190,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock πŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ 

Overnight NZ-wide delivery | πŸ“ Visit our Auckland bookstore β€’ Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

What is Philosophy of Language?

Brief Description
Language is a major part of what makes us human. We effortlessly attach meaning to sounds and marks, in themselves meaningless, to convey to one another our beliefs, desires, intentions, and other states of mind. How is this amazing feat possible? Claudine Verheggen introduces readers to... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3599
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 3-4 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Language is a major part of what makes us human. We effortlessly attach meaning to sounds and marks, in themselves meaningless, to convey to one another our beliefs, desires, intentions, and other states of mind. How is this amazing feat possible?

Claudine Verheggen introduces readers to the fascinating study of language from a philosophical perspective. She sheds light on the nature of linguistic meaning by investigating two broad categories of questions: one concerns the relation between meaning and the extra-linguistic reality language users talk about, the other concerns the relation between meaning and facts about language users themselves.

Verheggen explores the views of prominent philosophers and lays the foundations that help us to address questions in an array of other subdisciplines to which philosophy of language is relevant, from psychology to political theory. Throughout, she pays special attention to the many different ways in which words are used, asking whether language is fundamentally a social phenomenon and whether conventions are essential to it.

Lively and accessible, built on a strong narrative structure, What is Philosophy of Language? is a key resource for any philosophy student or philosophically minded person with a passion for language.

Series: What is Philosophy?

View all
  • What is Metaphysics?
    If we didn't possess certain beliefs about such things as time, appearance and reality, and how effect follows cause, we wouldn't be able to get out of bed in the morning, let alone read a book about metaphysics, which is the study of our experience and those ideas, or presuppositions, which allow us to make sense of it. Drawing on...
    Paperback
    $8600
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • What is Philosophy of Mind?
    We all have minds, but what exactly is a mind? Is your mind the same thing as your brain? How does what’s happening in your mind cause your behaviour? Can you know what’s going on in other people’s minds? Can you even be sure what’s going on in your own? Are babies conscious? How about cats? Or self-driving cars? Philosophy...
    Paperback
    $3599
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks
  • What is Ethics?
    Ethics is a field of study that we all need. This is because we all make choices, and ethics is about the general norms that govern how we should make those choices. Not surprisingly, there is disagreement over what the β€œnorms” are, but by working through such disagreement, we can learn how to make better choices. James P. Sterba presents...
    Paperback
    $3599
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks
  • What is Philosophy of Religion?
    An important part of philosophy is concerned with religious questions. What is the meaning of life, and how might religious faith or doubt impact such meaning? What is the evidence for the existence of God? Is evidence essential for religious faith? What is the relationship between science and religion? What is the relationship between religions? How can or should one...
    Paperback
    $3599
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks
  • What is Philosophy of Science?
    Philosophy of science puts science itself under the microscope: What exactly is science? How do its explanations of the world differ from those of other subjects, including so-called "pseudo-sciences"? How should we understand and evaluate scientific methods? What, if anything, can science tell us about the nature of physical reality? Dean Rickles guides beginners through the central topics in philosophy...
    Paperback
    $3599
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks
  • What is Philosophy of Language?
    Language is a major part of what makes us human. We effortlessly attach meaning to sounds and marks, in themselves meaningless, to convey to one another our beliefs, desires, intentions, and other states of mind. How is this amazing feat possible? Claudine Verheggen introduces readers to the fascinating study of language from a philosophical perspective. She sheds light on the...
    Paperback
    $3599
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks
  • What is Epistemology?
    Epistemology is the philosophical study of knowledge. Epistemologists seek to understand knowledge’s nature and availability. What is knowledge? There are competing theories. Can we really have knowledge? Challenges abound. In this lively book, Stephen Hetherington introduces us to epistemological theorizing. He builds a theory and tests it, refines it, and challenges it again. He explores such topics as evidence, truth...
    Paperback
    Sold Out

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781509556977

Publisher: Polity Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 28 May 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Polity Press

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Weight: 300g

Pages: 168

About the Author

Claudine Verheggen is Professor of Philosophy at York University, Toronto.

