Natural Semantic Metalanguage Research Articles

Motion verbs related to Javanese traditional fishing activities: a natural semantic metalanguage approach

Motion verbs related to Javanese traditional fishing activities: a natural semantic metalanguage approach

Talking about the deceased in the Jish linguaculture

Abstract This paper has aimed to look into the terms and expressions used in the Jish linguaculture when talking about the deceased. Seventeen such terms and expressions are presented, discussed, and explicated using the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) approach. The explications appear in simple, (semi-)universal language, which makes them relatively easily understood and readily translatable into any language. This, in turn, means that the explications are accessible by linguacultural insiders and outsiders. In addition, the study provides anthropologists and linguists with precise analysis owing to its micro-level focus; it investigates the micro-linguaculture of Jish, which belongs to the macro-culture of the Arab world. Lastly, the study documents one aspect of this undocumented linguaculture; this documentation can preserve one part of this linguaculture from fading into oblivion.

A natural semantic metalanguage approach on the meaning of animal taboo names in the Acehnese culture

This paper utilizes the Natural Semantic Metalanguage Approach (NSM) to explore the meanings of animal-related taboo names among the Acehnese in Indonesia. Through qualitative interviews with 12 respondents from Langsa City and Peureulak District in East Aceh, the NSM approach reveals two categories of animal taboos. The first, the taboo of swearing, involves offensive language equating individuals with animals like ‘bui’ (pig), ‘asèe’ (dog), ‘pa’ee’ (gecko), ‘muruwa’ (monitor lizard), and ‘lemo’ (cow). The second, the taboo of fear, rooted in cultural beliefs, deems certain animals sacred and prohibits mentioning their names in natural settings, including ‘rimueng’ (tiger), ‘gajah’ (elephant), ‘buya’ (crocodile), ‘badeuk’ (rhinoceros), ‘uleue’ (snake), and ‘tikôh’ (rat). Acehnese use alternative names to show respect, reflecting a belief that respecting nature facilitates harmonious living. The semantic primitive meaning of animals’ taboo for swearing involves a substantive component, a substantive relational of a kind, and bad as an evaluator. Equating humans with these animals is prohibited when their names are used in the context of insulting others. The taboo of fear is attributed to the animals’ perceived holiness and sacredness, with the semantic primitive involving something kind and bad. Acehnese believe these animals possess mystical powers and can hear their names when being called, hence suggesting the use of alternative names for these animals is preferable.

Semantic Analysis of Swahili Action Verb “To cut”: A Natural Semantic Metalanguage Approach

This research paper aims to analyze the Swahili action verb “to cut” within the framework of Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) theory. The study also seeks to identify other Swahili verbs that share similar semantic correlations. No research has been conducted on the verb “to cut” using the NSM model in Swahili. Therefore, this research is crucial in bridging the gap in the existing literature. Swahili holds a significant position as one of the official languages in Kenya, alongside English, making it prevalent in the region. To achieve the research objectives, a qualitative-descriptive research design methodology was employed. Native Swahili speakers were involved in the study, and selected texts were utilized as data sources. Through self-examination and careful analysis, a total of 22 Swahili verbs were identified to have comparable semantic correlates to the verb “to cut.” These verbs include kata, tahirisha, pogoa, tema, katisha, nyofoa, chuna, vunja, kuhasiwa, tenganisha, nyoa, keketa, chanja, punguza, fyeka, pasua, chana, chinja, katika, gawanya, chomoa, and ng’oa. The findings of this study reveal that the Swahili word for “cutting” is derived from the original meaning of “doing” or “happening.” In this context, X represents the agent, Y represents the patient, and Z represents the instrument used in the action of cutting. By exploring the semantic relationships of the verb “to cut” and identifying other verbs that share similar patterns, this research sheds light on the versatility and richness of the Swahili language verbs.

