Abstract
A N G E L A K I j o u r n a l o f th e th e o r e t ic a l h u m a n i ti e s v o lu m e 6 n u m b e r 2 a u g u s t 2 00 1 would like to begin this essay with a few Isimple reminders pertaining to the grammar of the terms ÒexchangeÓ and Ògift.Ó It amazes me how often theories of exchange and theories of the gift fail to observe these grammars and go against the ordinary usage of the terms, without any preliminary warning. I have never subscribed to...
A N G E L A K I j o u r n a l o f th e th e o r e t ic a l h u m a n i ti e s v o lu m e 6 n u m b e r 2 a u g u s t 2 00 1 would like to begin this essay with a few Isimple reminders pertaining to the grammar of the terms ÒexchangeÓ and Ògift.Ó It amazes me how often theories of exchange and theories of the gift fail to observe these grammars and go against the ordinary usage of the terms, without any preliminary warning. I have never subscribed to Òordinary languageÓ philosophies and, there- fore, I do not believe that one can decide on the merits or demerits of a theory on the basis of whether or not the theory welcomes or coins words with a meaning that ordinary language (is there such a thing?) has not sanctioned. But I do believe that a lot can be gleaned from the way words are put to use in everyday discourse. I constantin v. boundas believe, for example, that the multivocity that words demonstrate
Angelaki: Journal of Theoretical Humanities – Taylor & Francis
Published: Aug 1, 2001
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