In this engaging and highly respected book, S.I. Hayakawa discusses the role of language in human life, the many functions of language and how language ? sometimes without our knowing ? shapes our thinking. Provocative and erudite, this book examines the relationship between language and racial and religious prejudice; the nature of dangers of advertising, from a linguistic point of view; and, in an additional chapter called ?The Empty Eye,? Hayakawa addresses the content, form, and hidden message of television, from situation comedies to news coverage to political advertising.

First Harvest edition published in 1990.