Linguistics- semantics

• NSM = Natural Semantic Metalanguage

  • about 60 semantic primitives = primes
  • tries to find out the basic semantic elements which exist in all languages of the world

  => lexical, grammatical concepts + concepts of cultural norms
• Universalism = thought influences language

  • human thought = similar across all cultures
  • all languages = similar as far as their conceptual categories are concerned
• Linguistic/ cultural relativity = language influences thought

  • differences in ling. conceptualization = key role
  • lexical + grammatical concepts = influenced by the culture in which they have developed
• Culture-specific words = food terms (Sauerkraut, haggis), terms for customs (St. Patrick‘s day), terms for social institutions (Kindergarten, Supreme Court)
• Cultural factors = influence language; e.g. Brazil culture points to the past, when they look at the future