Proto-Phenomenology, Language Acquisition, Orality and Literacy: Dwelling in Speech II

Lawrence Hatab provides a proto-phenomenological account of the lived world, where pre-reflective, immediate disclosiveness precedes and makes possible representational models of language. He supplements and fortifies his initial analysis by offering a detailed treatment of child development and language acquisition, and studying the differences between oral and written language. This study offers new angles on the nature of philosophy and language.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Through his groundbreaking exploration of language, renowned Heidegger scholar Lawrence Hatab presents a proto-phenomenological account of the lived world, the "first" world of factual existence, where pre-reflective, immediate disclosiveness precedes and enables representational models of language. Common distinctions between mind and world, fact and value, cognition and affect fail to capture the rich meaning-laden dimension of embodied, practical existence, where language and life are a matter of "dwelling in speech." In this second volume, Hatab expands and strengthens his initial analysis by delving into a comprehensive treatment of child development and language acquisition, which unveil a proto-phenomenological world in the process. He then undertakes a detailed examination of the distinctions between oral and written language, particularly in the ancient Greek world, and how the history of alphabetic literacy sheds light on why Western philosophy has come to prioritize objective, representational models of cognition and language, which obscure and overlook the presentational domain of dwelling in speech. Such a study offers profound new insights into the nature of philosophy and language.

Introduction:
In his pioneering study of language, Lawrence Hatab, a noted Heidegger scholar, offers a profound proto-phenomenological account of the lived world, the "first" world of factual existence. This world, characterized by pre-reflective, immediate disclosiveness, precedes and enables the construction of representational models of language. However, conventional distinctions between mind and world, fact and value, cognition and affect fail to fully grasp the intricate tapestry of embodied, practical existence, where language and life intertwine in a profound manner.

In this second volume, Hatab expands and deepens his initial analysis by exploring in detail the realm of child development and language acquisition. These processes reveal a proto-phenomenological world in the making, where the young child's experiences and interactions with the world shape their understanding and use of language. Hatab's treatment of child development provides valuable insights into the early stages of language acquisition, highlighting the importance of embodied, practical experiences in shaping the child's linguistic development.

Furthermore, Hatab delves into the distinctions between oral and written language, particularly in the ancient Greek world. He examines how the development of alphabetic literacy influenced the evolution of Western philosophy, which came to prioritize objective, representational models of cognition and language. These models, while valuable in their own right, often obscure the presentational domain of dwelling in speech, which is central to the lived world.

By examining the historical and cultural factors that shaped the development of language and cognition, Hatab offers a fresh perspective on the nature of philosophy and language. He challenges the traditional dichotomy between mind and world, fact and value, and cognition and affect, arguing that these distinctions miss the essential dimension of embodied, practical existence. Instead, he proposes a reconceptualization of philosophy and language that emphasizes the role of dwelling in speech and the meaning-laden experiences that shape our understanding of the world.

Through his innovative study of language and its relationship to the lived world, Lawrence Hatab provides a groundbreaking contribution to the field of philosophy. His proto-phenomenological account of the "first" world of factual existence sheds light on the origins of language and cognition, challenging traditional perspectives and offering new insights into the nature of philosophy and language. This second volume, in particular, deepens our understanding of child development and language acquisition, highlighting the importance of embodied, practical experiences in shaping the development of language and cognition.

In conclusion, Lawrence Hatab's work is a testament to the power of philosophy to explore the depths of human experience and reveal the underlying structures of the world. His innovative study of language offers a profound proto-phenomenological account of the lived world, challenging traditional distinctions and offering new perspectives on the nature of philosophy and language. By delving into the realms of child development and language acquisition, Hatab demonstrates the significance of embodied, practical experiences in shaping our understanding of the world. This work is a valuable contribution to the field of philosophy and will inspire future generations of scholars to continue exploring the complexities of human existence.

Weight: 485g
Dimension: 220 x 154 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538148068