Sound–meaning association biases evidenced across thousands of languages

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences • Vol/Iss. 113(39) • National Academy of Sciences • Washington, D.C • Published In • Pages: 10818-10823 •
By Blasi, Damian E., Wichmann, Søren, Hammarström, Harald, Stadler, Peter F., Christiansen, Morten H.

Abstract

Scholars generally agree that, across languages, the relationship between particular sounds and the meaning of words is arbitrary. In this article the authors test this assumption, seeking patterned associations between sound and meaning in the basic vocabulary lists of a large, worldwide sample of languages.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Automated Similarity Judgment Program DatabaseOther researchersBasic Vocabulary Word Lists for 62% of world languages
Glottolog geneaogical classificationOther researchersGrouping and classification of world languages

Hypotheses (1)

HypothesisSupported
Many basic vocabulary items will be associated with specific sounds across world languages.Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: erik.ringen