Two-level language games

International relations as inter-lingual relations

Bibliographic Data

ID6061085
AuthorsEinar Wigen (0000-0001-5061-8034, University of Oslo, corresponding author)
Year2015
Volume21
Issue2
Pages427-450
Publication date2015-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEuropean Journal of International Relations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1354-0661 • E-ISSN: 1460-3713
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1354066114541878
OpenAlexW2034749848
LanguageEN
Citations received21
References cited85

To the extent that polities interact across linguistic boundaries, international relations are also inter-lingual relations. Since relations and practices are given meaning in language, it has to be possible to give at least a minimum of shared meaning to mutual relations in order for inter-lingual relations to function smoothly. Otherwise, the divergence of meaning and consequently also of social expectations will limit the possible extent and quality of those relations. Nevertheless, International Relations has not theorised inter-lingual relations. This article addresses this deficiency by proposing a theory of ‘conceptual entanglement’ as an approach to studying how compatibility of meaning comes about and is maintained between linguistic communities and hence also between polities. With the ‘expansion of international society’ from the 19th century onwards, linguistic divides have gradually narrowed, especially in terms of political vocabularies. Yet, residues remain, making inter-lingual relations qualitatively different for different pairs of languages, and thus also for polities. The article elaborates on how conceptual entanglement is an aspect of ‘entry’ into international society by using the theory on the case of how the French concept of ‘civilisation’ was translated into Ottoman and became part of the political vocabulary of the Ottoman Empire and later Turkey

Civilization · Epistemology · International relations · Linguistics · Meaning (existential) · Political science · Politics · Social relation · Social science · Sociology · Vocabulary · Cyprus History, Politics, Society · European Union Policy and Governance · International Relations and Foreign Policy · Law · Philosophy

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