This subproject examines the linguistic codability of simple perceptual experiences and seeks to understand why there might be differential codability or ineffability of the senses. To what extent is differential codability a result of our cognitive architecture, a question of how language hooks up to other representational systems and to what extent is it a question of local cultural preoccupation such that we could have developed rich resources for talking about smells and tastes?

To address this question, a standardized set of stimuli of color patches, geometric shapes, simple sounds, tactile textures, smells and tastes have been used to elicit descriptions from speakers of more than a dozen languages. The languages are typologically, genetically and geographically diverse, representing a wide-range of subsistence modes (hunter-gatherer to industrial), ecological zones (rainforest jungle to desert) and dwelling types (rural and urban). We examine how codable the different sensory modalities are by comparing how consistent speakers are in how they describe the materials in each modality.

Researchers

• Cindy Batch , Karen Emmorey & Brenda Nicodemus on American Sign Language
• Penelope Brown on Tzeltal
• Niclas Burenhult & Asifa Majid on Jahai
• Mark Dingemanse on Siwu
• Nick Enfield on Lao
• Sebastian Fedden on Mian
• Neil Fox , Breish Rowe , Adam Schembri & Bencie Woll on British Sign Language
• Rik van Gijn on Yurakaré
• Clair Hill on Umpila
• Olivier Le Guen on Yucatec
• Stephen C. Levinson on Yélî Dnye
• Asifa Majid on English
• Horosi Nakagawa on G|ui
• Ozge Ozturk on Turkish
• Christian Rapold on Benchnon
• Rogayah Razak on Malay
• Gunter Senft on Kilivila
• Shakila Shayan on Farsi
• Mark Sicoli on Zapotec
• Hilário de Sousa on Cantonese
• Sylvia Tufvesson on Semai
• Connie de Vos on Kata Kolok

Contact persons

Stephen C. Levinson and Asifa Majid