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Author: Patricia T. O'Conner Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks ISBN: 0812978102 Category : Language Arts & Disciplines Languages : en Pages : 290
Book Description
Do you cringe when a talking head pronounces “niche” as NITCH? Do you get bent out of shape when your teenager begins a sentence with “and”? Do you think British spellings are more “civilised” than the American versions? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you’re myth-informed. In Origins of the Specious, word mavens Patricia T. O’Conner and Stewart Kellerman reveal why some of grammar’s best-known “rules” aren’t—and never were—rules at all. This playfully witty, rigorously researched book sets the record straight about bogus word origins, politically correct fictions, phony français, fake acronyms, and more. Here are some shockers: “They” was once commonly used for both singular and plural, much the way “you” is today. And an eighteenth-century female grammarian, of all people, is largely responsible for the all-purpose “he.” From the Queen’s English to street slang, this eye-opening romp will be the toast of grammarphiles and the salvation of grammarphobes. Take our word for it.
Author: Patricia T. O'Conner Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks ISBN: 0812978102 Category : Language Arts & Disciplines Languages : en Pages : 290
Book Description
Do you cringe when a talking head pronounces “niche” as NITCH? Do you get bent out of shape when your teenager begins a sentence with “and”? Do you think British spellings are more “civilised” than the American versions? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you’re myth-informed. In Origins of the Specious, word mavens Patricia T. O’Conner and Stewart Kellerman reveal why some of grammar’s best-known “rules” aren’t—and never were—rules at all. This playfully witty, rigorously researched book sets the record straight about bogus word origins, politically correct fictions, phony français, fake acronyms, and more. Here are some shockers: “They” was once commonly used for both singular and plural, much the way “you” is today. And an eighteenth-century female grammarian, of all people, is largely responsible for the all-purpose “he.” From the Queen’s English to street slang, this eye-opening romp will be the toast of grammarphiles and the salvation of grammarphobes. Take our word for it.
Author: James Boucher Publisher: Taylor & Francis ISBN: 1040017339 Category : Social Science Languages : en Pages : 185
Book Description
The Mythic Indian: The Native in French and Québécois Cultural Imaginaries charts a genealogy of French and Québécois visions of the Amerindian. Tracing an evolution of paradigms from the sixteenth century to present, it examines how the myths of the Noble, Ignoble, and Ecological Savage as well as the Vanishing Indian and Going Native inform a variety of discourses and ways of thinking about Québécois culture. By analyzing mythic depictions of the Native Figure that originate at first contacts, this book demonstrates that an inextricable link exists between discourses as disparate as literature and science. This book will be of interest to scholars in French Studies, Francophone Studies, Indigenous Studies, Hemispheric Studies, Social Sciences, and Literary Studies.
Author: Edward Proctor Hunt Publisher: Penguin ISBN: 0698179579 Category : Social Science Languages : en Pages : 242
Book Description
A masterpiece of Pueblo Indian mythology, now in a restored edition Edward Proctor Hunt, a Pueblo Indian man, was born in 1861 in the mesa-top village of Acoma, New Mexico, and initiated into several secret societies, only to later break with his people’s social and religious codes. In 1928, he recited his version of the origin myth of the Acoma Indians to Smithsonian Institution scholars. Hailed by many as the most accessible of all epic narratives recounting a classic Pueblo Indian story of creation, migration, and ultimate residence, the myth offers a unique window into Pueblo Indian cosmology and ancient history, revealing how a premodern society answered key existential questions and formed its customs. In this new edition, Peter Nabokov renders this important document into a clear sequence, adds excerpted material from the original storytelling sessions, and explores the creation and roles of such myths in Pueblo Indian cultures. The remarkable life of Edward Hunt is the subject of Peter Nabokov’s companion volume, How the World Moves, which follows Hunt and his sons on their passage from tradition to modernity as they strike out as native entrepreneurs and travelling interpreters of American Indian lore.
