The Role of Language in Magic and Divination

This article discusses the use of language in magic and divination in Russia and the Balkans. It focuses on the work of Michael Silverstein, who has argued that language is not simply a tool for communication, but also a way of enacting social reality. Silverstein’s work has been influential in the study of ritual and performance, and his insights are relevant to a wide range of disciplines, including anthropology, linguistics, and folklore.

Here are some of the key questions that the article addresses:

• What is the relationship between language and magic?
• How do linguistic categories shape cultural understandings of the world?
• What is the role of language in ritual performance?

  The article provides answers to these questions by drawing on a wide range of ethnographic and linguistic data. It concludes by arguing that language is a powerful tool that can be used to create and sustain social worlds.