Language, Meaning, and Use in Indian Philosophy: An Introduction to Mukula's "Fundamentals of the Communicative Function"

Malcolm Keating's introduction to Indian philosophy of language combines a translation of Mukula's Fundamentals of the Communicative Function with commentary, Romanized text, glossary, and bibliography, providing a comprehensive and accessible entry into the field.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 16 May 2019
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Indian philosophy of language is a rich and complex field that explores the nature of language and its role in human communication. It has been shaped by a variety of philosophical traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, and has produced a wide range of theories and perspectives. One of the most influential texts in Indian philosophy of language is Mukula's Fundamentals of the Communicative Function, which provides a comprehensive overview of the communicative function of language.

Malcolm Keating's translation of Mukula's Fundamentals of the Communicative Function brings this important text to a wider audience. Keating's translation is accessible and easy to read, making it an ideal introduction to the world of Indian linguistic theories. He uses clear explanations and commentary to illuminate the themes of the text, including reference, figuration, and sentence meaning. Keating also provides a complete translation of the Sanskrit text, along with a glossary of terms and an annotated bibliography.

One of the key themes of Mukula's Fundamentals of the Communicative Function is the ability of language to convey a wide range of meanings. Language is not just a means of communication, but it is also a means of expressing ideas, emotions, and beliefs. Mukula argues that language is capable of conveying a wide range of meanings because it has a structure that allows for the expression of different types of information.

Reference is one of the most important aspects of language. Reference refers to the ability of language to refer to objects, events, and ideas in the world. Language can refer to objects in the physical world, such as a table or a chair, or it can refer to abstract ideas, such as love or justice. Mukula argues that language is capable of referring to objects in the physical world because it has a structure that allows for the expression of different types of information.

Figuration is another important aspect of language. Figuration refers to the ability of language to create images and metaphors. Language can create images and metaphors that help us to understand complex ideas and concepts. Mukula argues that language is capable of creating images and metaphors because it has a structure that allows for the expression of different types of information.

Sentence meaning is another important aspect of language. Sentence meaning refers to the meaning of a sentence as a whole. Language can convey a wide range of meanings through the use of different types of sentences. Mukula argues that language is capable of conveying a wide range of meanings through the use of different types of sentences because it has a structure that allows for the expression of different types of information.

In addition to these themes, Mukula's Fundamentals of the Communicative Function also introduces ideas about testimony, pragmatics, and religious implications. Testimony refers to the use of language to convey information about events that have occurred. Pragmatics refers to the use of language to achieve a particular goal or purpose. Religious implications refer to the use of language to express religious beliefs and values.

Keating's translation of Mukula's Fundamentals of the Communicative Function provides a valuable resource for anyone interested in Indian philosophy of language. It is accessible and easy to read, and it provides a comprehensive overview of the communicative function of language. Keating's commentary and glossary of terms make the text even more accessible to a wider audience.

However, it is important to note that Indian philosophy of language is a complex and diverse field, and there are many different perspectives and theories within it. Keating's translation of Mukula's Fundamentals of the Communicative Function is just one of many texts that have been written on the subject. It is important to approach Indian philosophy of language with an open mind and to be willing to consider different perspectives and theories.

In conclusion, Indian philosophy of language is a rich and complex field that explores the nature of language and its role in human communication. Mukula's Fundamentals of the Communicative Function is one of the most influential texts in Indian philosophy of language, and Malcolm Keating's translation of this text provides a valuable resource for anyone interested in the subject. Keating's translation is accessible and easy to read, and it provides a comprehensive overview of the communicative function of language. However, it is important to approach Indian philosophy of language with an open mind and to be willing to consider different perspectives and theories.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 157 x 233 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350060760