Work

Between versus Within-Language Differences in Linguistic Categorization.

Year: 2016

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: Cross-linguistic research has shown that boundaries for\nlexical categories differ from language to language. The aim\nof this study is to explore these differences between languages\nin relation to the categorization differences within a language.\nMonolingual Dutch- (N=400) and French-speaking (N=300)\nBelgian adults provided lexical category judgments for three\nlexical categories that are roughly equivalent in Dutch and\nFrench. Each category was represented by good, borderline,\nand bad examples. A mixture modeling approach enabled us\nto identify latent groups of categorizers within a language and\nto evaluate cross-linguistic variation in relation to within-\nlanguage variation. We found complex patterns of lexical\nvariation within as well as between language groups. Even\nwithin a seemingly homogeneous group of speakers sharing\nthe same mother tongue, latent groups of categorizers display\na variability that resembles patterns of lexical variation found\nat a cross-linguistic level of comparison.

Source: Lirias

Authors: Anne White, Gert Storms, Barbara C. Malt, Steven Verheyen

Institutions: KU Leuven, Lehigh University

Language: English

Topic: Categorization, perception, and language

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Vlaamse regering

Award: Trivalent Logics and Natural Language Meaning

OpenAlex ID: W2521066040