3. Language, memory, and concepts of memory: Semantic diversity and scientific psychology
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John Sutton
Abstract
In a theoretical commentary on the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) approach to the semantics of memory and remembering, this paper argues that evidence of rich cross-linguistic diversity in this domain is entirely compatible with the best interpretations of our interdisciplinary cognitive sciences. In particular, it responds to Anna Wierzbicka’s critique of contemporary psychology, suggests some specific modifications to her proposed explications of some ways of talking about what happened before, and questions her claim that certain historically contingent features of modern Western views of memory are built in to the semantics of English terms. The paper concludes by suggesting a different approach to semantic diversity and the study of memory, and a more positive vision of a culturallysensitive interdisciplinary science.
Abstract
In a theoretical commentary on the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) approach to the semantics of memory and remembering, this paper argues that evidence of rich cross-linguistic diversity in this domain is entirely compatible with the best interpretations of our interdisciplinary cognitive sciences. In particular, it responds to Anna Wierzbicka’s critique of contemporary psychology, suggests some specific modifications to her proposed explications of some ways of talking about what happened before, and questions her claim that certain historically contingent features of modern Western views of memory are built in to the semantics of English terms. The paper concludes by suggesting a different approach to semantic diversity and the study of memory, and a more positive vision of a culturallysensitive interdisciplinary science.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- About the editor and contributors ix
- 1. Introduction: The language of memory 1
- 2. Is "remember" a universal human concept? "Memory" and culture 13
- 3. Language, memory, and concepts of memory: Semantic diversity and scientific psychology 41
- 4. Standing up your mind: Remembering in Dalabon 67
- 5. The conceptualisation of remembering and forgetting in Russian 97
- 6. A "lexicographic portrait" of forgetting 119
- 7. 'Memorisation', learning and cultural cognition: The notion of bèi ('auditory memorisation') in the written Chinese tradition 139
- 8. A corpus-based analysis of German (sich) erinnern 181
- 9. "Do you remember where you put the key?": The Korean model of remembering 209
- 10. The language of memory in East Cree 235
- 11. Remember, remind , and forget in Amharic 263
- Author index 279
- Language index 281
- Subject index 283
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- About the editor and contributors ix
- 1. Introduction: The language of memory 1
- 2. Is "remember" a universal human concept? "Memory" and culture 13
- 3. Language, memory, and concepts of memory: Semantic diversity and scientific psychology 41
- 4. Standing up your mind: Remembering in Dalabon 67
- 5. The conceptualisation of remembering and forgetting in Russian 97
- 6. A "lexicographic portrait" of forgetting 119
- 7. 'Memorisation', learning and cultural cognition: The notion of bèi ('auditory memorisation') in the written Chinese tradition 139
- 8. A corpus-based analysis of German (sich) erinnern 181
- 9. "Do you remember where you put the key?": The Korean model of remembering 209
- 10. The language of memory in East Cree 235
- 11. Remember, remind , and forget in Amharic 263
- Author index 279
- Language index 281
- Subject index 283
