My assignment is to contribute to the conceptual and terminological analysis of "alienation'. The assignment is worth the effort it demands because the concept is widely used in social science; because phenomena ordered under this rubric are widespread (Toynbee calls this the century of alienation, and my morning newspaper informs me that even working-class youth in America are alienated); and because linguistics may be able to supply a crucial element in the solution of the longstanding puzzle of social science methodology. These reasons are adequate; indeed, they suffice to arouse anxiety.