Rationality and interpretation ambitiously explores identity across various disciplines within linguistics. Its laudable goal is to bring together approaches not typically in dialogue with each other. Yet, a substantial portion of the book traditionally falls under applied linguistics. In each of its four parts, ideas from representative scholars, not all linguists, are presented in view of the overarching theme of identities. The chapters within each part have numerous subsections, and their cursory nature is often at the expense of a coherent narrative. Ideas are brought in without due respect for their merit or the author's use and development of these ideas for the chosen theme. The prose, initially accessible, shifts to stylistically lamentable jargon, particularly in later sections. Certain topics, such as the inclusion of long literary excerpts by Virginia Woolf, a fleeting reference to the lamentable Cecil Rhodes incidents, and transient remarks on the epistemological foundation of Covid-discourses detract from the author's goals, leaving a perfunctory impression.
Part 1 delves into theoretical linguistics, incorporating Chomsky's Universal Grammar and empirical evidence from Basque (a language isolate) and Igala (spoken in Nigeria) to demonstrate the coexistence of syntactic parameters and surface variation. The author proceeds to cognitive linguistics, drawing first on Wittgenstein's philosophy of language and Kant's a priori truths, before moving towards non-linguistic modules of the mind and a non-Cartesian embodied understanding of language.
Part 2 elaborates on Halliday's Systemic Functional Grammar and Vygotsky, connecting language to social actors who create meaning through language use. Structuralism is discussed in connection with synchronic and diachronic changes in word meaning, arguing, in Saussurean terms, for parole to be the origin of changes in social discourse that can, at times, feed into langue.
Part 3 embraces Fairclough's Critical Discourse Analysis, presenting language as sociocultural symbolic capital. It follows Bourdieu, claiming the need to cultivate critical awareness and deconstruct narratives to see behind prestige varieties. The idea of intersubjective identities, heteroglossia, and individualised social language aligns with Bakhtin's and Vygotsky's social constructivism approaches to language, respectively. Verlan, spoken in France, is used as an example for identity formation through a particular slang commonly emerging in hybrid subcultures. Ricoeur's concept of Narrative Identities is introduced charting sameness and the linguistic other, highlighting cross-linguistic distinctions in meaning and interpretation in the context of second language acquisition and intercultural communication.
Part 4 goes beyond structure and argues for a ‘multiple and multi-layered’ nature of language and identity (125), discussing the relationship between signifier and signified. It draws on Derrida's deconstructivism to show how narrative historical discourses have been interpreted differently over time, arguing against a ‘completed and absolute meaning’ (138). The conclusion introduces further new material.
In essence, the book effectively brings together various linguistic perspectives, but its brevity limits the depth of exploration. Improving narrative coherence and carefully selecting material and style would greatly strengthen its overall impact.
