This book examines the nature of lying by considering the correlation between language and thought, language and reality, and language and context. In the five essays included, Weinrich relies on literary and philosophical works from Aristotle to Zola to propose his argument that linguistics can examine how language hides thoughts and how truth becomes distorted into lie. He weaves a sophisticated philosophy of the ways in which language is true or untrue, and the mechanisms of linguistics, literature, and life that signal these truths or untruths.

The first essay, “The linguistics of lying,” explores how linguistics can be used to describe what happens in language when truth is distorted into lie. Beginning with a discussion of lexical versus textual meaning, Weinrich proposes that while lexical meanings are “broad, vague, social, and abstract,” textual meanings are “narrow, precise, individual, and concrete.” He concludes that words in isolation do not lie, but sentences in context do. Thus, he contends, lying should be assessed not on the Augustinian definition of a lie – the intention to deceive – but on the reality in which the sentence is uttered. Weinrich also examines linguistic devices such as metaphors and irony, which clearly contradict reality and could be considered lies, but which do so with signals marking them as special devices.

The next four essays continue his examination of how language hides thoughts, but do so with an orientation toward literature, social norms, and virtues rather than toward linguistics. In “Jonah's sign,” “Politeness, an affair of honor,” “Politeness and sincerity,” and “The style is the man is the devil,” Weinrich ponders such questions as whether a tall tale can reveal an important truth; how honor became a male virtue with rigid boundaries while politeness became a female virtue, full of subtleties and nuances; when, historically, politeness of manner was at its height and when it fell to be of less importance than sincerity; and how style, intrinsic and unique to each writer, potentially overrides content. Relying heavily on literary and philosophical references to make their points, these essays examine the ethics and morals that complicate the issue of defining the concept of lying.

As a linguist, I found the first essay to be most relevant for linguistic readers; however, I appreciate that Weinrich brings other perspectives on language to his book. While less linguistic in nature than “The linguistics of lying,” the other four essays nonetheless examine his overarching question of how language hides thoughts. Although it is clear that Weinrich is writing as a philosopher, anyone interested in language will enjoy these essays.