Semantics of Emotion Concepts 3301-JF286
The aim of this course is to introduce the participants to the principles of cross-linguistic semantic study of emotion words. The main theoretical approach used during the course is the Natural Semantic Metalanguage framework, which has been applied to the study of emotion words across a variety of languages and cultures. We are going to look at the selected aspects of some vocabularies of emotion (in particular, English, Polish, Mandarin Chinese, Tagalog) trying to assess the dimensions of cross-linguistic variability in this domain, as well as to comment on the cultural and communicative significance of such diversity. A semantic view on the question of ''universal emotions'' concludes the course. The topics include:
1. Introduction: Cultures, Emotions, Languages. Emotion words as cultural artefacts: anthropological and ethnolinguistic evidence.
2.Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) as a tool for cross-linguistic semantic analysis of emotion words. Scripts and cognitive scenarios. Types of linguistic evidence for the NSM scripts. Sample explications.
3. 'Anger-like' words in a cross-linguistic perspective: an overview. Comparative evidence from Mandarin Chinese, Polish, and Tagalog.
4. 'Shame-like' words in a cross-linguistic perspective. Emotions of social and moral assessment. English vs. Mandarin Chinese.
5. 'Fear-like' words in a cross-linguistic perspective. Bad feelings in English, Mandarin Chinese, and Polish - towards a comparison.
6. Universal emotions vs. emotional universals (Wierzbicka). A semantic perspective.
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Participants learn the essential principles of representing meanings of emotion words using the Natural Semantic Metalanguage theory across a variety of languages and cultures.
English language instruction at the B2+ level. In class discussions students acquire skills of expressing their thoughts in a clear, coherent, logical and precise manner, with the use of language which is correct grammatically, lexically and phonetically.
Assessment criteria
- Participation in (online) classes (Google Meet)
- Semantic assignments
- Semester paper
Credit assessment criteria may change following the current health regulations at the University of Warsaw. Equivalent assessment criteria may be introduced following the University of Warsaw regulations conveyed to the course participants.
Bibliography
Goddard, C., A.Wierzbicka. 2014. Words and Meanings. Lexical Semantics across Domains, Languages and Cultures. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Harkins, J., A.Wierzbicka (eds.) 2001. Emotions in Crosslinguistic Perspective. Berlin-New York: Mouton de Gruyter.
Wierzbicka, A. 1992. Semantics, Culture, and Cognition: Universal Human Concepts in Culture-Specific Configurations. New York: Oxford University Press.
Wierzbicka, A. 1999. Emotions Across Languages and Cultures: Diversity and Universals. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: