This is a rich and engaging work of outstanding scholarship. Scholars in sociolinguistics, literature, and folklore will recognize the importance of the book for their fields. General readers will find it just plain interesting.
Why Do We Quote? The Culture and History of Quotation
Ruth Finnegan | March 2011
xvi + 327 | 41 black and white illustrations | 6.14" x 9.21" (234 x 156 mm)
ISBN Paperback: 9781906924331
ISBN Hardback: 9781906924348
ISBN Digital (PDF): 9781906924355
DOI: 10.11647/OBP.0012
BIC subject codes: JHMC (Social and cultural anthropology, ethnography); CB (Language: reference and general); BISAC subject codes: SOC002010 (Cultural & Social anthropology), SOC005000 (Social science / Customs & Traditions), REF000000 (REFERENCE / General); OCLC Number: 837935651.
Preface
I. SETTING THE PRESENT SCENE
1. Prelude: a dip in quoting’s ocean
2. Tastes of the present: the here and now of quoting
3. Putting others’ words on stage: arts and ambiguities of today’s quoting
II. BEYOND THE HERE AND NOW
4. Quotation marks present, past, and future
5. Harvesting others’ words: the long tradition of quotation collections
6. Quotation in sight and sound
7. Arts and rites of quoting
8. Controlling quotation: the regulation of others’ words and voices
III. DISTANCE AND PRESENCE
9. What is quotation and why do we do it?
Appendix 1: Quoting the academics
Appendix 2. List of the Mass Observation writers
References
© 2011 Ruth Finnegan
Further details and the full legal statement of this CC-BY licence are available at: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
I SETTING THE PRESENT SCENE
[Introductory; case study/ies of present practices]
1. Prelude: a dip in quoting’s ocean
A short dip into my own personal encounter with quoting/quotation in study, home and street to introduce examples and issues gently, and hopefully relate in an accessible and engaging way to readers’ similar (or contrasting) encounters. 3-4 illustrations of visually displayed quotations.
2. Tastes of the present: the here and now of quoting
This and the following chapter lay out the major case study which the later chapters take as their point of departure. Building on the tradition of the ethnography of speaking and writing, they track how quoting is in practice utilized, signalled and regarded among present-day users in (mainly) south central England in the early 21st century. It is based both on personal participant observation and (extensively) on comments and reflections by some two hundred volunteer commentators from a panel who write regularly for the Mass Observation Archive (University of Sussex). They exemplify and discuss their quoting from so-called ‘official’ quotations (like Shakespeare, the Bible or classic literary works), to proverbs, songs, family sayings, personal conversations or the latest catchwords from TV shows. The more comparative and historical chapters of Part II are thus illuminated not only by the practices reported by these commentators but also by the insights, emotions and personal engagements that they convey, and the (sometimes unexpected) issues they raise. 4 illustrations
‘Here and now’?
What are people quoting today?
Gathering and storing quotations
3. Putting others’ words on stage: arts and ambiguities of today’s quoting
Continues the case study of the previous chapter, raising further issues and complexities. 1 illustration
Signalling quotation
When to quote and how
To quote or not to quote
So why quote?
II BEYOND THE HERE AND NOW
[digging into some historical and comparative background to put Part I’s findings in perspective]
4. Quotation marks present, past, and future
Quotations marks, easy just to take for granted, have a more complex and varied history than usually realised, one which to an extent shapes our usages – and puzzles - today. The chapter notes the huge variety of quote signals, with their inconsistencies and uncertainties (several already noted by the British commentators of chapter 3), and starts from one specific example (a passage from the New Testament) to illustrate some of the differences over the years. It then goes back to explore the early origins and development of our present system, starting with the Greek arrow-shaped diple and tracing its development and changing usages over many centuries, not least the contrasting approaches to what was meant by quoting and whose words counted. Later developments in the European novel added to the complexity, with the intermingling of ‘direct’ and ‘indirect’ speech and recognition of ‘free indirect speech’. Far from being neutral graphic symbols, the signalling of ‘quotation’, in its various senses, links into changing ideologies and debates about the social and cosmic order, the nature of ‘originality’, and what it is to be a human being. 10-11 illustrations (especially important in this chapter)
What are quote marks and where did they come from?
What do they mean?
Do we need them?
