Greenspeak: A Study of Environmental Discourse

In this remarkably interdisciplinary examination of the discourse of environmentalism, the authors explore the linguistic, philosophical, psychological and cultural-historical aspects of environmental discourse; rather than environmental phenomena themselves. This volume is not advocacy on environmentalism, rather, it is an analysis of the means of persuasion and the techniques of advocacy used by both sides of the environmental debate between ôconservationistsِ and ôconservatives.ِ Based on studies conducted between 1992 and 1996, the book includes an analysis of the concepts of time and space in their linguistic manifestations. Another theme is the interdependencies of the natural world with political and economic institutions. Ultimately, it is a call to action, as the authors see in the increasing ôgreeningِ of English and other Western languages, a kind of linguistic way of replacing or postponing action with talk alone. A groundbreaking volume, Greanspeak will promote dialogue among professionals and students in the fields of environmental issues, linguistics, discourse, psychology, and public policy.