Semantic Change and Collective Knowledge in 18th Century Britain

This book explores the patterns in the distribution of lexis in 18th-century British corpora to identify shared communities of meaning. It demonstrates how distant reading can reveal new insights about the common constructions of word meanings and epistemes in the printed British 18th century, offering a view of collective meaning and knowledge that builds on existing close reading, praxis, and history of ideas.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 24 August 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This book delves into a comprehensive digital exploration of a diverse range of 18th-century British corpora, aiming to uncover shared communities of meaning within the printed British literature of that era. By meticulously highlighting and analyzing patterns in the distribution of lexis, the book identifies compelling forces of attraction between words, revealing which ones tend to associate more closely with each other. Furthermore, it explores the intricate dynamics between words, shedding light on how they attract and repel one another, a phenomenon that is of significant interest. Through the meticulous charting of these forces, the book demonstrates the immense potential of distant reading 18th-century corpora to yield novel, methodologically robust, and captivating insights into the most prevalent constructions of word meanings and epistemes in the printed British 18th century.

In the case studies presented within this book, the application of computation uncovers remarkable facts about collectively-produced forms of meaning, which would otherwise remain matters of conjecture. These findings shed light on the most common meanings of words and the ways of knowing that they constituted during that period. By leveraging the power of computation, this interdisciplinary study builds upon existing stores of close reading, praxis, and the history of ideas, presenting a comprehensive view of collective meaning and knowledge in the British 18th century. Rather than focusing solely on individual texts, it offers a scaled perspective that captures the broader cultural and intellectual landscape of the era.

Overall, this book serves as a groundbreaking exploration of collective meaning and knowledge in the British 18th century, offering a rich tapestry of insights that will captivate scholars and enthusiasts alike. Its interdisciplinary approach and innovative use of computation contribute to our understanding of the past and shed light on the enduring relevance of language and meaning in shaping our world.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350360495