The Zipf’s Law and Other Ways of Identifying Culture-Specific Linguistics Units

Diana Akizhanova ,Sholpan Zharkynbekova ,Serikkul Satenova

doi:10.20896/saci.v6i2.363

Diana Akizhanova , Sholpan Zharkynbekova + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.20896/saci.v6i2.363

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Abstract

Every language contains a number of linguistic units that serve as a key to understanding the culture of its language speakers. Therefore, they bear specific information that helps to reveal cultural similarities and dissimilarities. Taking into account contemporary studies and focus of the science, this information can be very critical and relevant in intercultural communication. In this paper, we name such linguistic units as cultural keywords. So, we claim that cultural keywords can serve as a tool for intercultural communication. They are indicators for describing and understanding cultures. This can help to study, learn, discuss and describe the cultures of different nations all over the world. In the paper we suggest methodologies to identify cultural keywords. We claim that a methodological basis for the study may consist of three methods: semantic analysis, argumentative analysis and the Zipf's law. However, these are not comprehensive methods for discovering the keywords. Findings of the research can be applied to intercultural and cross-cultural studies as well as other interdisciplinary cultural studies.

Highlights

Nowadays keywords are used in many fields of science
According to the authors, the word “traitor” plays an important role in both the logical and the communicative structures of the argument: “From a logical viewpoint, it appears in the subject of the major premise and the predicate of the minor premise, playing the role of terminus medius in the structure of the syllogism
It plays an important role in the recovery of the unstated premise.” (Rigotti & Rocci 2005, p. 130)

Summary

Introduction

Nowadays keywords are used in many fields of science. A keyword bears information, and this characteristic feature makes it valuable. As for intercultural communication, keywords are used to describe and explain the cultures. The first works related to cultural keywords go back to Raymond Williams in his sociological studies. The author defined keywords as “significant, binding words in certain activities and their interpretation; they are significant, indicative words in certain forms of thought” (Williams, 1976: 13). He made an attempt to find a number of words that play particular importance. Williams noted the words society, industry, democracy, class, art and culture which reflect the changes occurred in life and society

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