5. Harvesting others’ words: the long tradition of quotation collections
Collections of quotations rather seldom figure in the histories of literature, yet humans have compiled and valued them for millennia, dating back to Sumerian proverb collections in ancient Mesopotamia. Here is a different strand in the treatment of others’ words which carves them out decisively, complementing the strategy of marking them by quotation signals within a longer text. This chapter again starts with one particular example – the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, the iconic collection most frequently mentioned by the British commentators – then goes back through earlier collections to exemplify the changes, contrasts and continuities, focusing mainly on four mini-case studies: Macdonnel’s A Dictionary of Quotations in Most Frequent Use. Taken from the Greek, Latin, French, Spanish, and Italian Languages; Translated into English (1797 with many later editions and pirated copies, in both Europe and America); the successive editions of Erasmus’ famous Adages from 1500 onwards, of (eventually) over 4000 quotations from classical Greek and Latin authors, a best seller for centuries; Thomas of Ireland’s Manipulus florum in the early 14th century, ordered with amazing efficiency as source book for preachers; and Cato’s Distichs, a collection of Latin moralistic epigrams, probably from the 3rd-4th century AD and still a school text in the 18th century. The popularity and longevity of such collections is remarkable, so too is the striking continuity of certain quotations, repeated down the centuries as compilers mined their predecessors: a long tradition lay behind the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. 8 illustrations to exemplify layout and title pages etc.
A present-day example: The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations
Forerunners in the written western tradition
Where did they come from?
Why collect quotations?
6. Quotation in sight and sound
So far the examples have focused on written forms, but this chapter raises the question of whether quotation necessarily depends on writing (as some have argued) and illustrates how others’ words and voices can be and are drawn on in oral settings and can be enhanced in performance, sometimes in notably complex ways. Musical quotation is discussed briefly, followed by a more extensive account of pictorial dimensions such as the role of calligraphy and image in staging quotation, the books of illustrated proverbs popular since at least the 15th century, and the famous proverb pictures by Brueghel and other Dutch painters. 6 or 7 illustrations, specially important for the final section.
Quoting and writing – inseparable twins?
The wealth of oral quotation
Quoting blossoms in performance
Music, script and image
7. Arts and rites of quoting
Quotation, imitation, tradition, allusion, model, reminiscence – these are recurrent themes in the study of literature, of ritual and of culture. But they are differently defined, practised and recognised in differing settings, and many differing if related terms are drawn on by both practitioners and analysts. This chapter sketches some of the many ways others’ words and voices have been richly and subtly drawn on, under varying headings, in such frameworks as narrative, rhetoric, exposition, ‘poetry’, ritual, and play. This is further illustrated through a range of specific examples, from Virgilian epic and the long-lived Japanese waka poetry where old material is lovingly re-used in living poetry over the centuries, to south Slavic ‘oral-formulaic’ epic, twentieth-century Ghanaian novelists, Yoruba praise chants, Kuna oratory, the quotation-drenched genre of contemporary academic writing, T. S. Eliot, and the lyrics of Bob Dylan. The shifting and elusive boundaries of what counts as quoting in some or all of its many senses, and the changing yet overlapping practices and interpretations over the centuries help to explain why many people – including the Mass Observation commentators – are both actively engaged in this deeply creative set of human practices and uncertain about just how to interpret or define it. 3 illustrations
Frames for others’ words and voices
An array of quoting arts
How do the thousand flowers grow and who savours them?
8. Controlling quotation: the social regulation of others’ words and voices
Quoting is not always approved, or not in all situations (there were unexpectedly strong sentiments on this among the Mass Observation commentators): like any other powerful human activity it is socially controlled and shaped. This chapter traces (briefly) some key historical developments relating to such concepts and practices as ownership, imitation, copyright, and plagiarism, together with the varying social patterns and arguments (and in some cases contradictions) over who is allowed or not allowed to quote, from what authorities, how, to whom and in what circumstances – and how far this is or should be affected by changing technologies. The topic remains highly controversial – quoting is too mighty a force, it seems, to be allowed to run free - and continues to arouse passionate debate today. 3-4 illustrations
Who plants and guards the flowers? Imitation, authors and plagiarism
Constraining and allowing quotation: who and how?
What is a flower, what a weed?
III DISTANCE AND PRESENCE
9. What is quotation and why do we do it?
This first returns to the opening example (the English ‘here and now’) – one particular case, culturally and historically specific, but not only in itself heterogeneous but also with conventions in part shaped by earlier historical traditions. Goes on to discuss the difficult issues of the identification and characteristics of using others’ words and voices, the dual nature of quotation (past and present; here and distant/absent; one’s own and not one’s own). and of why, eventually, humans quote
So what is it?
The far and near of human texts and voices
Why quote?
