Latest Developments in Polish Semantic School: Semantic Molecules Theory and Its Application

doi:10.12002/j.bisu.362

Abstract

Abstract:

As a new paradigm within contemporary cognitive semantics, semantic molecules theory is based on natural semantic metalanguage (NSM) approach, advanced by Anna Wierzbicka, founder of the Polish Semantic School. The core ideas behind the NSM approach can be traced back to the seventeenth century German philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz’s philosophical tradition of rationalism. This paper aims to introduce the latest developments in the Polish Semantic School, focusing on its discussion of the academic basis of semantic molecules theory, its definition and application of the theory in lexical semantic explication. The theory of semantic molecules leads to new ways of understanding vocabulary structure and depicting semantic dependencies and interrelationships. It is hoped that this introduction to semantic molecules theory will offer valuable suggestions for future in-depth research and that it will enrich the research on the Polish Semantic School.

Keywords: semantic molecules theory; Polish Semantic School; natural semantic metalanguage; cognitive semantics

摘要：

波兰语义学派的语义分子理论以自然语义元语言理论为基础,是当代认知语义学中的一种新范式。其背后的哲学思想可以追溯到17世纪德国哲学家莱布尼茨的理性主义传统。本文旨在介绍波兰语义学派的最新发展,重点探讨语义分子理论的学术基础、语义分子的界定及其在词汇语义阐释中的应用。语义分子理论有助于我们重新理解词汇结构,更好地描写语义依存性及其相互关系,为研究者进行更为深入的相关研究提供借鉴,从而进一步丰富这一领域的研究内容。

关键词: 语义分子理论, 波兰语义学派, 自然语义元语言, 认知语义学

CLC Number:

H030

Cliff Goddard, Li Jiongying, Qian Xialu. Latest Developments in Polish Semantic School: Semantic Molecules Theory and Its Application[J]. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2021, 43(6): 18-33.

Cliff Goddard, 李炯英, 钱夏璐. 波兰语义学派的最新发展：语义分子理论及其应用[J]. 北京第二外国语学院学报, 2021, 43(6): 18-33.

Figures/Tables 2

References 33

[1]	Apresjan J D. Lexical Semantics:User’s Guide to Contemporary Russian Vocabulary[M]. Ann Arbor: Karoma, 1992.
[2]	Apresjan J D. Systematic Lexicography[M]. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.
[3]	Couturat L. Opuscules et Fragments Inédits de Leibniz[M]. Paris: Felix Alcan, 1903.
[4]	Dascal M. Leibniz,Language,Signs,and Thought[M]. Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 1987.
[5]	Gladkova A. Russkaja kul’turnaja Semantika:Ėmocii,Cennosti,Žiznennye Ustanovki (Russian Cultural Semantics:Emotions,Values,Attitudes)[M]. Moscow: Languages of Slavonic Cultures, 2010.
[6]	Goddard C. Semantic molecules and semantic complexity(with special reference to “environmental” molecules)[J]. Review of Cognitive Linguistics, 2010, 8(1):123-155.
[7]	Goddard C. Semantic Analysis:A Practical Introduction[M]. 2^nd Ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011.
[8]	Goddard C. A semantic menagerie:The conceptual semantics of ethnozoological categories[J]. Russian Journal of Linguistics, 2018, 22(3):539-559. DOI URL
[9]	Goddard C, & Wierzbicka A. Contrastive semantics of physical activity verbs:‘Cutting’ and ‘chopping’ in English,Polish,and Japanese[J]. Language Sciences, 2009, 31(1):60-96. DOI URL
[10]	Goddard C, & Wierzbicka A. Words and Meanings:Lexical Semantics across Domains,Languages,and Cultures[M]. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014.
[11]	Goddard C, & Wierzbicka A. Global English,Minimal English:Towards Better Intercultural Communication[EB/OL].(2015-07-02)[2018-09-18]. http://hrc.anu.edu.au/sites/hrc.anu.edu.au/files/u78/Global_English_Minimal_English%20position%20papers.pdf.
[12]	Goddard C, & Wierzbicka A. Explicating the English lexicon of ‘doing and happening’[J]. Functions of Language, 2016, 23(2):214-256. DOI URL
[13]	Lemanek K. Issues with molecules in natural semantic metalanguage[J/OL]. Language Sciences, 2019, 77:101239[2020-02-01]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.langsci.2019.101239. DOI URL
[14]	Levisen C. Cultural Semantics and Social Cognition:A Case Study on the Danish Universe of Meaning[M]. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter, 2012.
[15]	Mel’čuk I A. Semantic primitives from the viewpoint of the Meaning-Text Linguistic Theory[J]. Quaderni di Semantica, 1989, 10(1):65-102.
[16]	Mel’čuk I A. Semantics:From Meaning to Text[M]. Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 2012.
[17]	Peeters B. Semantic Primes and Universal Grammar:Evidence from the Romance Languages[M]. Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 2006.
[18]	Sibly A. Harry slapped Hugo,Tracey smacked Richie:The semantics of slap and smack[J]. Australian Journal of Linguistics, 2010, 30(3):323-348. DOI URL
[19]	Wierzbicka A. Semantic Primitives[M]. Athenaum: Frankfurt am Main, 1972.
[20]	Wierzbicka A. Semantic complexity:Conceptual primitives and the principle of substitutability[J]. Theoretical Linguistics, 1991, 17(1-3):75-98.
[21]	Wierzbicka A. The semantics of interjection[J]. Journal of Pragmatics, 1992, 18(2-3):159-192. DOI URL
[22]	Wierzbicka A. Semantics:Primes and Universals[M]. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.
[23]	Wierzbicka A. English:Meaning and Culture[M]. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.
[24]	Wierzbicka A. Why there are no ‘colour universals’ in language and thought[J]. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 2008, 14(2):407-425. DOI URL
[25]	Wierzbicka A. The theory of the mental lexicon[C]//Sebastian K,Peter K,Tilman B,et al. The Slavic Languages:An International Handbook of Their Structure,Their History and Their Investigation. Berlin:Mouton de Gruyter, 2009:848-863.
[26]	Wierzbicka A. The idea of a ‘spoon’:Semantics,prehistory,and cultural logic[J]. Language Sciences, 2015, 47:66-83. DOI URL
[27]	Wierzbicka A. The meaning of kinship terms:A developmental and cross-linguistic perspective[C]// Ye Zhengdao. The Semantics of Nouns. Oxford:Oxford University Press, 2017:19-62.
[28]	Wong J O. The Culture of Singapore English[M]. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014.
[29]	Ye Zhengdao.Why the “inscrutable” Chinese face? Emotionality and facial expression in Chinese[C]// Goddard C. Ethnopragmatics:Understanding Discourse in Cultural Context. Berlin:Mouton de Gruyter, 2006:127-169.
[30]	李炯英. 波兰语义学派概述[J]. 外语教学与研究, 2005, 37(5):377-382.
[31]	李炯英. 波兰语义学派的哲学基础及其六大核心思想--波兰语义学派研究之五[J]. 当代外语研究, 2011(11):8-11,51.
[32]	李炯英. 波兰语义学派:理论、方法与比较[M]. 北京: 外语教学与研究出版社, 2020.
[33]	李炯英, 李葆嘉. NSM理论的研究目标、原则和方法[J]. 当代语言学, 2007, 9(1):68-77.

