Abstract

In recent years, the focus of historical research has shifted from events to the substructures of large-scale processes. Begrijffsgeschichte, represented by the multi-volume Geschichtliche Grundbegrifte, is an analysis of the concepts accompanying such processes and interpretations of them. It is problematic whether such concepts offer adequate historical interpretations or prejudge the analysis. Begriflsgeschichte incorporates history of ideas, historical semantics, and sociology of knowledge; it selects the relevant terms and methods of interpretation for the new social history of ideas. The attempt is to define cultural transition on the basis of changes in language. Specifically examined are changes in the types of communications and in the relative usage of those communications. Begriffsgeschichte describes three kinds of linguistic response to new experiences: the adaptation of traditional meanings, conceptual innovation, and the extension of new meanings to old realities