LFU:online

Intercultural competences fostering an understanding of otherness Avoidance of ethnocentricity Avoidance of errors induced by language Fostering interdisciplinary and scientific work Critical approach to the affinity of thought/language/culture

The seminar will focus on the interrelation of language and thought (considering also the given cultural context) regarding the cultures of both Americas as well as the cultures of the ancient Near East. This interrelation will furthermore be reconstructed within the (western) history of ideas. The purpose requires an interdisciplinary and critical approach because different perspectives and theories (i.e. linguistic, scientific, philosophical as well as philological theories) will be discussed and reflected.

Open discussion and talks given by the participants and conductors of the seminar.

Oral and written report.

Literature (not complete):

 Deutscher Guy, “Im Spiegel der Sprache. Warum die Welt in anderen Sprachen anders aussieht“, C.H. Beck Verlag, München 2011

 Everett Daniel L., „Cultural Constraints on Grammar and Cognition in Pirahã“, Current Anthropology, 46 / 4, 2005, S. 621-646

Gipper Helmut, „Gibt es ein sprachliches Relativitätsprinzip? Untersuchungen zur Sapir-Whorf-Hypothese“, Fischer Verlag, Frankfurt am Main 1972

Whorf Benjamin Lee, „Sprache Denken Wirklichkeit“, Beiträge zur Metalinguistik und Sprachphilosophie, Rowohlt, Reinbeck bei Hamburg 1963

Topics for presentation will be announced in class