Translating Persian Emotion into English Subtitles from a Semantic Perspective: A Case of Persian Films

Abstract A matter of great concern in audiovisual translation is considering how the emotion words can be conveyed. Creating emotional adaptability, in addition to language proficiency, cultural sensitivity, and technical aptitude is a necessary skill for every subtitler. This study analyzed, through the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) method, the compatibility of the corresponding emotion words/concepts in the original (English) and subtitled versions (Persian) of ten Persian films based on Johnson-Laird and Oatley’s (1989) coherent categories and basic emotions, as well as the semantic explications. According to the results, the subtitles into Persian of the English emotion words/concepts were categorized into eleven categories, with ‘same source and target emotions’ as the most frequent category. This confirmed the efficiency of the NSM method and deemed it an efficient toolkit for subtitling emotion words/concepts, particularly the culture-specific ones. Accordingly, a three-level model was proposed for analyzing the ‘emotional adaptability’ of emotional pairs across languages. Keywords: Audiovisual Translation, Emotion words/Concepts, Natural Semantic Metalanguage, Subtitling.

Contrastive Metapragmatics and the Shifting Semantics of “Sarcasm” in English and Danish

Abstract Despite valuable studies into the uses/functions of sarcasm, no previous investigation has focused on the semantics of “sarcasm” as an emic metapragmatic category. We provide a contrastive lexical study of English and Danish using the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) approach. We find that the English noun sarcasm has been undergoing semantic innovation and is now polysemous, as is its corresponding adjective. Roughly, older sarcasm1 expresses a positive message with an obvious negative intention, while newer sarcasm2 expresses a negative message with the aim of being amusing. For Danish, sarkasme is shown to closely align with sarcasm1, but semantic innovation has been happening in Danish too. A new expression sarkastisk humor overlaps with sarcasm2 but is tailored to fit into Danish humor discourses. The study sheds light on insider understandings and metapragmatic discourses in Anglo and Danish linguacultures. There are cautionary implications for the use of “sarcasm” as a second-order concept.

LINGUISTIC APPROACH TO THE INTERPRETATION OF THE CONCEPT OF ‘A COMMUNITY WITH A SHARED FUTURE FOR MANKIND’

This article is devoted to the interpretation of the key Chinese diplomatic concept of ‘Renlei Mingyun gongtongti’ (‘a community with a shared future for mankind’) based on the theory of Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM), which tries to reduce the semantics of all lexicons to a limited set of semantic primitives. The goals of the study are, firstly, to reveal the essence of this concept in Chinese, secondly, to analyze the options for its translation into English and Russian, and thirdly, to interpret it with the help of Minimal Language, which is the latest development of the theory of NSM. ‘Renlei Mingyun gongtongti’ consists of three parts: ‘renlei’ means the whole of humanity, ‘mingyun’ means all the good and bad events (opportunities and challenges) that humanity will face in the future, and ‘gongtongti’ means the mutual exchange of opportunities and responsibility to challenges. Due to the complexity of these concepts, questions of their perception also arise. These questions force us to find another way of interpretation, namely with the help of words that are semantically simpler, objective and almost universal in all languages of the world, which help to maximize the simplicity and universality of the interpretation of more complex diplomatic concepts. The scientific novelty of the study is that this is the first attempt by Chinese russianists to interpret this diplomatic concept using Minimal Language.

Conceptualization of “happy-like” feelings in Japanese and its relevance to a semantic typology of emotion concepts

ABSTRACT Emotions play a crucial role in human lives, often influencing behaviour. Among others, the feeling expressed by the word happy in English has received particular attention. If, on the one hand, the concept seems basic and likely to exist across languages and cultures, on the other hand, cross-linguistic semantics has shown that even close equivalents in genetically related languages, such as the German glücklich or French heureux, do not exactly correspond in meaning. Although the cross-linguistic differences in the conceptualization of “happy-like” feelings have been emphasized, focus on the cross-linguistic commonalities is insufficient. This study focuses on Japanese “happy-like” concepts, namely ureshii, tanoshii and shiawaseda to examine the question: to what extent are the conceptualizations of “happy-like” feelings similar or different across languages? It describes the meanings of candidates for Japanese near-equivalents of happy in a way that is comparable to other languages by combining the findings from Japanese linguistic studies with the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) framework. Though none of them exactly correspond to the English happy in meaning, investigating “happy-like” concepts from a broader perspective reveals the conceptualizations underlying these concepts in different languages. It implies that although “happy-like” concepts in different languages provide different conceptualizations of emotions, cross-linguistic commonalities may lie beneath them.

