Size of color lexicon: interaction of cultural and biological factors

American Anthropologist • Vol/Iss. 80 • Published In • Pages: 364-367 •
By Ember, Melvin

Abstract

Different languages contain different numbers of basic colors. One interpretation is that more complex societies will have more basic color terms. Another interpretation is that peoples with less pigmented eyes will have more basic color terms. This paper suggests that both interpretations are necessary in order to predict the number of basic color terms.
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Jessie Cohen