A critical theory of linguistics: a humanistic approach
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A critical theory of linguistics: a humanistic approach

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Introduction

A critical theory of linguistics: a humanistic approach. Explores a critical theory of linguistics with a humanistic approach, opposing scientistic views by emphasizing individual, historical speech and an ethics aligned with Western humanism.

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Abstract

The paper presents some of the main thesis of the “Critical Theory of Linguistics” on which the author is working at present, together with epistemological and ethical motivations underlying them. It starts from the Humboldtian axiom “language is real only while speaking each time”, opposing this viewpoint to several theoretical positions in the 20th century; positions that have replaced the fact of considering human speech as something rigorously individual and historical by images of “language” reduced to systems and rules acting beyond individuals and investigated under scientistic methodologies. Contrary to “linguistic ideologies” which have become dominant she proposes to follow the Kantian commitment of studying the human being not in order to “describe”, but aiming that he should “make the best possible out of himself”. Thus she unites the criticism against the metaphysics underlying formal structuralisms with an ethics in accordance with Western humanism. She also underscores the importance of studying language from a historical and comparative perspective.


Review

The paper, "A critical theory of linguistics: a humanistic approach," introduces the foundational theses of a nascent "Critical Theory of Linguistics," driven by explicit epistemological and ethical motivations. The author positions this project as a direct challenge to prevalent 20th-century linguistic theories, which are characterized as having reduced language to abstract systems and rules, thereby neglecting its inherently individual and historical manifestation in human speech. By re-centering the Humboldtian axiom, "language is real only while speaking each time," the abstract signals an ambitious and timely effort to re-evaluate the very core of linguistic inquiry and its relationship to human experience. A significant strength of the proposed theory lies in its dual commitment to intellectual critique and ethical grounding. The author robustly opposes what they term "linguistic ideologies" and the metaphysics underlying "formal structuralisms," which are seen to rely on "scientistic methodologies" that obscure the human dimension. In contrast, the paper champions a Kantian commitment, aiming not merely to describe language but to empower individuals to "make the best possible out of themselves." This synthesis of a critique against dehumanizing linguistic models with an ethics aligned with Western humanism is particularly compelling, promising a rich framework. The emphasis on historical and comparative perspectives further suggests a comprehensive and nuanced methodological approach to this new critical theory. While the abstract eloquently outlines the broad scope and the critical and ethical underpinnings of this project, it also highlights areas that would benefit from further elaboration in a full paper. A more precise identification and detailed critique of the specific "linguistic ideologies" and "formal structuralisms" targeted, alongside a clearer definition of what constitutes their "scientistic methodologies," would strengthen the theoretical arguments. Furthermore, while the embrace of a Kantian ethical commitment and Western humanism is a powerful statement, a deeper exploration of its concrete implications for linguistic analysis and the practice of linguistics would be invaluable. Overall, this paper presents a highly relevant and provocative intervention in contemporary linguistic discourse, offering a much-needed humanistic lens that promises to be a significant and stimulating contribution.


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