Review of Sounding Out Semantics

[José Cortez]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Sounding Out Semantics" by R.J. Mott Jr..]

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4 out of 5 stars

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The need to expel fallacies and errors and teach the right knowledge motivated R.J. Mott Jr to write this beautiful piece titled Sounding Out Semantics: The Limits of Philosophy. This book which is divided into seven broad chapters, considers several subject matters ranging from the meaning of semantics itself (as this is a necessary step towards understanding what the author intends to dispel about semantics) to the universe. Mott showed what people are meant to believe about certain terms, especially by philosophers of language and linguists, and what they truly are. Not just that, he gives clear reasons as to why his position is the proper position.

There are a few negative aspects of this book. First, in the beginning, the author highlighted certain points that he considers crucial. It is my opinion that this style not only has a bad outlook on the work but also suggests the lack of trust on the part of the author to his readers in having continued interest in the book, reading it word for word, and highlighting for themselves, certain points they consider crucial. Also, despite the good job that the author did in citation and referencing, certain essential citations were left out, for example, where the author talked about certain theorists that explained 'meaning' in terms of their sounds and properties. He didn't refer the readers to the 'certain theorists' he had in mind or to where these theorists made those assertions.

Nevertheless, there are also certain positive aspects of the book. First, the persuasive nature of the author in marshaling out his alternative functional value is admirable. Second, the author did wide consultation in writing the book and reasoning opinions of other scholars.

Mott uses stimuli, thinking, and other concepts to show his functional acoustic devices and how most problems with 'meaning' and languages can be solved through his functional value method. I find chapter six on Epistemology particularly interesting. Indeed, the book is a good one for understanding the reason why there have been contradictions and conflicts among philosophers of language and linguists about basic concepts, the right approach, the right understanding, and the proper meaning of these basic concepts. It is on this basis that I will be recommending this book to every literate person—willing to dispel fallacies indoctrinated into them about certain words and number usages—especially to persons who are interested in linguistics and the philosophy of language.

There were a few grammatical errors identified in the book. Also, there is an inconsistency in the structure of the chapters of the book. Instead of using chapters six and seven in line with the mode previously used, the author used different styles. This and the negatives identified above affect my rating of this book, as I give the book 4 out of 5 stars. The positive aspects I mentioned earlier ensured that the book did not get a lower rating.

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Sounding Out Semantics
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[Mihiri Wasana Mohottala]

Sounding out semantic is given several theories to figure out the truth from misery. I can’t wait to read it.