Natural Semantic Metalanguage: The state of the art

Abstract

This chapter gives an overview of the Natural Semantic Metalanguage approach to semantic analysis, originated by Anna Wierzbicka. It enumerates the main theoretical and methodological arguments underpinning the approach, and reviews the 35 year program of conceptual analysis and cross-linguistic testing which has led to the current model of 63 semantic primes and their associated syntax. Identification issues concerning polysemy, allolexy, portmanteau exponents and apparent lexical gaps are discussed with reference to specific examples from a variety of languages. The chapter then turns to the methodology and practice of semantic description, discussing and illustrating how NSM techniques can be applied to different areas of the lexicon. The relatively new concepts of semantic molecules and semantic templates are discussed in some detail. The chapter concludes with a brief review of the contents of the volume.