Semiotics
Reference Stacks, Memorial Library, Floor 2 South
P325 A6 no.73 pt.1-3
Non-Circulating

Handbook of Semiotics
Reference Stacks, Memorial Library, Floor 2 South
P99 N6513 1990
Non-Circulating

Key Ideas in Linguistics and the Philosophy of Language
Memorial Library Stacks Regular Size Shelving
P107 K48 2009

Key Thinkers in Linguistics and the Philosophy of Language (Online resource)
Print edition also available:
Memorial Library Stacks Regular Size Shelving
P107 K49 2005

Meaning and Experience
Memorial Library Stacks Regular Size Shelving
P325 V5613 2001

Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Language
Memorial Library Stacks Regular Size Shelving
P107 O98 2006

Philosophy of Language, 6th ed.
Memorial Library Stacks Regular Size Shelving
P107 P545 2013

Philosophy of Language: A Contemporary Introduction
Memorial Library Stacks Regular Size Shelving
P106 L866 2000

The Philosophy of Linguistics
Memorial Library Stacks Regular Size Shelving
P121 P437 1985

Routledge Companion to Semiotics and Linguistics
Reference Stacks, Memorial Library, Floor 2 South
P121 R692 2001

Non-Circulating

Semiotics: An Introductory Anthology
Memorial Library
Stacks Regular Size Shelving
P99 S3873 1985

Semiotics and Language: An Analytical Dictionary
Memorial Library Stacks Regular Size Shelving
P99 G6913 1982

Semiotics: The Basics
Memorial Library Stacks Regular Size Shelving
P99 C463 2002

Link: Philosophy of Language at PhilPapers
Link: Wikipedia List of Philosophers of Language