Jean-Yves Lacoste’s Search for Speech in an Age of Nihilism

This article provides a detailed review of the recent English translation of Jean-Yves Lacoste’s book In Search of Speech. It discusses the contrast between Lacoste’s phenomenological approach and the reduction of speech to language that is characteristic of modern linguistics in the wake of Ferdinand de Saussure. Despite Lacoste’s criticisms, the review draws attention to parallels between his analyses and some aspects of analytic philosophy of language. The review also highlights the particular spiritual and pastoral interest of the author’s reflections on the possibility of liturgical speech after the “death of God.” It closes with critical remarks on the accuracy of the translation.