Semantic Structure of the Indonesian ‘Die’ Verbs

This article focuses on the analysis of the semantic structure of the Indonesian ‘die’ verbs. The lexicon variations for the Indonesian ‘die‘ verbs depend on to whom and in what way it is perceived when it happens. The Indonesian ‘die’ verbs have their meaning which can be expressed through the study of the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) theoretical framework developed by Goddard and Wierzbicka (2013). The method used is a descriptive method with a qualitative research form. The data analysis technique used four steps including determining the semantic prime,  looking for the derivation of meaning, determining polysemy based on the object,  and paraphrasing meaning. To analyze the meaning of ‘die’ in Indonesian, the data used in this article were collected from the entry word 'mati' obtained from the dictionary https://kbbi.kemdikbud.go.id/entri/mati. The  results  showed  that  there  were  17 lexicons (meninggal dunia, tutup usia, wafat, berpulang, gugur, mangkat,  berlalu, berkalang tanah, berputih tulang, dipanggil Tuhan, mati, mampus, tewas, binasa, koit, modar, and jangkang) reffering  to the  ‘die’  concept, which were then grouped into two categories based  on  the entity and  the  result of  which the  ‘die’ concept  was  implemented.

A Study on English Equivalents of Cantonese Sentence-Final Particles: Zaa3 and Ze1 as an Example

This study explores English equivalents of the Cantonese sentence-final particles (SFPs) zaa3 and ze1 by utilizing Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) explications to analyze their semantic components and roles and conducting a phonetic experiment to find the English intonational equivalents. While zaa3 and ze1 both convey the meaning of “only” or “just” in Cantonese, this research reveals that they differ in connotations, are contextually specific, and their implied meanings cannot be adequately captured through direct translation into English. To address this, the study employs NSM explications as the analytical framework and a phonetic experiment involving research participants of two Cantonese native speakers and one English native speaker is conducted to identify the English intonational equivalents of these Cantonese SFPs. The study aims to answer two research questions: (i) What are the NSM explications of the Cantonese sentence-final particles zaa3 and ze1? (ii) Do either of the two Cantonese SFPs possess English intonational equivalents, and if so, what are they? Zaa3 often conveys a sense of complaint or dissatisfaction, suggesting insufficient quantity, while ze1 typically conveys modesty or humility, implying an unremarkable or ordinary quantity. An NSM explication for zaa3 involves the Cantonese semantic primes M4 DO1, SEONG2 DO1 DI1, which translate to “NOT MORE, WANT MORE” in English equivalents. On the other hand, an NSM explication for ze1 comprises M4 DO1, M4 SEONG2 JAN4 GOK3 DAK1 DO1 in Cantonese semantic primes, corresponding to “NOT MORE, DON’T WANT SOMEONE FEEL MUCH~MANY” in English equivalents. These nuanced implied meanings cannot be effectively conveyed through direct translation alone, requiring consideration of intonation patterns in English. The phonetic experiment conducted using Praat software clearly demonstrates distinct pitch contours when participants read English sentences translated from Cantonese sentences containing zaa3 and ze1, respectively. The findings indicate that the English equivalents of the Cantonese SFP zaa3 encompass the meanings of “only” or “just”, accompanied by a falling pitch contour when speakers read the corresponding English translation. Conversely, the English equivalents of the Cantonese SFP ze1 entail the meanings of “only” or “just”, along with the highest pitch point occurring at the end of the sentence in the English translation. In conclusion, this research sheds light on the English equivalents of the Cantonese SFPs zaa3 and ze1, highlighting their divergent connotations and nuanced implied meanings. The study emphasizes the importance of considering intonation patterns to accurately convey these nuances in English translations.

Applied semantics and climate communication

AbstractThis paper explores ways in which applied semantics (coming out of Natural Semantic Metalanguage approach) can inform effective communicative strategies for action on climate change. After framing discussion, it presents three case studies, which are intentionally disparate in nature: contrastive semantics of the expressions ‘climate crisis’, ‘climate emergency’, and ‘climate catastrophe’; a semantically-enhanced examination of how public inquiries into extreme weather events help shape climate discourse in Australia; the semantics of ‘the economy’ in everyday English and the implications for climate change discourse. We argue that climate action communication is clearer, more resonant, and more effective when it uses or builds on ordinary words and local meanings.

