NSM Homepage
This site contains information and resources about the 'natural semantic metalanguage' (NSM) approach to semantic analysis, which can lay claim to being the most well-developed, comprehensive and practical approach to cross-cultural semantics on the contemporary scene.
The approach is based on evidence that there is a small core of basic, universal meanings, known as semantic primes, which can be found as words or other linguistic expressions in all languages. This common core of meaning can be used as a tool for linguistic and cultural analysis: to explicate complex and culture-specific words and grammatical constructions, and to articulate culture-specific values and attitudes (cultural scripts), in terms which are maximally clear and translatable. The theory also provides a semantic foundation for universal grammar and for linguistic typology. It has applications in intercultural communication, lexicography (dictionary making), language teaching, the study of child language acquisition, legal semantics, and other areas.
The main feature of the site is a bibliography of publications. The main author is Anna Wierzbicka, who is the originator of the theory, but she has many colleagues and collaborators whose works are also listed here. The site also contains introductory material on NSM, including a summary of the current inventory of semantic primes. New information, corrections, and feedback can be sent to me at the address below.
Please note: All the explanatory material has been written as an introductory exposition. I have not tried to make watertight arguments, or to deal with objections and apparent counterexamples, or to be comprehensive in any sense. If you want to follow up in more detail, there is plenty of material in the Bibliographies.
Author's Address
Cliff Goddard
School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences
University of New England
NSW 2351 Australia.
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