Communicating - Softcover

Finnegan, Ruth

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1032484144 ISBN 13: 9781032484143

Publisher: Routledge, 2023

Synopsis

Kirkus review "OUR VERDICT: GET IT"
LITERARY TITAN GOLD AWARD
 
Treatments of human communication mostly draw on cognitive and word-centred models to present it as predominantly a matter of words. This, Finnegan argues, seriously underestimates the far-reaching multi-modal qualities of human interconnecting and the senses of touch, olfaction, and, above all, audition and vision that we draw on.
In an authoritative and readable account, Ruth Finnegan brings together research from linguistic and sensory anthropology, material culture, non-verbal communication, computer-mediated communication, and, strikingly, research on animal communication, such as the remarkable gesture systems of great apes. She draws on her background in classical studies and her long anthropological experience to present illuminating examples from throughout the world, past and present.
The result is to uncover an amazing array of sounds, sights, smells, gestures, looks, movements, touches, and material objects used by humans and other animals to interconnect both nearby and across space and time
She goes on to first explore the extra-sensory modes of communication now being revealed in the extraordinary "new science" research and then, in an incendiary conclusion, to deny the long-prevailing story of human history by questioning whether orality really came before literacy; whether it was really through "the acquisition of language" that our prehistoric cave painting ancestors made a sudden leap into being "true humans"; and finally, astonishingly, to ask whether human communicating had its first roots not, after all, in verbal language but something else.
Not to be missed, this highly original book brings a fresh perspective on, among other things, that central topic of interest today - the dawn of human history - and on what being homo sapiens really means. This revised and updated edition has additional illustrations, updated chapters, and a new concluding chapter.
A provocative and controversial account that will stir worldwide debate, this book is an essential transdisciplinary overview for researchers and advanced students in language and communication, anthropology, and cultural studies.
 
mary
Communication is a vital component of nature that enables both humans and animals to interact and coexist. This book is a compendium of all aspects of communication, and what makes it effective in both its verbal and non verbal forms. Finnegan explained deeply how humans make use of the five senses of sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing to aid communication in its basic form. The roles played by diverse cultures and civilizations, as well as improvements with the help of advanced technological inputs.
However, how many people have paused to wonder how flocking birds, swarming bees, or schooling fishes are able to coordinate their movements in sophistication and one accord, even without a coordinator? The author of this intriguing book also talked about that and how they relate to human social communication.
Readers of this book will not only be enlightened about all the evolutionary trends in human communication, but would also become acquainted on the direction future modes of communication will likely take.
The book also contains index, images and graphic representations, to ensure that readers understand all details perfectly.

About this title

About the Author

Ruth Finnegan OBE FBA FAFS is Emeritus Professor (Open University), Medalist of the Royal Anthropological Society of Great Britain and Ireland, and Honorary Fellow of Somerville College, University of Oxford. Her previous publications, many of them prize-winning, focus mainly on linguistic anthropology, music, and cultural history.

