Universals of sound-symbolism workshop

One proposed design feature of language is that the mapping between form and meaning is arbitrary. Recent computational simulations support this principle, demonstrating there is an advantage for learning arbitrary form-meaning mappings. But there are systematic form-meaning mappings in language – particularly in the domain of expressives, mimetics or ideophones – that seem to defy this design principle. In this two-day workshop, we will explore what types of regularities in form-meaning mappings we might expect to find across languages. In day 1, we will have short presentations on likely form-meaning mapping regularities. Day 2 will explore the possibility of conducting an empirical study to test proposed regularities.

Are form-meaning regularities in mimetics recognised by speakers of other languages? Are all mimetic regularities recognised by speakers of other languages? If not, why not? If so, what does this tell us about the human cognitive system?

Are regularities in form-meaning mappings found in all semantic domains; or are they more likely to be found in some domains than others? What motivates these differences/similarities?

Where and when:

Feb 26-27, 2009

MPI, Nijmegen, room 336

Organizers:

Asifa Majid, Sylvia Tufvesson & Mark Dingemanse