Cross-language parallels in parental kin terms

Anthropological Linguistics • Vol/Iss. 1 • Published In 1959 • Pages: 1-5 •

By Murdock, George Peter

Abstract

This article examines the universal tendency for languages, regardless of their historical relationships, to develop similar words for mother and father on the basis of nursery forms. Findings suggest that Ma, Na, Pa, and Ta are significantly more common sound classes denoting the mother or father.

Samples
Sample Used	Coded Data	Comment
World Ethnographic Sample (WES)	Researchers Own

Hypotheses (2)
Hypothesis	Supported
Nasal consonants, non-nasal labial stops, and low vowels will the sounds most frequently used by young children to denote the mother and father (1).	Supported
Ma and Na sound classes will be used for the mother, while Pa and Ta sound classes will be used for the father (2, 4).	Supported

Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Jessie Cohen Amelia Piazza

Cross-language parallels in parental kin terms

Anthropological Linguistics • Vol/Iss. 1 • Published In 1959 • Pages: 1-5 • Cite

By Murdock, George Peter

Abstract

Samples

Hypotheses (2)

Anthropological Linguistics • Vol/Iss. 1 • Published In 1959 • Pages: 1-5 •