Natural Semantic Metalanguage Analysis of English Speech Act Verb ‘Inform’

Generally, every language has a lexicon that is grouped into classified verbs. Each verb can be broken down into some specific subtypes. Particularly in English, verbs are semantically divided into several subtypes. Verbs such as tell, ask, inform, offer, forgive, and others are belonging to the types of verbs of speech or speech acts. This study aims to analyze natural semantic metalanguage analysis of English speech act verb of inform. In collecting data is using observational method. Therefore, the theory of natural semantic metalanguage (NSM) is used to analyze the data taken from the American Corpus (COCA). By way of explication, the particular lexicon is explained thoroughly to reveal the subtle meaning of semantic features without any bias. The research argues that the four subtypes of the speech act verb "inform" demonstrate varying semantic forms and structures. The distinctions in lexicon become evident within their common semantic domain. Moreover, the four associated lexicons with the verb "inform" possess unique semantic traits and serve specific purposes within speech acts.

Tense-aspect constructions in Jish Arabic: Morphological, syntactic, and semantic features

This paper aims to examine the present and past tense-aspect constructions in Jish Arabic, an undocumented Arabic variety of Upper Galilee (Israel), and delineate their morphological, syntactic, and semantic features. Nine such constructions are identified, and the structure of each construction is discussed. In addition, using the Natural Semantic Metalanguage approach (NSM), an explication (a definition using simple words) of the meaning of each construction is presented. In discussing the Jish Arabic constructions, a comparison is made with their English counterparts, which are chosen as a familiar point of reference. The comparison with English does not make the explications prone to Anglocentrism, as the explications are built via a simple, universal language. This language ensures their translatability into Jish Arabic and their verification by native Jish Arabic speakers. In addition, it makes their meanings accessible to non-specialists, as the explications can be translated into any language. This study can be seen as a contribution to the field of theoretical linguistics, particularly descriptive linguistics, as it documents the tense-aspect constructions of an undocumented variety. In addition, it can be seen as a contribution to the field of applied linguistics, especially as it compares these constructions to their English counterparts. It is hoped that this paper will stimulate the investigation of tense-aspect constructions in other non-standard Arabic varieties, most of which are undocumented.

Based on Natural Semantic Meta-Language (NSM) Theory an Analysis of "Marriage Cultural Lexicons" in the Urdu Language

Based on Natural Semantic Meta-Language (NSM) Theory an Analysis of "Marriage Cultural Lexicons" in the Urdu Language

Semantic Structure Verb ‘open’ in Indonesian and Japanese : Natural Semantic Metalanguage

This study discusses the semantic structure of the verb 'open' in Indonesian and Japanese. This research uses the MSA theory pioneered by Wierzbicka. Data was obtained and collected using the interview method. The results of the findings obtained two categorizations of the verb 'open' in Indonesian and Japanese, they are: a) using tools (by using tools) and b) using hands (by part of body). The semantic structure of the verb 'open' in Indonesian and Japanese is almost similar. Even so, there are several different verbs in the semantic structure, including: meretas (開封するkaifū suru), merintis & merambah (開拓する kaitaku suru), mementang, membentangkan, membeber, menggelar & menghamparkan (広げるhirogeru), dan menyingkap (捲るmekuru & はだけるhadakeru). The difference in the semantic structure of the Indonesian and the Japanese language occurs due to the cultural characteristics of the two peoples and the different language differences. Thus, it also results in a different mindset in each language.

Leaning Meanings in Bima Language: A Study of Natural Semantic Metalanguage

The study of regional languages is a critical component of a nation's cultural and linguistic heritage. As such, it is imperative to conduct in-depth research into the meanings and nuances of regional languages. In this study, the Bima language (ngahi mbojo), which belongs to the Bima-Sumba language family and is widely spoken in the Bima and Dompu districts, was examined to map and explicate verbs with the concept of 'lean'. To gather the necessary data, oral and written sources were used, including storybooks in the Bima language. The research methodology utilized a combination of interviews and literature review, while the verification method was employed to collect and analyze the data. The method, which involves the alteration of form and the use of paraphrasing techniques, was utilized to determine the original meaning of the verb and its explication, resulting in 65 points of analysis. The study revealed that Bima language verbs with 'lean' can be mapped to entities, processes, tools, and results. Specifically, the lexicon used to express the concept of 'leaning' includes maru (sleeping), santengi (leaning), doho (sitting), oko (squatting), kidi (standing), and tu'u (getting up).

