aUI Equivalencies for NSM Semantic Primes
by Andrea Weilgart
The Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) is based on semantically primitive words that were found in over 30 languages from 16 different language groups. Also referred to as ‘primes’, they are considered universal in that they have the same translation in every language, and primitive in that they cannot be defined using any simpler words.
“The NSM approach is based on evidence that there is a small core of basic, universal meanings, known as semantic primes, which can be expressed by 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 explain the meanings of complex and culture-specific words and grammatical constructions (using semantic explications), and to articulate culture-specific values and attitudes (using cultural scripts). The theory also provides a semantic foundation for universal grammar and for linguistic typology.”
https://intranet.secure.griffith.edu.au/schools-departments/natural-semantic-metalanguage
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_semantic_metalanguage
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Such a set of proposed semantic primes is also what the philosophical, a priori language, aUI, which originated in the early 1950s, is built on. NSM is hence the most closely related scientific work, even though their final goals differ. aUI was designed as an actual spoken language with a transparent relationship to reality, whereas NSM functions as a tool for linguistic meta-analysis.
And because the NSM is based on an extensive body of ongoing research (begun in the early 1970s) I consider its findings to be corroborating evidence for aUI’s primes.
It is thus interesting to note that of the current list of 65 NSM primes 27 correspond directly or are closely related to aUI primes = 44%.
Of the 42 aUI primes (incl. numerals) these 27 direct or close NSM primes would amount to 69% (or 27/31 = 87% of aUI primes if numerals were excluded).
Note: Capitalized words in the [Summary Formulations] refer to the aUI elements of meaning or semantic primes, whereas lower case words indicate combinations. Translations in red indicate direct or closely related representation within the aUI primes. For further information: https://auilanguage.space/
Alternatively, you can download the PDF with the table below to analyze it more thoroughly: https://auilanguage.com/nsm_aui.pdf
