Semantic Analysis of NSM Theory 语义学角度分析自然语义元语言理论

Semantic Analysis of NSM Theory

Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1 Research Background

In the opening chapter of Semantics: Primes and Universals (1996), Anna Wierzbicka registers her dismay at the turn away from meaning that is visible in much of the study of language carried out over the last half-century or so. To resist this turn, she offers away of approaching the study of language that places meaning once more at its centre, by aiming to develop a rigorously tested semantic theory that holds across languages. This approach culminates in the positing of a collection of semantic universals – semantically primitive (i.e. indefinable) elements common to all languages – that can be used for the explication of the other elements of each language. These primitives, as the semantic cores in all languages, constitute the ‗Natural Semantic Metalanguage‘ (NSM). The semantic prime can be single word, also can turn up as other forms such as phraseme or bound morpheme. It holds the characteristics of indefinability, universality, testability and so on.

Corresponding to semantic primes as the explication units in NSM, reductive paraphrase is the explicating process and method, which depends on primes to build the meanings of other lexical items.

The basic goal of the NSM approach is thus to study meaning. This study is premised on the hypothesis that any natural language can constitute its own metalanguage in such a way that the study of the meanings of the terms of any language can be carried out within that language in a way that avoids both technical jargon and circularity (Goddard, 2002). From this starting point, the semantics of each language can be explicated within that language. Technical jargon can be avoided if the ordinary words of the language suffice to articulate its semantics. More importantly, circularity can be avoided if there is an irreducible basis for the semantic explanation that is not itself in need of definition. The NSM approach tackles the notion of meaning by investigating the empirical adequacy of these hypotheses.

1.2 Significance of the Research

The NSM theory avoids some tricky and common problems like circularity in

explication, ethno-centricism and so on, thus plays an increasing significant role in pragmatics.

1.2.1 Significance in translation

The NSM theory contributes to the understanding and expression of translation process, and help produce the basic mode and frame of translation concept. It was applied to explicate the semantic structure of translation concept so as to better understand the subject.

The forming of traditional translation concept tends to start with analysis of syntactic structure, regarding translation as the continuation of language learning, which is, in a sense, deficient. Whereas from the point of view of cognition-function, the combination of syntax, semantics and pragmatics, that is based on cognitive linguistics, gets around the deficiency mentioned above. The NSM theory is highly practical. Translation will be more faithful to the original by using it.

1.2.2 Significance in foreign language teaching

Tang Jun(2011) analyzed and concluded that the impact of the NSM theory on foreign language teaching embodies three aspects: 1) in lexical teaching, words learning can be expanded to more complicated vocabulary centering on basic simple words; 2) in syntax teaching, sentence learning can be expanded to other more abstract sentence patterns replying on typical syntax; 3) in exotic culture teaching, various cultural essence can be better understood with the bridge of characteristic cultural script.

The NSM theory affords a new perspective to the study of semantic meaning and culture, contributing to the exploration of cultural characteristics behind various complicated language phenomenon and presenting semantic commonness of distinct cultures. It promotes further analysis of the relation of language, concept and meaning, offering foreign language teaching solid foundation and guiding theory for more learning efficiency in class.

1.2.3 Significance in lexicography

One of the vital tasks of the NSM approach is to explicate words, serve lexicography, avoiding circularity and explaining words with more complicated ones.

Zhong Shouman(2008) pointed out that in traditional compilation of dictionary, definitional language with negative implication is very few. Wierzbicka holds that negative sentences are very important in lexicography. Thus she adopted a number of negative sentences when