Author: Wiktor Stoczkowski Publisher: Cambridge University Press ISBN: 9780521657303 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 248
Book Description
Wiktor Stoczkowski, a palaeo-anthropologist, argues that the theories of human origins developed by archaeologists and physical anthropologists from the early nineteenth century to the present day are structurally similar to Western folk theories, and to the speculations of earlier philosophers. Reviewing a remarkable range of thinkers writing in a variety of European languages, he makes a convincing argument for this case. Even though the book criticises the lack of development in theories of human origins, its conclusion is optimistic about the power of the scientific approach to deliver more reliable theories - but only if the influences of popular discourse on its thinking are properly identified.
Author: Richard S. Caldwell Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA ISBN: 0195072669 Category : Gods, Greek Languages : en Pages : 223
Book Description
Presented in clear, comprehensible language, this study first explains the aspects of psychoanalytic theory relevant to the understanding of Greek myth, and then interprets, using psychoanalytic methodology, the Greek myth of origin and succession, particularly as stated in Hesiod's Theogony. Caldwell's provocative study will appeal to a wide range of classicists, teachers and students of mythology, and those interested in the application of psychoanalytic methods to literature.
Author: Thomas M. Bohn Publisher: Berghahn Books ISBN: 1789202930 Category : Social Science Languages : en Pages : 304
Book Description
Even before Bram Stoker immortalized Transylvania as the homeland of his fictional Count Dracula, the figure of the vampire was inextricably tied to Eastern Europe in the popular imagination. Drawing on a wealth of previously neglected sources, this book offers a fascinating account of how vampires—whose various incarnations originally emerged from folk traditions from all over the world—became so strongly identified with Eastern Europe. It demonstrates that the modern conception of the vampire was born in the crucible of the Enlightenment, embodying a mysterious, Eastern otherness that stood opposed to Western rationality. From the Prologue: From Original Sin to Eternal Life For a broad contemporary public, the vampire has become a star, a media sensation from Hollywood. Bestselling authors such as Bram Stoker, Anne Rice and Stephenie Meyer continue to fire the imaginations of young and old alike, and bloodsuckers have achieved immortality through films like Dracula, Interview with a Vampireand Twilight. It is no wonder that, in the teenage bedrooms of our globalized world, vampires even steal the show from Harry Potter. They have long since been assigned individual personalities and treated with sympathy. They may possess superhuman powers, but they are also burdened by their immortality and have to learn to come to terms with their craving for blood. Whereas the Southeast European vampire, discovered in the 1730s, underwent an Americanization and domestication in the media landscape of the twentieth century, the creole zombies that first became known through the cheap novels and horror films of the 1920s still continue to serve as brainless horror figures. Do bloodsuckers really exist and should we really be afraid of the dead? These are the questions that I seek to tackle, following the wishes of my daughter, who was ten when I started this project.
Author: Andrew J. Bould Publisher: Square & Compass Publishing ISBN: Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 245
Book Description
The A-to-Z Greek Mythology Dictionary - THE ULTIMATE GUIDE to Gods, Heroes, Legendary Creatures, and Myths Unlock the Mysteries of Ancient Greece! Step into the captivating world of Greek mythology, where gods and goddesses, heroes and heroines, and legendary creatures bring timeless stories to life. The A-to-Z Greek Mythology Dictionary is your definitive companion, offering an immersive journey through the rich tapestry of ancient Greek myths. Discover: - Gods and Goddesses: Delve into the lives of the mighty Olympians, from the thunderous Zeus to the wisdom-bearing Athena. - Heroes and Heroines: Follow the epic adventures of Achilles, Heracles, and Odysseus, whose tales of bravery and cunning continue to inspire. - Legendary Creatures: Encounter mythical beings like the fearsome Minotaur, the enchanting Sirens, and the formidable Hydra. - Myths and Legends: Explore the timeless stories that have shaped literature, art, and culture for millennia. Why This Book? - Comprehensive Coverage: With over 700 detailed entries, this dictionary covers every major figure, concept, and story in Greek mythology. - Engaging Format: Each entry is written in a compelling, narrative style that brings the myths to life. - Expert Insights: Gain a deeper understanding of the symbolism, historical context, and cultural significance of each myth. - Beautifully Designed: Featuring a user-friendly layout, this book is as visually appealing as it is informative. Who Should Read This Book? - Mythology Enthusiasts: Whether you're a seasoned scholar or a curious beginner, this book is a treasure trove of knowledge. - Students and Educators: An invaluable resource for anyone studying or teaching Greek mythology. - Writers and Creatives: A source of endless inspiration for storytelling, world-building, and character development. - History Buffs: Explore the intersection of myth and history in ancient Greece. Embark on an epic adventure through the legends of ancient Greece. Let The A-to-Z Greek Mythology Dictionary be your guide to the enchanting world of gods, heroes, and mythical creatures. Grab your copy today and unlock the secrets of Greek mythology!
