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Artwork for History and Philosophy of the Language Sciences

History and Philosophy of the Language Sciences

James McElvenny
Linguistics
Generative Grammar
Cold War
Semiotics
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
A History Of Modern Linguistics
Charles Sanders Peirce
Noam Chomsky
Language Universals
Ethno-Methodology
Conversation Analysis
Structuralism
Piraha
Pragmatism
Politics
Neo-Grammarians
Language Learning
Migration
Generative Linguistics
Cognitive Sciences

History and Philosophy of the Language Sciences explores the history of the study of language in its varied social and cultural contexts.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes51Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhilosophyHistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for History and Philosophy of the Language Sciences

Latest Episodes

In this interview, Fritz Newmeyer discusses linguistics, history of linguistics, and politics.

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References for Episode 49

Newmeyer, Frederick J. 1986 [1980]. Linguistic Theory in America, 2nd edition. O... more

In this interview, Randy Harris interviews James McElvenny about his recent book A History of Modern Linguistics.

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References for Episode 48

McElvenny, James. 2024. A History of Modern Linguistics: From... more

YouTube

In this interview, we talk to Geoff Pullum about his career, his contributions to linguistics, and how he sees the future of the field.

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References for Episode 47

Huddleston, Rodney, and Geoffrey Pullum... more

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In this interview, we talk to Philip Kraut about the brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, their scholarly contributions and political engagement.

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References for Episode 46

See Wikisource for scans of the ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Geoff Pullum
Linguist, professor, and author
University of Edinburgh
Episode: Podcast episode 47: Geoff Pullum on Geoff Pullum
Beijia Chen
Historian of linguistics at the Free University of Berlin
Free University of Berlin
Episode: Podcast episode 45: Beijia Chen on Neogrammarian networks
Ian Stewart
Historian of Britain and Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, researcher at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
Episode: Podcast episode 44: Ian Stewart on the Celts and historical-comparative linguistics
Judy Kaplan
Historian of the human sciences and curatorial fellow at the Science History Institute.
Science History Institute
Episode: Podcast episode 43: Judy Kaplan on universals
Randy Harris
Professor of English language and literature and computer science
University of Waterloo
Episode: Podcast episode 42: Randy Harris on the Linguistics Wars
Chris Knight
Senior Research Fellow in Anthropology and political activist
University College London
Episode: Podcast episode 41: Chris Knight on Chomsky, science and politics
Nick Riemer
Lecturer in Linguistics and English at the University of Sydney, associated with the Laboratory History of Linguistic Theories in Paris
University of Sydney
Episode: Podcast episode 40: Interview with Nick Riemer on politics, linguistics and ideology
Ingrid Piller
Professor of Applied Linguistics at Macquarie University, co-founder of Language on the Move blog.
Macquarie University
Episode: Podcast episode 39: Interview with Ingrid Piller on Life in a New Language
Dan Everett
Professor of cognitive sciences at Bentley College, known for his work with the Piraha language.
Bentley College
Episode: Podcast episode 38: Interview with Dan Everett on C.S. Peirce and Peircean linguistics

Host

James McElvenny
Host of History and Philosophy of the Language Sciences

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 60 ratings
  • Great podcast on the history of the language sciences

    Superb podcast covering mostly academic linguistics and connections to philosophy.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JJRev
    Australia3 years ago
  • Great linguistic podcast

    Tells the modern, mainly academic, history of linguistics from a theoretical viewpoint, precisely articulated and clear, hope it continues.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pmv10001
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the discussions for their depth and clarity, particularly valuing the academic rigor and philosophical insights present.
Feedback highlights a strong appreciation for the historical context provided in the linguistics discourse, indicating satisfaction with the scholarly approach taken.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#130
South Korea/History
Apple Podcasts
#145
Sweden/History
Apple Podcasts
#194
Finland/History
Apple Podcasts
#209
Singapore/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Podcast episode 48: A History of Modern Linguistics
Q: What impacts do geopolitical events have on linguistics?
McElvenny highlights major political developments, such as the Napoleonic Wars and their influence on linguistics, emphasizing a social and intellectual history approach.
Podcast episode 48: A History of Modern Linguistics
Q: Why does the book end with World War II?
McElvenny states that World War II marks a significant shift in the center of gravity of Linguistics from Europe to America.
Podcast episode 48: A History of Modern Linguistics
Q: What are the beginnings and what is it that begins?
McElvenny explains that his book is about the academic discipline of linguistics, which starts as it becomes institutionalized in universities, primarily in early 19th century Germany.
Podcast episode 47: Geoff Pullum on Geoff Pullum
Q: Do you think that linguistics is anything more than just a sort of intellectual pastime?
Geoff believes it should matter and reflects on writing a book titled Linguistics, Why It Matters, but acknowledges that he questions the impact of his work in linguistics compared to advancements in AI and large language models.
Podcast episode 46: Philip Kraut on Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Q: Who were the Brüder Grimm and why are we still talking about them today?
The Brüder Grimm are among the most important writers in German literature, known not only for their fairy tales but also for their foundational work in philology and language sciences.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content centers on the exploration of the historical evolution and cultural contexts surrounding the study of language, examining notable figures and movements that have influenced this field. Topics range from foundational contributions to modern linguistic theories, highlighting the intersectionality between language, philosophy, and history. The discussions often feature guest experts who offer unique insights into landmark events and methodologies within linguistics, contributing to a deeper understanding of how language shapes societal narratives and cultural identities.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps
2. Entitled Opinions (about Life and Literature)
3. Philosophy Bites
4. In Our Time
5. Lingthusiasm - A podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 6 years ago and published 51 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Geoff Pullum
2. Beijia Chen
3. Ian Stewart
4. Judy Kaplan
5. Randy Harris
6. Chris Knight
7. Nick Riemer
8. Ingrid Piller

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