Is there justice in this world? A cross-cultural pragmatic analysis of the conceptualisation of ‘justice’

ABSTRACT The present article compares the conceptualisation of the Spanish term justicia and the Russian spravedlivost’ with the English justice to determine the contextual uses and specific cultural features of the concept. The data used in the study is taken from three online corpora – British National Corpus, Corpus de Referencia del Español Actual (CREA), and Russian National Corpus. The investigation proposes the explications of the concept within the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) framework as it offers an effective tool to decompose and specify the linguistic features reflected in the selected languages. The results of the study reveal the main differences and similarities between the three languages and, in sum, prove the relevance of culture-specific semantic analysis of abstract concepts and the use of NSM as a useful tool in cross-cultural studies.

Metalanguage for enabling immigrants and refugees: Relevance of Natural Semantic Metalanguage and Minimal English

We should seek every possible method for educating immigrants and refugees and facilitating communication for them – especially during the current difficult times due to the spread of a killer-pandemic (i.e., Covid-19). To this end, I discuss the role which “metalanguage” could play in this regard, with reference to Natural Semantic Metalanguage/NSM and Minimal English/ME (e.g., Goddard & Wierzbicka, 2007; Goddard & Wierzbicka, 2018). This mainly theoretical contribution will demonstrate how NSM and ME can be powerful pedagogical tools for ethnopragmatic instruction and a mitigator to cross-cultural misunderstanding in intercultural/ international communication. The main merit which I claim is raising awareness about the significance of this well-established project in applied linguistics and demonstrates how it can tie in with the immigrant-and-refugee situation.

Semantic decomposition of four Quranic words

In this paper, the author proposes Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) semantic decompositions of four difficult-to-translate quranic Arabic words using Natural Semantic Metalanguage (Goddard Wierzbicka 2014, Wierzbicka 2021). This is the first study to propose an explicit semantic explication of these core Islamic lexical items, which are foundational for the spiritual worldview of the almost two billion followers of Islam in the world today. The first word considered is rasūl , which refers to intermediaries sent by Allah to humans and is used in the Quran alongside nabī , which has almost the same meaning. An NSM semantic explication of rasūl is contrasted with explications of biblical Hebrew nābā’ ‘prophesy’ and nabī’ ‘prophet’. In English translations of the Quran, rasūl is usually rendered as ‘messenger’ and nabī as ‘prophet’, yet these translations are misleadingly inadequate. Three further quranic concepts are examined, which have received the most diverse and unsatisfactory renderings in English translations of the Quran: shirk ‘association’ and kāfir ‘disbeliever’ refer to two dimensions of disbelief, and ittaqā , a difficult-to-translate verb, refers to cautious piety. The use of Natural Semantic Metalanguage overcomes the resistance of these terms to translation into English, by means of fine-grained semantic explications using semantic primes. These explications are designed to be readily accessible to speakers of languages other than English.

Emotions and attitudes in present day Russian through the prism of new words: Cultural semantics of zhest’ and related concepts

Contemporary Russian lexicon is characterized by rapid change which involves borrowings, the use of new words and expressions as well as the development of new meanings from the existing word forms. The new meanings are indicative of new attitudes or the reinforcement of the existing ones. In this context, the paper considers the recently emerged colloquial use of the word zhest’ (from the primary meaning of zhest’ ‘tin’ as a type of metal) and the increase of use of the words zhestkii ‘hard/tough/firm’ and zhestko ‘firmly/toughly’ as examples of ‘internal’ language processes. The word zhest’ is a colloquial word mainly used in youth slang, but also infiltrating other types of discourse. We analyze its use as an interjection, as well as a noun in predicative and attributive functions. Zhestkii and zhestko are shown to rise in use and to be prevalent in the political discourse as a sign of power. The paper aims to trace the rise in frequency of the words under the analysis, study their semantics and establish links between the meaning of the words and broader Russian cultural themes. This kind of linguistic analysis with focus on cultural aspects allows us to identify culturally prevalent ideas in present day Russian. The paper uses the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) as a method of semantic analysis relying on data from the Russian National Corpus. Based on a detailed semantic analysis, the paper proposes NSM explications of zhest’ , zhestkii and zhestko , identifies connections between their meanings and the cultural themes of ‘emotionality’, ‘not being in control’ and ‘strait talk’, and recognizes the increased cultural salience of these words in present day Russian. The study uncovers trends of the contemporary Russian language uses and can be applied in culture-enhanced language teaching and cross-cultural training.