More from Philosophy & Psychology

View all
  • Atomic Habits
    Atomic Habits by James Clear is a transformative guide that demonstrates how tiny, incremental changes in behaviour can fundamentally reshape your life. Rather than urging sweeping transformations, Clear advocates for the compound effect of hundreds of small decisions. Whether it’s performing two push-ups a day, waking up five minutes earlier, or making a brief, focused phone call, these minuscule adjustments,...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • 1984 Nineteen Eighty-Four
    In the drab and oppressive world of 1984 Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell introduces us to Winston Smith, a man haunted by the omnipresent surveillance and control exercised by the Party and its enigmatic leader, Big Brother. Winston works diligently at the Ministry of Truth, where his job is to alter historical records to fit the ever-changing narrative dictated by the...
    Paperback
    $1299
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • How Lucky Am I
    The first full book featuring social media sensation Mr. Skelly, with over 5 million global followers, a skeleton who teaches us that life is a gift to be treasured, reminding us how lucky we all are to live in this present moment. For readers of The Book of Gifts and The Little Frog’s Guide to Self Care. In this poignant,...
    Hardback
    $4299
    Elsewhere:
    $5500
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Daily Stoic
    The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman offers an enriching journey through the ancient philosophy of Stoicism, distilled into a format meant for modern readers' daily use. This compelling book is structured as a day-by-day guide, bringing wisdom, insight, and guidance from esteemed Stoic philosophers like Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius directly to your life. Each day unveils...
    Paperback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $3299
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Happiness Trap
    Free yourself from depression, anxiety, and insecurity, and instead, build a rich and meaningful life with the world's best-selling guide to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Over 1 million copies sold! The Happiness Trap by Dr. Russ Harris is an illuminating and transformative guide designed to help readers navigate the challenging landscape of modern life. As an expert in ACT,...
    Paperback
    $3200
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The DOSE Effect
    The DOSE Effect offers small habits to boost your brain chemistry. "This book will help you find more motivation, create deeper connections, energise your body, and destress your mind," says Jay Shetty, author of Think Like a Monk. Life can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Today’s fast-paced world leaves many of us struggling with extreme emotional highs...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Courage to be Disliked
    The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga presents an enlightening and thought-provoking dialogue between a philosopher and a young man disillusioned with life. In a series of conversations, the philosopher introduces the principles of Alfred Adler's psychology, advocating for personal empowerment and mental freedom. Through this engaging dialogue, the young man learns to confront the societal...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Winner's Formula
    The Neuroscience of Peak Performance, Success, and Happiness Why do some people win all the time? Why do others languish? From Olympians to Formula 1 drivers, addicts to billionaires, cognitive neuroscientist Dr Kerry Spackman has spent decades working to help people understand how to succeed. In The Winner's Formula, Kerry explains what goes on in your brain when you are...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Lessons on Living
    Bestselling author Nigel Latta's simple psychological toolkit for life's ups and downs. Over thirty years working as a clinical psychologist, Nigel Latta assembled a personal toolkit based on three simple principles. These principles helped him to be more resilient, joyful, and attuned to what matters most. The same principles have helped him through some difficult times as well, such as...
    Paperback
    $3299
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (3)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Aroha
    Aroha by Dr Hinemoa Elder is an enlightening exploration of timeless Maori wisdom, intricately woven into a contemporary context. This top-selling non-fiction title from New Zealand in 2021 introduces readers to 52 traditional Maori proverbs, known as whakataukΔ«, each offering a profound lesson for every week of the year. Dr Elder, a respected Maori psychiatrist, delves into these powerful sayings...
    Hardback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Creative Act
    Many famed music producers are known for a particular sound that has its day and then ages out. Rick Rubin is known for something else: creating a space where artists of all different genres and traditions can home in on who they really are and what they really offer. He has made a practice of helping people transcend their self-imposed...
    Hardback
    $4400
    Elsewhere:
    $5500
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Godel, Escher, Bach
    Godel, Escher, Bach, by Douglas R. Hofstadter, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece that delves into the complex interplay between the works and ideas of three brilliant minds: mathematician Kurt GΓΆdel, artist M. C. Escher, and composer Johann Sebastian Bach. This interdisciplinary treatise embarks on a journey through a labyrinth of mathematical theorems, artful prints, and intricate compositions, weaving them together...
    Paperback
    $4200
    Elsewhere:
    $4999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 190,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.