Semantic codability in folk taxonomy: A cultural-linguistic perspective

Abstract

A language definition is presented in the introduction without further detailed explanation, but it is given to show how language is viewed from a general perspective that encompasses most of its domains. Every word or phrase in this definition may rightly correspond to an independent branch in language studies. The aim of this study is to investigate the codability of meaning through examples taken from the dialect of a countryside in Marib, Yemen, specifically words related to animals and plants. The assumption in this study is that if the connotational features of meaning components are coded within the meaning of words, then these words are coined according to the need of the speaking community. As languages differ in selecting criterial features, they also differ in forming designata that pertain to the same extra-linguistic world. The main question in this study is: What is the nature of folk semantic codability? Is it a taxonomy or a partonomy? This ‘semantic codability’ of a word is the cause for non-equivalence in translation across languages. The emic perspective—description without analysis—was implemented in this study. Vocabulary related to domestic animals and wild plants were analysed by looking into their hierarchal relations. The relationship between words and concepts are also reviewed to exemplify their existence and frequencies in a language community due to interests, needs, concerns of that community. It is found that the purpose of semantic codability is to create specific labels (subordinates) for a general concept (superordinate), where this purpose plays a part as an economic communicative technique. There is a lack of richness among words related to animals’ taxonomies, which we rationalize to lack of interest in the language community. The conclusion is that semantic codability is driven by need and frequency of use, whether for taxonomy or partonomy.