Language and Nature in the Classical Roman World

by Barnaby Taylor, Barnaby Taylor

A familiar theme in Greek philosophy, largely due to the influence of Plato's Cratylus, linguistic naturalism (the notion that linguistic facts, structures or behaviour are in some significant sense determined by nature) constitutes a major but under-studied area of Roman linguistic thought. Indeed, it holds significance not only for the history of linguistics but also for philosophy, stylistics, rhetoric and more. The chapters in this volume deal with a range of naturalist theories in a variety of authors including Cicero, Varro, Nigidius Figulus, Posidonius, and Dionysius of Halicarnassus. The result is a complex and multi-faceted picture of how language and nature were believed to interrelate in the classical Roman world.

Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2019

About the author

Barnaby Taylor is a multi-talented author and artist whose work spans a range of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and experimental film. He is best known for his writing guide How to Write Something and the popular VIRO series, both of which showcase his passion for storytelling and his gift for engaging and informative writing. In addition to his writing career, Taylor is also an avid enthusiast of artificial intelligence, 1950s Japanese cinema, gaming, and rare soul music. When he's not writing or making films, Taylor can be found exploring new technologies, immersing himself in his favourite hobbies, and spending time with his loved ones.Barnaby posts updates on his writing on his blog and you can subscribe to these at www.barnabyftaylor.com. You can also find him on Twitter @BarnabyFTaylor.