Basic color terms: their universality and evolution

University of California Press • Los Angeles • Published In • Pages: ??•
By Berlin, Brent, Kay, Paul

Abstract

The research presented in this book challenges the notion that languages develop color terms independently of other languages. Authors find a universal inventory of eleven basic color categories from which the basic color terms are drawn. Authors also find an apparent fixed sequence of evolutionary stages through which a language must pass as its color vocabulary increases. A postive correlation between cultural complexity and complexity of color vocabulary is observed.
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: mas  Megan Farrer