- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Research Guides
- General Philosophy
- Philosophy of Language
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
- Language and languages -- Philosophy
- Semantics (Philosophy)
- Semiotics AND Philosophy
- Reference (Philosophy)
- Intentionality AND Language
- Interpersonal communication -- Philosophy
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