Patrick S. D. McCartney, "Sanskrit-Speaking' Villages, Linguistic Utopias and the Metaphysics of Development" (Routledge, 2026)

Patrick S. D. McCartney, "Sanskrit-Speaking' Villages, Linguistic Utopias and the Metaphysics of Development" (Routledge, 2026)

From New Books in Indian Religions by Marshall Poe

May 28, 2026 · 37 min

About this episode

Patrick S. D. McCartney discusses his book on the contemporary relevance of Sanskrit and its role in development.

Sanskrit-Speaking' Villages, Linguistic Utopias and the Metaphysics of Development (Routledge, 2026) is a recollection of the McCartney's journey across 'Sanskritland, ' which is the term coined to refer to the utopian landscape within which the 'Language of the Gods' is thought to be spoken. There are three destinations on the author's journey. This study sheds light on how, why, and where Sanskrit is spoken in the twenty-first century, the complex and dynamic historical and contemporary that have allowed this, and how both yoga and Sanskrit are instruments for development and soft-power projects. This book is an essential read for scholars and students of linguistic anthropology, Indology, and sustainable development. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/indian-religions

People in this episode

Host: Marshall Poe

Guest: Patrick S. D. McCartney

Topics covered

  • Sanskrit
  • linguistic anthropology
  • Indology
  • sustainable development
  • yoga
  • metaphysics

Keywords

  • Sanskrit
  • linguistic utopias
  • development
  • yoga
  • sustainable development
  • anthropology
  • Indology

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Routledge

Books & works: Sanskrit-Speaking' Villages, Linguistic Utopias and the Metaphysics of Development

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