From the Back Cover

KIRKUS REVIEW ("get it")
Finnegan, an academic linguist, argues for a more expansive interpretation of communication.
Proponents of the dominant theories of human discourse, the author observes, tend to see its development as a "one-way ladder" that ascends from primitive to increasingly more sophisticated forms, culminating in speech. This interpretative approach, often "logocentric" (focused on words as communication) and "unidimensional," overly privileges Western civilization as a paradigm of communication, but it also neglects the full richness of communication, which the author defines as the "purposive, organised and mutually recognisable process in which individuals actively interconnect with each other." This more inclusive understanding not only focuses on verbal speech, or on the conveyance of information, but also on interconnection provided by all the senses. Communication thus may be emancipated from verbal text, she asserts. Finnegan then explores, with great subtlety and insight, the multifarious expressions of communication in dance and rituals—to name only two of the communication methods she discusses. The author also discusses what she admits is the "deeply contentious area" of paranormal encounters and extrasensory communication. Throughout, Finnegan doesn't treat communicative modalities as distinct from the social conditions from which they arise; instead, she shows how they're mediated by cultural context. Ultimately, her view of communication is so convincingly broad that she's able to emphasize the "human-animal continuity," in which other species connect in remarkably complex ways, and how this idea can be used to illuminate human means of interconnection. The author aims for a popularly accessible study that avoids an overly granular survey of the academic literature; the result is an engaging, straightforward work likely to appeal to the curious nonprofessional—one that's free of turgid jargon, but still intellectually exacting. Finnegan doesn't ignore the more traditional elements of communication, nor does she neglect to acknowledge the "predominantly audiovisual" orientation of humans. She offers a challenging counterpoint to theories that reduce such communication to their cognitive or evolutionary parts, instead sketching a theory of far greater depth.
An approachable yet impressively rigorous study of various forms of language.
****
Readers Favorite 5 STAR REVIEW by JJ Phillips
Communicating: The Multiple Modes of Human Communication by Ruth Finnegan is a non-fiction book about the way we communicate with one another. Human communication and interaction is a fascinating topic, and Finnegan covers it well. She suggests that communication is not limited to words or visual images. We can communicate more than just through mass media, social media, or other digital means. What if we could use our multi-sensory qualities of sounds, sight, and touch to create a connection with animals? What if we could communicate across the long and strange divides of space and time? Through many references to different historical time periods, cultural, and social settings, Finnegan asks the reader to think of communication in a different way. Picture the art of Shakespeare. Imagine further back to the Greeks and their teachings and traditions. Or the oral traditions in African countries. All of this is used to illuminate to the reader what communication really is, and how far we still have to go before we better understand it.

Communicating: The Multiple Modes of Human Communication is a very interesting and educational book that made me really think about the way I understood the art of communicating. Finnegan does a really nice job of including examples of different time periods, genres, and different parts of the world to relate to many people. She has a passion for this subject that comes out on the page and made me want to learn as much as I could about the subject as well. This is such an interesting topic that is very well written. It could change the way people think about communicating forever.

From the Inside Flap

LITERARY TITAN 5 STARS

Communicating: The Multiple Modes of Human Communication 3rd Edition by Ruth Finnegan presents a thorough and insightful examination of human communication, transcending the conventional focus on verbal language. Finnegan adeptly delves into the multifaceted aspects of communication, encompassing not only spoken words but also the nuanced realms of gestures, body language, material objects, and the contexts in which these interactions occur. Her approach highlights the intricate and layered nature of human interactions, with a particular emphasis on the significance of non-verbal elements such as facial expressions and sensory experiences. This perspective offers readers a comprehensive and dynamic understanding of communication.
Finnegan's writing style is both clear and inviting, effectively demystifying complex concepts for a broad audience. Her narrative is enriched by anecdotes and vivid descriptions, making the book as engaging as it is informative. From beginning to end, the text is infused with a depth of material and a keen analytical perspective, showcasing Finnegan's scholarly acumen and intellectual diligence. Her reflective and inquisitive tone invites readers into a deep exploration of communication's diverse dimensions. The book's use of diverse examples, ranging from 20th-century England to 1960s Sierra Leone, underscores Finnegan's commitment to examining communication across various cultural contexts. This approach, coupled with references to semiotic and structuralist theories, adds theoretical depth to her exploration.
Rather than diving into complex definitions from the outset, Finnegan opts for an experiential approach to communication. This strategy enhances the book's accessibility and appeal, making it a compelling read for a wide audience. Communicating serves as a foundational text for those deeply interested in the expansive study of human communication. It caters to readers seeking a nuanced and reflective understanding of the term 'communication' and its multifaceted nature, especially in relation to broader social and cultural contexts.
Ruth Finnegan's Communicating stands out as a comprehensive guide to understanding the diverse and complex facets of human communication. Her skillful blending of high-quality writing with in-depth discussion captures the functional value of communication in society, stimulating intellectual curiosity and providing valuable insights into the intricate interactions that define our social fabric


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Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1032484144
• ISBN 13: 9781032484143
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 338