Culture and Communication: The Logic by Which Symbols Are Connected: An Introduction to the Use of Structuralist Analysis in Social Anthropology

Themes in the Social Sciences

by Edmund Leach

Edmund Leach's book investigates the writings of 'structuralists,' and their different the general incest theory and of animal sacrifice. This book is designed for the use of teaching undergraduates in anthropology, linguistics, literary studies, philosophy and related disciplines faced with structuralist argument. It provides the prolegomena necessary to understand the final chapter of Levi-Strauss's massive four-volume Mythologiques. Some prior knowledge of anthropological literature is useful but not essential. The principal ethnographic source is the Book of Leviticus; this guide should help anyone who is trying to grasp the essentials of 'seminology' - the general theory of how signs and symbols come to convey meaning. The author's core thesis is 'the indices in non-verbal communication systems, like the sound elements in spoken language, do not have meaning as isolates, but only as members of set'; the book's special merit is that it makes this kind of jargon comprehensible in terms of our everyday experience.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction, Philosophy, British Literature, Social Science, Ethnography

116 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Sir Edmund Ronald Leach was a British social anthropologist.

Reviews

[aleks]

okei ma ei lugenud seda tervenisti läbi aga ma kirjutasin selle põhjal oma tekstianalüüsi essee !!

[Tina Estep]

This is a great introduction to the understanding of Structural Anthropology and to understanding the meaning of and relationship between symbols of various cultures and rituals.

[Geku]

This was the basis for my BA thesis, infinitely helpful.

[Bushra]

Finding it difficult to read and to follow through understanding some passages and ideas. Liked some parts of it. Did not like too much technical jargon and mathematics. What's the point? Also, not everyone reading the book had read the bible. The sacrifice chapters especially in reference to the bible stories were a torture to read. Sorry no!

[Wojciech]

Po lekturze "Smutku tropików" Levi-Straussa szukałem zaczepienia, przede wszystkim teoretycznego, które pomogłoby mi pogłębiać wiedzę o strukturalizmie.

Leach przedstawia go z elegancją, nie popadając w pułapkę nadmiernego żargonu.

[versarbre]

As Leach says, this is a book suitable for undergraduate reading, so basically it is a fun, witty, and useful exercise book for whoever wants to practice anthropological thinking. Pretty much like a short version of Czerny's exercises for piano learners!

[Ismail cherradi]

this essay's for the undergraduate who want to have a knowledge about the act of communication.

[Kadi]

Mulle meeldis Leachi süstemaatiline lähenemine ning üsna suure tõenäosusega tulen selle teksti juurde erialases töös veel mitu korda tagasi.