手、嘴、眼、头、耳、鼻、脸、腿、牙、手指、乳房、皮肤、骨、血 hands、mouth、eyes、head、ears、nose、face、legs、teeth、fingers、breasts、skin、bones、blood	身体—部位 Body-Parts
长的、圆的、扁的、薄的、硬的、软的、锋利的、光滑的、重的、甜的、看上去像 long、round、flat、thin、hard、soft、sharp、smooth、heavy、sweet、looks like	物理的 Physical
在某东西上面、在顶部、在底部、在中间、在前面、在周围 be on something、at the top、at the bottom、in the middle、in front of、around	空间的物理的 Spatial/Physical
天空、地球、太阳、月亮、地面、在白天、在晚上 sky、the Earth、sun、moon、ground、during the day、at night	环境的 Environmental
火、水 fire、water	火与水 Fire and Water
生灵、生长、鸡蛋、尾巴、翅膀、羽毛 a creature、grow、egg、tail、wings、feathers	生物的 Biological
出生、儿童、男人、女人、母亲、父亲、妻子、丈夫 be born、children、men、women、mother、father、wife、husband	生物社会学的 Biosocial
认识（某人）、被称为 know (someone)、be called	认知命名 Knowing and Naming
拿拎、做、杀、玩、笑、唱 hold、make、kill、play、laugh、sing	行为活动 Actions/Activities

手、嘴、眼、头、耳、鼻、脸、腿、牙、手指、乳房、皮肤、骨、血 hands、mouth、eyes、head、ears、nose、face、legs、teeth、fingers、breasts、skin、bones、blood	身体—部位 Body-Parts
长的、圆的、扁的、薄的、硬的、软的、锋利的、光滑的、重的、甜的、看上去像 long、round、flat、thin、hard、soft、sharp、smooth、heavy、sweet、looks like	物理的 Physical
在某东西上面、在顶部、在底部、在中间、在前面、在周围 be on something、at the top、at the bottom、in the middle、in front of、around	空间的物理的 Spatial/Physical
天空、地球、太阳、月亮、地面、在白天、在晚上 sky、the Earth、sun、moon、ground、during the day、at night	环境的 Environmental
火、水 fire、water	火与水 Fire and Water
生灵、生长、鸡蛋、尾巴、翅膀、羽毛 a creature、grow、egg、tail、wings、feathers	生物的 Biological
出生、儿童、男人、女人、母亲、父亲、妻子、丈夫 be born、children、men、women、mother、father、wife、husband	生物社会学的 Biosocial
认识（某人）、被称为 know (someone)、be called	认知命名 Knowing and Naming
拿拎、做、杀、玩、笑、唱 hold、make、kill、play、laugh、sing	行为活动 Actions/Activities