The Sphota Theory of Language

by Harold Coward

One of the most significant attempts to understand language from within in the history of human thought. Dr. Coward has described the complex and often intuitive aspect of Sphota Theory in clear English. He has placed the technical arguments of the Sphota Theorists within the proper context of the philosophical schools of thought current in classical India. But he has also related the sphota view of language to modern life and especially to the function of words and scripture in contemporary experience.

158 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1981

About the author

Harold G. Coward is a professor emeritus of history and the founding director of the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society at the University of Victoria. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He served as president of the Canadian Society for the Study of Religion and was the founding editor of the Journal for Hindu-Christian Studies and editor of the WLU Press series The Study of Religion in Canada. He has authored twenty books along with many edited books, chapters and articles. His publications include Scripture in the World Religions (2002), Mantra: Hearing the Divine in India and America (2004), and The Perfectibility of Human Nature in Eastern and Western Thought (2008).

Reviews

[Revanth Ukkalam]

Decent read.