Kenneth L. Pike (1912–2000)
Publications
From Pike's first published article in 1937 to an article published in 2002, two years after his death, the extent of his interests and influence is apparent.
Some of his publications that are republished here are:
- The Writings of Kenneth L. Pike: A Bibliography, a chapter from Language and Life: Essays in Memory of Kenneth L. Pike published in 2003. References throughout this website to Pike's writings are linked to this bibliography.
- Talk, Thought, and Thing: The Emic Road Toward Conscious Knowledge where Pike addresses the current changing world, in which “men are slipping their intellectual moorings.”
- A Linguistic Pilgrimage, an autobiographical sketch that originally appeared in E.F.K. Koerner (ed.), First Person Singular III: Autobiographies by North American scholars in the language sciences. Reprinted with permission.
- My Pilgrimage in Mission, an autobiography describing Pike's journey through the seasons of his life, the impact of his experiences on the direction of his life, and his impact on language theory.
- Woodstock Academy Valedictory, published in the Putnam Patriot, Putnam, Conn. Thursday, June 21, 1928.
Scattered throughout this site are examples of Pike's poetry and maxims that he was fond of.
My Choice
If it comes to a choice, I'll choose honest, gentle character, rather than production or position.
What is gain? The world? or fame?
What is loss? Obscureness not boss?
Never.
Can output and books cancel sad looks
Of Christ, my God for paths untrod?
Never.
Can vim and vigor, work done with rigor
Justify hurt from ungentleness curt?
Never.
Character's need-Let work go unheeded.
If choice must be made I'll choose unafraid-
Ever.
God knows what is best-His choice, the test.
Though production may fall, I'll follow His call-
Ever.
If care there be why cast it on me-
The task to be done by His wisdom's won-
Ever.
March 15, 1952 K.L.P.