Author: Frog Publisher: Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura ISBN: 9522227633 Category : Social Science Languages : en Pages : 487
Book Description
Mythic discourses in the present day show how vernacular heritage continues to function and be valuable through emergent interpretations and revaluations. At the same time, continuities in mythic images, motifs, myths and genres reveal the longue durée of mythologies and their transformations. The eighteen articles of Mythic Discourses address the many facets of myth in Uralic cultures, from the Finnish and Karelian world-creation to Nenets shamans, offering multidisciplinary perspectives from twenty eastern and western scholars. The mythologies of Uralic peoples differ so considerably that mythology is approached here in a broad sense, including myths proper, religious beliefs and associated rituals. Traditions are addressed individually, typologically, and in historical perspective. The range and breadth of the articles, presenting diverse living mythologies, their histories and relationships to traditions of other cultures such as Germanic and Slavic, all come together to offer a far richer and more developed perspective on Uralic traditions than any one article could do alone.
Author: Nasser Zakariya Publisher: University of Chicago Press ISBN: 022650073X Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 563
Book Description
Popular science readers embrace epics—the sweeping stories that claim to tell the history of all the universe, from the cosmological to the biological to the social. And the appeal is understandable: in writing these works, authors such as E. O. Wilson or Steven Weinberg deliberately seek to move beyond particular disciplines, to create a compelling story weaving together natural historical events, scientific endeavor, human discovery, and contemporary existential concerns. In AFinal Story, Nasser Zakariya delves into the origins and ambitions of these scientific epics, from the nineteenth century to the present, to see what they reveal about the relationship between storytelling, integrated scientific knowledge, and historical method. While seeking to transcend the perspectives of their own eras, the authors of the epics and the debates surrounding them are embedded in political and social struggles of their own times, struggles to which the epics in turn respond. In attempts to narrate an approach to a final, true account, these synthesizing efforts shape and orient scientific developments old and new. By looking closely at the composition of science epics and the related genres developed along with them, we are able to view the historical narrative of science as a form of knowledge itself, one that discloses much about the development of our understanding of and relationship to science over time.
Author: Matthew Restall Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 0199839751 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 403
Book Description
Here is an intriguing exploration of the ways in which the history of the Spanish Conquest has been misread and passed down to become popular knowledge of these events. The book offers a fresh account of the activities of the best-known conquistadors and explorers, including Columbus, Cortés, and Pizarro. Using a wide array of sources, historian Matthew Restall highlights seven key myths, uncovering the source of the inaccuracies and exploding the fallacies and misconceptions behind each myth. This vividly written and authoritative book shows, for instance, that native Americans did not take the conquistadors for gods and that small numbers of vastly outnumbered Spaniards did not bring down great empires with stunning rapidity. We discover that Columbus was correctly seen in his lifetime--and for decades after--as a briefly fortunate but unexceptional participant in efforts involving many southern Europeans. It was only much later that Columbus was portrayed as a great man who fought against the ignorance of his age to discover the new world. Another popular misconception--that the Conquistadors worked alone--is shattered by the revelation that vast numbers of black and native allies joined them in a conflict that pitted native Americans against each other. This and other factors, not the supposed superiority of the Spaniards, made conquests possible. The Conquest, Restall shows, was more complex--and more fascinating--than conventional histories have portrayed it. Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest offers a richer and more nuanced account of a key event in the history of the Americas.
Author: Patricia T. O'Conner
Author: Patricia T. O'Conner
Author: James Boucher
Author: Edward Proctor Hunt
Author: Wiktor Stoczkowski
Author: Richard S. Caldwell
Author: Thomas M. Bohn
Author: Andrew J. Bould
Author: Frog
Author: Nasser Zakariya
Author: Matthew Restall