Social History and Conceptual History

In: International journal of politics, culture and society, Band 2, Heft 3, S. 308-325

Abstract

A historical retrospective of the interrelationships of social & conceptual history is presented, particularly their basis in linguistic expressions, ie, speech & writing. Both histories presuppose a connection between synchronic events & diachronic structures. The example of marriage is detailed using two models, one oriented toward events, actions in speech, writing, & deed, & another toward diachronic presuppositions & long-term transformation. It is concluded that the two histories need & refer to one another without being able to coincide with each other; they have different rates of change, & are based in different repetitive structures, but both must be considered in any study of history. M. Malas