Appendix: Quoting the academics
This has two functions: 1) a bit of the obligatory scholarly referencing and abstraction (thus making it possible to bypass this in the introductory chapters), at the same time as 2) exemplifying this genre of writing / quoting: a heavy use of others’ words but with the current author’s scholarly voice both distancing and claiming them; also additionally 3) some further details about the Mass Observation commentators of Chapters 2 and 3 (probably with a list as Appendix 2)
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Reviews on Readers’ Favorite
In a highly interesting and well done book in the category of cultural nonfiction, Why Do We Quote? The Near and Far of Others' Words and Voices by author Ruth Finnegan is a worthwhile read. Pulling from anthropology, cultural history, folklore, cultural studies, socio-linguistics, literary studies, and the ethnography of speaking, the book provides an absolutely fascinating look at why people in our society quote others and how we do it. The book also serves as an excellent study into ideas like imitation, allusion, authorship, originality and plagiarism, and will make readers think deeply into our framework for why we think the way we do about quoting and our use of quotations. This book is both entertaining and educational, and readers will enjoy it from start to finish.
I must admit, when I looked at Why Do We Quote? The Near and Far of Others' Words and Voices, my first thought was, "A whole book about quotations? How is that possible? And how could it be interesting?" But I was certainly surprised by author Ruth Finnegan's excellent work. Her work is amazing in that it presents form and usage of speech in a highly interesting fashion, and her style of historical inquiry into the topic almost makes one feel as if you are reading a whodunit mystery. I was drawn into this book from the very beginning, and enjoyed it so thoroughly that I read the whole thing in only a few sittings. I highly recommend Why Do We Quote? to any reader looking for a unique and interesting book with a wonderful historical perspective. I look forward to reading more from author Ruth Finnegan as soon as I can, and hope that she is hard at work on her next book!
Why Do We Quote? by Ruth Finnegan is a book on the history of quotations and how these were used since the beginning of literature. This book is definitely a great help for students who study literature and are working on their research reports. Apart from that, Finnegan talks about who uses quotations and how they do it in their respective fields. She is tracing the history of quotations and how they became what they are today. It was very interesting to read about quotations. You might think that this subject matter would be boring, but it is not. Finnegan keeps us entertained with her dry sense of humor and quality written material. You cannot question her research because she has covered every single aspect of it and backed her theories with solid arguments. I wish I'd had a reference book like this when I was working on my research thesis. Finnegan actually gives us so much more than simple quotations. She also talks about things that plague research students, such as the modern concepts of plagiarism and the originality of content and an idea. As research work is becoming far reaching and everyone and anyone is producing research on any given topic, this book will help students in deciding on their topics and making sure that their work remains "original” and not a "plagiarised idea.” I would recommend this book to students who want some guidance in their research work.
Why Do We Quote?: The Near and Far of Others' Words and Voices by Ruth Finnegan is an engaging book that speaks about quoting, and the tradition of quoting during public speaking and writing essays. Quoting and quotations have flourished in written forms for many centuries now. Though quoting in writing is common, oral quotation is also significant in speeches, poetry readings, proverbs, catchphrases, and many more. The book speaks about the conventions of oral quoting, which is learned informally, while written quoting is well-recognized in practice and has a powerful position. The author's demarcation of oral and written quoting is interesting to read and learn. The book will be useful to all those associated with literature as it gives them an idea on how to use the words and voices of others while expressing their thoughts. It's also the sort of book that many types of readers will enjoy. Why do we quote? The book states that the use of quotation is not new. The background to our practice of quoting is vast and goes back centuries, showing how many a time our speeches are filled with others' words.
I found the book highly interesting. It makes one ponder about the use of quotation and it's a book that all English language lovers will enjoy reading. The book also shows an interesting point in the approaches to language and writing, and it also demonstrates the dominant practices when it comes to education, speech, and writing.
Why Do We Quote? by Ruth Finnegan is a book on the history of quotations and how these were used since the beginning of literature. This book is definitely a great help for students who study literature and are working on their research reports. Apart from that, Finnegan talks about who uses quotations and how they do it in their respective fields. She is tracing the history of quotations and how they became what they are today. It was very interesting to read about quotations. You might think that this subject matter would be boring, but it is not. Finnegan keeps us entertained with her dry sense of humor and quality written material. You cannot question her research because she has covered every single aspect of it and backed her theories with solid arguments. I wish I'd had a reference book like this when I was working on my research thesis.
Finnegan actually gives us so much more than simple quotations. She also talks about things that plague research students, such as the modern concepts of plagiarism and the originality of content and an idea. As research work is becoming far reaching and everyone and anyone is producing research on any given topic, this book will help students in deciding on their topics and making sure that their work remains "original” and not a "plagiarised idea.” I would recommend this book to students who want some guidance in their research work.