Abstract

In 1956 W.V.O. Quine was asked by Reuben A. Brower to write an essay specifically devoted to the theme of translation for an anthology which was to appear in 1959 edited by Brower himself. Recently found at the Harvard University Archives, the correspondence between Brower and Quine about this contribution is published here for the first time. It is introduced by a short essay which describes the historical and cultural context in which it took place and sketches the consequences Brower's invitation had on Quine's thoughts on meaning, notably that of shaping the perspective through which Quine was to discuss this notion in "Word and Object".